All articles tagged with #us open cup
Major League Soccer has agreed to field all 27 of its U.S.-based clubs in the 2027 U.S. Open Cup, ending a three-year partial withdrawal. The tournament, run by U.S. Soccer, will feature a new schedule with MLS teams entering in July and the final held in December, aligning with the league's transition to a fall-to-spring calendar.
The 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup begins March 17–19 with a 32-game First Round where 32 Open Division amateur clubs face 32 Division II/III pro teams. All First Round games are streamed, with CBS Sports as the multi‑media rights partner and select matches on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Network, plus YouTube coverage from US Soccer. Notable first-round matchups include Vermont Green FC vs. Portland Hearts of Pine, FC Motown vs. Hartford Athletic, Indy Eleven vs. Des Moines Menace, and BOHFS St. Louis vs. Union Omaha. The tournament spans seven rounds, runs through October, MLS NEXT Pro teams join in the Round of 32, and the winner earns $1 million and a berth in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup.
D.C. United fired head coach Troy Lesesne after a 5-2 loss to Nashville SC in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals, with the club already lining up a permanent replacement and dismissing top assistant Zach Prince.
Austin FC forward Brandon Vazquez has suffered a season-ending injury during the US Open Cup, impacting his team's campaign.
The U.S. Soccer Federation and Apple announced that the final three rounds of the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup will be streamed live for free on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, starting with the Quarterfinals on July 9-10. This will provide global access to the tournament's final seven matches, including the Semifinals and Final, with extensive coverage and high-quality production.
The 2024 U.S. Open Cup will feature a new format with only eight Major League Soccer teams and 11 MLS Next Pro teams participating. The tournament will see changes in economics, travel coverage, and team participation, with the exclusion of some MLS teams like Lionel Messi's Inter Miami. The schedule for the tournament has been announced, and discussions are ongoing regarding future participation and format changes.
MLS will participate in the U.S. Open Cup with a modified approach, as only eight of its U.S.-based teams will enter the 96-team competition, while nine others will use their developmental squads from the third division, MLS Next Pro. This decision leaves nine MLS organizations without a presence in the tournament, including D.C. United. The U.S. Soccer Federation aims to enhance financial incentives for participating teams and increase promotion of the tournament, while also addressing scheduling demands. MLS and USSF officials will continue to work toward long-term solutions for the tournament, but it remains unclear whether all MLS first teams will return to full participation next year.
The power dynamics in American soccer are shifting, with MLS exerting significant influence over the U.S. Open Cup. The U.S. Soccer Federation has compromised with MLS, allowing only eight of its 26 eligible teams to participate in the 2024 Open Cup, along with eleven "MLS Next Pro" teams. This compromise reflects the growing influence of MLS owners and the league's financial contributions to U.S. Soccer, raising questions about who truly controls the sport and highlighting the federation's dependency on MLS.
The format for the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup has been finalized, featuring 96 teams from amateur and professional ranks playing 95 games from March to September. The tournament will include the most matchups ever between amateur and professional teams, with the First Round exclusively featuring such matchups. U.S. Soccer has made its largest-ever investment in the tournament, with new commercial partners and increased financial incentives for participating teams. The schedule includes rounds from March to September, with the winner earning $300,000 in prize money and a berth in the 2025 Concacaf Champions League.
U.S. Soccer and MLS have announced that eight MLS teams and 11 MLS Next Pro teams will participate in the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, with increased financial incentives and travel reimbursements for participating teams. The tournament will also include lower division teams from USL and NISA. The format will feature 32 amateur clubs and 32 professional teams in the first round, with the winners advancing to subsequent rounds. MLS and U.S. Soccer are working together to enhance the tournament and grow soccer in the country, while USL clubs are committed to participating and treating the tournament with respect.
The future of the U.S. Open Cup is uncertain as Major League Soccer (MLS) seeks to alter its participation, citing concerns about fixture congestion and the tournament's commercial viability. A recent ruling by the European Court of Justice in favor of the European Super League has provided MLS owners with a precedent that governing bodies may not have full control over club competitions, leading to discussions with U.S. Soccer about the tournament's format. The U.S. Open Cup, the oldest ongoing competition in American soccer, holds significance for both amateur and professional clubs, but faces challenges in gaining traction among MLS fans.
MLS commissioner Don Garber criticized the Professional Soccer Referees Association for their approach to collective bargaining and expressed frustration over the lockout of match officials. He also addressed the league's participation in the U.S. Open Cup, stating that MLS has been supporting and subsidizing the tournament for a long time but is dealing with schedule congestion and is looking for ways to decrease its participation.
The United Soccer League (USL) CEO expressed disappointment with the handling of a dispute involving Major League Soccer (MLS) and the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, which has caused uncertainty for the tournament's future. The issue arose when MLS announced its first teams wouldn't participate, leading to concerns about the impact on USL teams and the tournament's financial viability. The U.S. Soccer Federation's decision-making process and MLS' scheduling challenges have contributed to the ongoing disagreement, with the exact format for the 2024 tournament yet to be determined.
The 2024 U.S. Open Cup is set to proceed with potential limited MLS participation, causing disappointment among USL clubs and their president, Paul McDonough, who felt blindsided by the uncertainty and lack of leadership from U.S. Soccer. The tournament, which typically includes around 100 men's professional, semi-pro, and amateur clubs, has been marred by a power struggle and financial concerns, leading to potential changes in MLS involvement and the possibility of some USL teams choosing not to participate.
Major League Soccer (MLS) attempted to exit the US Open Cup, the country's oldest soccer competition, in order to maintain control and profit. However, US Soccer intervened, reminding MLS that they do not have the authority to make such a decision. While it remains unclear how US Soccer will enforce teams' participation, some teams may prioritize other competitions, while others may take the Open Cup seriously. This incident highlights MLS's disregard for fan interests and its focus on profit.