[phatneff]

In the NFHS soccer rule book, it states Rules 1.4.1 Situation D: During play, a goal gets moved back off the goal line (away from the field), and the entire ball passes beyond the goal line, but does not pass beyond the goal posts and under the cross bar because the goal is not in its proper position. A goal is awarded. Ruling: Correct decision. The goal shall be assumed to be in the proper position.

That seems pretty clear to me, that the LINE is the basis for the goal to be judged.

However, in USSF, Law 10 states Referees should signal a goal only when it is absolutely clear that the ball has wholly crossed the goal line, beneath the crossbar and between the goal posts.

I haven't seen any ATR's or Position Papers that states anything differently, unless I overlooked them. So is the below comment a fair assessment?

If both elements (goal and line) are present, you have to adhere to the Law. So if the goal happens to be a foot in front of the line, and the ball crosses over the plane of the goal posts and crossbar but NOT over the line, it can't be a goal. The same goes for the opposite. If the goal is a foot behind the line and the ball completely crosses the line but not completely through the posts and crossbar, it's NOT a goal.

If a line isn't present, then you the Law applies to the goal only and vice versa if there is a line and no goal.