MLS and U.S. Soccer reconcile over U.S. Open Cup

As a compromise, eight of the 26 U.S.-based MLS teams will compete in the 96-team tournament, while the remaining nine will feature a third-division development team known as MLS Next Pro. .

As a result, nine MLS organizations will lose their presence, including three-time tournament champion DC United.

United's first team was excluded due to their poor performance in the 2023 MLS season. United is also the only US-based MLS club without an MLS Next Pro team. He is no longer the majority owner of second division Loudoun United, which plays in the Open Cup.

“We definitely wanted to be a part of it,” D.C. coach Troy Resene said.

MLS and USSF officials said they will continue to work toward a long-term solution for the competition, but it remains unclear whether all top MLS teams will return to full participation next year.

The 110-year-old US Open Cup, modeled after England's FA Cup, features teams from amateurs to professionals competing in a single-elimination tournament held alongside the league season. The tournament is organized by the sport's national governing body, the USSF, which says it is the third longest continuously running national cup tournament in the world.

“I'm glad [the USSF] “We were able to hold the tournament in a satisfactory manner,” said MLS Executive Vice President Nelson Rodriguez. “The Open Cup can and should evolve into a state that is a better experience for everyone.”

MLS has complained about the competition for years, complaining about its financial burden, crowded schedule and demands on players. But the league created its own crowd last year when it launched the League's Cup, which featured all 47 teams from MLS and Mexican Liga MX. In response to this, MLS will suspend its regular season for one month. Unlike the Open Cup, MLS (and Liga MX) control revenue and television rights.

This winter, the USSF rejected MLS' application to send the MLS Next Pro Team. MLS's pivot also appears to violate the USSF's sanction requirements for the league to participate in the Open Cup.

Rodriguez said lifting sanctions “has never been a topic” in recent talks with the USSF.

MLS and USSF did not elaborate on the financial changes, but the USSF said it was making “the largest-ever investment in the tournament to enhance financial incentives for participating teams and enhance promotion, including significantly increased travel expenses.” We will do so.” The state of the tournament.

To ease scheduling, only one MLS team that competes in the Concacaf Champions Cup, an international tournament held earlier this year, will also compete in the U.S. Open Cup. That's defending USOC champion Houston.

Other MLS teams competing in the Open Cup, which begins in the Round of 32 in early May, are Atlanta, Dallas, Kansas City, Los Angeles FC, Real Salt Lake, San Jose and Seattle. Starting in the first round this month, MLS Next Pro Teams will represent Austin, Chicago, Charlotte, Colorado, Minnesota, LA Galaxy, New York City FC, New York Red Bulls, and Portland.

“I love this idea [the U.S. Open Cup]But I think we needed to improve over the years,” Kansas City coach Peter Vermes said. “Wouldn't it be great for everyone to be a part of it? Absolutely. But right now, given the congestion of the schedule, it's the right decision.”