With the conclusion of the Leagues Cup, the tournament between the Mexican and American leagues that crowned the Columbus Crew champions, it is now time for the U.S. Open Cup to take center stage. Three Major League Soccer teams are still in contention for the trophy.
Today, two teams, LAFC and Seattle Sounders, will take to the field to decide on this year’s second finalist. The winner will face Sporting Kansas City in the final, who defeated the second division team Indy Eleven. In a year that has gone very poorly for Sporting, coach Peter Vermes’ team finds itself in the final of a tournament, awaiting the outcome of tonight’s game. The value of an alternative path to win in American soccer cannot be understated.
The winners of the U.S. Open Cup also secure a coveted spot in the CONCACAF Champions League, opening a direct path to international competition. For MLS teams looking to stand out on the global stage, including participating in the new FIFA Club World Cup, securing this qualification is invaluable. In the Open Cup, just five wins are needed to achieve it.
Other reasons why the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is crucial for MLS teams
Support for Lower Division Teams
The U.S. Open Cup is also a crucial source of revenue for amateur and lower-division teams. Games against MLS opponents often draw significantly larger crowds than usual, providing a financial boost for these smaller clubs and highlighting the tournament’s role in supporting the broader U.S. soccer community as it continues to develop. It also allows MLS crowds to be introduced to other lower-division teams, which is an integral part of the soccer culture-building process in this country.
Developing Emerging Players
The tournament allows MLS teams to give valuable playing time to younger or less experienced players. It’s an opportunity to highlight emerging talent, one reason MLS initially wanted only its development teams to participate in the competition.
Challenges and Criticism of the U.S. Open Cup
Despite its importance, the U.S. Open Cup has been criticized by some MLS executives, who feel it does not align with the high standards of professionalism expected in American soccer. Comments from MLS Commissioner Don Garber suggested the tournament did not always present MLS teams in the best light.
The initial decision to exclude ALL MLS teams from the competition infuriated fans and many who cover the sport. Then came the decision that teams participating in the 2024 CONCACAF Champions League would be the only ones excluded from the U.S. Open Cup. The back-and-forth sparked further discussion about the tournament’s role and the priorities of MLS teams. Ultimately, the second decision resulted from MLS backing down and allowing teams not participating in the CCL to use their main squads in the tournament, a massive mixed-messaging blunder for MLS.
Cultural and Structural Significance
The open nature of the U.S. Open Cup, which allows both amateur and professional teams to participate, reflects the inclusive spirit of American soccer. This format contrasts with the closed leagues often seen in Europe, providing a distinctive cultural element that is essential to soccer’s identity in the United States. This has been one of the major criticisms of MLS, which establishes a monopoly on top-flight soccer in the United States without allowing access to teams from the country’s lower leagues, such as the USL.
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup remains vital to MLS teams. Just ask Peter Vermes and Sporting Kansas City. It offers a unique combination of historical significance, international opportunities, and financial benefits to the broader soccer community.
For MLS and the U.S. federation, finding the right balance between the U.S. Open Cup and other priorities, such as the Leagues Cup, will be essential to preserving the importance and influence of the world’s oldest soccer tournament on the Major League Soccer teams’ calendars and ultimately appeasing fans, especially soccer purists who believe the tourney should be propped and promoted, much like the Leagues Cup is during the Summer months.
Cover: US Open Cup