The U.S. Open Cup Reaches a Pivotal Moment: MLS Enters the Fray
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, a tournament steeped in American soccer history, is poised to reach a critical stage. As the Round of 32 commences on May 6-7, Major League Soccer (MLS) teams enter the competition, adding a layer of intrigue and intensity to the already diverse field. This year’s edition features teams from four distinct leagues, with MLS contributing 16 of the contenders.
Los Angeles FC, the reigning U.S. Open Cup champions, will not participate in the tournament this year, leaving the door open for a new champion to emerge. One team with its sights set on glory is the Chicago Fire, led by former U.S. Men’s National Team coach Gregg Berhalter. The Fire are seeking to become the first MLS club to secure five Open Cup titles, a feat that would solidify their place in the tournament’s annals.
For fans eager to witness the drama unfold, all Round of 32 games will be streamed on Paramount+. Select matches will also be broadcast on CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Golazo Network, ensuring widespread access to the action.
The Teams in Contention:
The Round of 32 showcases a diverse array of teams, representing the breadth and depth of American soccer:
- Major League Soccer (16): Austin FC, Charlotte FC, Chicago Fire FC, D.C. United, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo FC, Minnesota United FC, Nashville SC, New England Revolution, New York City FC, New York Red Bulls, Orlando City SC, Philadelphia Union, Portland Timbers, San Jose Earthquakes, St. Louis City SC
- USL Championship (12): Charleston Battery, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, Detroit City FC, El Paso Locomotive FC, Indy Eleven, Louisville City FC, North Carolina FC, Phoenix Rising FC, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Rhode Island FC, Sacramento Republic FC, Tampa Bay Rowdies
- USL League One (3): AV ALTA FC, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, Union Omaha
- MLS NEXT Pro (1): Tacoma Defiance
A Tournament Rooted in History:
American soccer history, unlike that of baseball or American football, is marked by discontinuity and complexity. Amidst this backdrop, the U.S. Open Cup stands as a unifying force, a thread connecting the past and present of the sport in the United States. Officially known as the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the tournament’s origins trace back to 1913, predating the formation of the NFL by seven years and the American League of baseball by twelve.
The U.S. Open Cup, the nation’s oldest annual team sports tournament, has been played every year since its inception, with the exception of 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Modeled after England’s FA Cup, the single-elimination competition welcomes both amateur and professional clubs based in the United States. The victor of the U.S. Open Cup, recognized as the national champion of American men’s club soccer, earns a coveted spot in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
Since 1996, MLS teams have dominated the U.S. Open Cup, with only one exception: the Rochester Rhinos’ triumph over the Colorado Rapids in the 1999 final. While MLS has participated in the tournament since its founding, the old North American Soccer League (NASL) chose to abstain. Consequently, legendary NASL teams like the New York Cosmos and Chicago Sting are absent from the U.S. Open Cup’s historical records.
Lower Division Teams Making Their Mark:
In recent years, USL sides have demonstrated their capabilities in the U.S. Open Cup, mounting impressive tournament runs. Indy Eleven reached the semifinals in 2024, Sacramento Republic FC reached the final in 2022, and FC Cincinnati advanced to the semifinals in 2017 (before joining MLS in 2019). These achievements highlight the potential for lower division teams to challenge the established order and make a significant impact on the competition.
Echoes of the Past:
If the National Association Football League (NAFL) had enjoyed the longevity of MLB or the NFL, perhaps teams like Bethlehem Steel would be as revered as the New York Yankees or Green Bay Packers. Bethlehem Steel, a dominant force in the tournament’s early years, won five U.S. Open Cups in the first 13 years. However, four years after their last U.S. Open Cup title in 1926, Bethlehem Steel ceased operations. The NAFL itself dissolved in 1921, succeeded by the American Soccer League, which succumbed to the Great Depression in 1933. Bethlehem Steel competed in both leagues, leaving an undeniable mark on American soccer history.
Despite their last title coming in the 1920s, Bethlehem Steel remains tied for the most U.S. Open Cup championships (five) with Maccabi Los Angeles, a semi-pro soccer club active from 1971 to 1982. MLS teams are gradually closing the gap on these early champions, with the Chicago Fire, Sporting Kansas City, and Seattle Sounders each boasting four championships. The U.S. Open Cup continues to be a battleground for both established powerhouses and ambitious underdogs, a testament to the enduring appeal of this historic tournament. The 2024 edition promises to be a captivating chapter in the ongoing story of American soccer.
