Major League Soccer (MLS) will reportedly allow all 27 US-based teams to participate in the US Open Cup next year. This move, reported by Backheeled, would reverse a period of limited MLS involvement in the tournament.
Since 2024, MLS had restricted the number of its teams entering the competition, a decision that generated controversy. The potential return of all US-based MLS teams signifies a significant shift in the league’s approach to the long-standing soccer tournament.
Key Facts
- MLS reportedly will return all 27 US-based teams to the US Open Cup.
- MLS had limited participation since 2024 Open Cup.
- League decision to withdraw teams was controversial.
- The US Open Cup has been running continuously since 1914.
- Two editions of the US Open Cup were skipped due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
How did we get here?
Major League Soccer has maintained a period of limited participation in the US Open Cup since 2024. This decision to withdraw a significant number of its teams from the competition was met with controversy. The US Open Cup is the United States’ oldest soccer competition, established in 1914, and operates as a single-elimination tournament. Historically, it has included teams from all levels of the US men’s soccer system, including amateur and semi-pro teams. MLS teams, which represent the first division, traditionally enter at the later stages of the cup. With the exception of one edition, an MLS team has won every US Open Cup since the league began play in 1996.
What is the significance of this move?
The reported return of all 27 US-based MLS teams to the US Open Cup would conclude a three-year period during which the league withheld its teams from the competition. This tournament is comparable to England’s FA Cup, involving various levels of soccer clubs. The US Open Cup has a rich history, running continuously for over a century, with only two editions skipped in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The full participation of MLS teams could restore the competitive balance and broad appeal that the tournament has historically enjoyed, ensuring that professional teams compete against those from lower divisions, fostering a more inclusive soccer environment.
What We Know — and What We Don’t
Verified by the source:
- MLS had limited participation in the US Open Cup since 2024.
- The league’s decision to limit team participation was controversial.
- The US Open Cup is the oldest soccer competition in the United States.
- The US Open Cup has been running continuously since 1914.
Still unconfirmed:
- The exact date the reported change in MLS participation will officially take effect.
- Specific details regarding the tournament format with the return of all MLS teams.
- Official statements from MLS or the US Open Cup organizers confirming the report.
Why It Matters
The reported full return of MLS teams to the US Open Cup is significant for the broader landscape of US soccer. It could strengthen the tradition of the national cup competition, providing more opportunities for lower-division teams to compete against top-tier clubs and for fans to witness these matchups. This would bring a renewed sense of legitimacy and competitive excitement to the tournament.
What to Watch
Readers should watch for official announcements from Major League Soccer or the US Soccer Federation regarding the US Open Cup participation for the upcoming season. Further reports may clarify the terms of this reported return.