U.S. Soccer To Force MLS Teams To Participate In 2024 Open Cup
The U.S. Soccer Federation announced its decision to reject the MLS’s request to remove its first teams from the 2024 U.S. Open Cup and to instead have its MLS Next Pro developmental teams represent them in the competition.
This ruling was made just days after the MLS announced its intentions to withdraw its clubs from the 2024 edition of the tournament.
“Major League Soccer has requested to allow MLS Next Pro teams to represent MLS in the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. After thoughtful consideration, we have informed MLS that the U.S. Soccer staff recommendation, which was adopted by the Pro League Taskforce, is that the request be denied,” the USSF said. “As we move forward, we will continue our review of the Open Cup to ensure it aligns with the U.S. Soccer strategic pillars. We remain committed to addressing the needs and concerns of all of our members, including MLS, and other stakeholders to enhance and improve the U.S. Open Cup.”
The federation’s ruling comes on the grounds that the MLS’s request would violate the professional league standards put in place by the federation. The pro league standards state that “U.S.-based teams must participate in all representative U.S. Soccer and CONCACAF competitions for which they are eligible.” This includes the Open Cup, which is run by the U.S. Soccer Federation.
The ruling does not preclude MLS sides from using players from its MLS Next Pro teams in Open Cup games. However, the participating team has to be the MLS club itself, not the MLS Next Pro team.
The MLS received backlash after it announced its intentions to withdraw its teams from the longest-running club competition in the U.S. When it made its announcement on Friday, the league had not secured the approval of the U.S. Soccer Federation and had just informed the federation of its plan that day.
“MLS took that step [to remove its first teams] because it believes that there are several essential goals and concerns that must be addressed in connection with the tournament, including developing young professional players and providing them with greater opportunity to play before fans in meaningful competition in a tournament setting, prioritizing player health and safety, reducing schedule congestion for MLS clubs, and enhanced investment from U.S. Soccer,” the MLS said.
The last edition of the U.S. Open Cup was won by the Houston Dynamo. The Dynamo defeated the 2023 Leagues Cup Champions Inter Miami, who were led by Lionel Messi.
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