How to Set Your Team Up for Glory the Night Before Gov Cup

The team photo is the first vibe check you’ll find at Gov Cup (so don’t be late or lost)

Alright, Gov Cup is almost here. You’ve been texting the group chat all week, everyone’s arguing about who's playing striker, and someone’s already asked, “Do we need matching socks?” (You don’t, but it helps.)

So let’s talk about what matters the night before the big one—and how your team can show up ready to win it all.

Team Dinner = The Real Secret Weapon

Grab your crew and hit up your go-to group dining spot. This isn’t just about carb-loading (though yes, load the carbs). It’s about getting on the same page before you even touch the ball.

While you're passing around plates, figure out:

Who’s playing where?

What’s the vibe—are we pressing high, parking the bus, or going full chaos?

Who’s in charge of bringing extra water and snacks (aka MVP)?

Oh, and agree on the one rule for tomorrow: nobody ghosting in the group chat.

Show Up Early So You Can Warm Up Together.

Don’t be late for registration, or miss your team photo for that matter. Kick around, stretch, do some rondos or short-sided keep-away. It doesn’t have to be intense, just enough to wake up the legs and dial in the focus.

Plus, when you warm up as a squad, it looks like you know what you’re doing. That counts for something.

Wanna Win It All? Play Smart.

The Governor’s Cup is a full-day tournament. You’ve got multiple games, short halves, and only 7 players at a time. Winning isn’t about being the most talented team—it’s about being the smartest one. Here’s how to play it like a pro:

Rotate Like It’s the World Cup

Sub early, sub often. Keep everyone fresh. Don’t burn your best players out in the first group stage game.

Don’t Lose Shape

Chasing the ball all over the field = death. Stay organized, cover for each other, and make sure someone is always thinking about defense.

Attack At All Costs to Score First, Then Protect the Nest

Early goals are gold. If you get one, settle in and play smart. If you’re down? No panic. These games are short—one good play can flip everything.

Between Games = Recovery Mode

Find shade. Sit down. Eat something. Refill your water. Don’t wander off for a 40-minute burrito run (unless you’re bringing extras).

Championship Energy > Everything

The teams that win? They stay locked in and have fun. They hype each other up. They know when to get serious and when to laugh off a bad pass.

You never know—tomorrow might just be your team’s day.