MLS teams to fully participate in U.S. Open Cup for first time since 2023
Major League Soccer teams are set to fully re-enter the U.S. Open Cup, the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the United States. MLS clubs had been absent or only partially involved since 2023 amid a dispute over scheduling, broadcasting, and the role of MLS's reserve league (MLS NEXT Pro). The return of full participation marks a significant development for the tournament, which traditionally pits professional clubs against lower-division and amateur sides. The move is expected to restore the competition's prestige and give fans the traditional David-vs-Goliath matchups that have historically defined the Open Cup.
Read the full story at nytimes.comThe full return of MLS clubs to the U.S. Open Cup restores a competition that had lost much of its competitive edge during the league's hiatus. The Open Cup has long been a showcase for Cinderella stories and a key pathway for lower-division and amateur clubs to test themselves against top-flight opposition. With MLS sides back, the tournament regains its traditional format and prestige, while lower-division clubs get the marquee matchups that make the competition special. The resolution of the underlying dispute over scheduling and competition structure also signals a healthier relationship between MLS and U.S. Soccer.
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Data source: nytimes.com (via Socc360). Last updated .
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