LAFC among eight MLS clubs in U.S. Open Cup this season
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup will have a different look this season.
Since December, Major League Soccer's participation in the longtime soccer competition was uncertain after announcing it wanted to send its developmental league clubs from MLS Next Pro, citing schedule congestion as one of the main reasons.
On Friday, the U.S. Soccer Federation announced the format and teams for the 2024 edition of the tournament, with LAFC among eight MLS teams participating.
Atlanta United FC, FC Dallas, Houston, Real Salt Lake, San Jose, Seattle and Sporting Kansas City will join LAFC in competing and entering in the Round of 32 (May 7-8). Meanwhile, 11 clubs will send their MLS Next Pro teams, including Galaxy II. These teams will be entering the tournament in the first round (March 19-21).
In a statement from MLS, the league said it worked with U.S. Soccer to “discuss the evolution of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup that will set the foundation for the future growth of the tournament to benefit all stakeholders.
“The conversations focused on increasing the overall investment in the Open Cup, including improved economics for all participants, providing young players with important developmental opportunities, reducing schedule congestion for MLS clubs and addressing load management concerns to aid player health and safety.”
The USL Championship will enter its 24 teams (16 in the third round and eight in the round of 32). Orange County Soccer Club will join in the Round of 32.
“The USL has supported the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for nearly 30 years and we are proud to be part of it again in 2024,” USL President Paul McDonough said in a statement. “We applaud all the USL clubs who have decided to participate in this year's U.S. Open Cup, despite being handed the option to decline.”
The field will also consist of USL League One, NISA and clubs from the NPSL (National Premier Soccer League), USL League Two and Open Division Local qualifiers.
U.S. Soccer said it will be making “its largest-ever investment in the tournament with new commercial partners, including Marriott, Michelob Ultra, New York Life and Nike.”
“I want to extend my sincere gratitude to all our members for their invaluable input over the past couple of months, sharing with us of the reasons the U.S. Open
Cup is so great and what we can do to make it even better,” U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson said in a statement. “After extensive discussions, we have put together a competitive format specific to the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, promising exciting matchups from the First Round and through the entire tournament.
“U.S. Soccer values the tradition and importance of the U.S. Open Cup and we will continue to have conversations with all our members to explore avenues for enhancing future editions of the tournament and how we all work together to grow soccer in every community in the country.”
The teams will be competing for a $300,000 prize and a berth in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup. The runner-up earns $100,000 and the team that advances the furthest from each lower division will receive $25,000.