Eight MLS leagues and 11 MLS Next Pro teams will compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, a competition across teams sanctioned by U.S. Soccer, according to an agreement reached between MLS and U.S. Soccer.
In addition to the top seven Soccer clubs currently playing in the 2023 MLS Followers ‘ Shield status, last year’s U.S. Open Cup hero Houston Dynamo FC will compete in this year’s competition. Team competing in the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup, which included a number of top-ranked groups in the Supporters ‘ Shield race last year, are exempt from competing in the U.S. Open Cup. Inter Miami CF, which was led by Lionel Messi, did not play, despite the fact that the group made it to the final next year.
Seattle Sounders, LAFC, Atlanta United, Real Salt Lake, FC Dallas, Sporting Houston, and the San Jose Tremors are the MLS teams that compete in the U.S. Open Cup.

The Columbus Crew, Inter Miami, FC Cincinnati, St. Louis City SC, Orlando City, NE Revolution, Nashville SC, Philadelphia Union, and Vancouver Whitecaps are the teams that are not allowed to play in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Nelson Rodriguez, MLS’ executive vice president of wearing goods and competition, said,” We did have two targets. The first was we felt very strongly that MLS Next Pro should have the right to participate in the tournament.” ” We also wanted to see if we may reduce the workload of our people for the duration of the calendar year and our plan gridlock.”
Nine MLS affiliates will be selected based on the 2023 MLS Next Pro last standings and two separate venues, Carolina Core FC and Chattanooga FC, making up the 11 MLS NEXT Pro groups. If their MLS clubs compete in either the 2024 U.S. Open Cup or the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup, they are free from the U.S. Open Cup.
The tournament’s potential for upsets will increase as lower division rivals are seeded to play MLS teams until they ca n’t be avoided.
Rodriguez said,” We think this increases the overall aura, charm, and beauty of the tournament.”
The success of the U.S. Open Cup does receive$ 300,000 in prize money and a spot in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup, according to MLS.
Rodriguez predicted that for this year’s event, travel expenses will be higher than previously. Simply put, no crew should compete in the U.S. Open Cup at a loss, he said,” we believe that increased economy were essential for all team.”
The Open Cup, which was first held in 1914, was in fear in December. U.S. Soccer turned down the request, despite the fact that MLS had requested to just field teams from MLS Next Pro at the game.
Both organizations confirmed to Sportico that they had discussed the issues in order to better identify the team’s participation in the competition.
Last month, USL CEO Paul McDonough expressed sorrow with how the U.S. Soccer Federation handled a dispute.
Options with knowledge of the situation told Sportico in December that the MLS and the U.S. Soccer Federation were at a standstill in the negotiations for a radio package for the event.

Discussions with broadcasters, including with Warner Brothers, Telemundo, and CBS, are now underway, according to a supply who requested anonymity because the dispute is still ongoing and is personal.
More information about the game and Nelson Rodriguez’s quotations have been added to this content.