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Kyle Bonagura, ESPN staff writer
The United States Soccer Federation announced that it has ruled against allowing Major League Soccer (MLS) to remove its top teams from the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and replace them with teams from its developmental league, MLS Next Pro.
“Major League Soccer has requested that MLS Next Pro teams be allowed to represent MLS in the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. After careful consideration, we have informed MLS that the recommendation of the US Soccer Staff, as adopted by the MLS Task Force, is to Her: “The request was rejected.”
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“As we move forward, we will continue our review of the Open Cup to ensure it aligns with the strategic pillars of US Soccer. We will remain committed to meeting the needs and interests of all our members, including MLS and other stakeholders to strengthen and improve the US Open Cup.”
Major League Soccer announced its plan on Friday afternoon, before notifying the US Soccer Federation.
The US Soccer Federation’s professional league standards state that “U.S.-based teams must participate in all U.S. Soccer and CONCACAF representative competitions for which they are eligible.”
The Open Cup, which began in 1914 and is the country’s longest-running soccer competition, meets the criteria because it is governed by American Football.
“MLS has taken this step [to remove its first teams] Because it believes there are several fundamental goals and concerns that must be addressed in relation to the tournament, including developing young professional players and providing them with a greater opportunity to play in front of fans in meaningful competition in a tournament environment, while prioritizing the health and safety of players, the league said in a statement: “ Reduce schedule congestion for MLS clubs, and enhance investment from US Soccer.”
When MLS announced Friday its intention to use MLS Next Pro teams in the tournament, it had not fully briefed US Soccer or received approval.
US Soccer’s decision does not prevent MLS clubs from using players from their academies and Next Pro teams during the Open Cup competition, as has been the case to varying degrees in the past. It is not clear what level of participation will be expected from first-team players given MLS’ attempt to remove its first-team teams entirely.
As is common in domestic cup competitions globally, MLS teams have generally – and certainly in recent years – been more willing to play their best players the deeper they get into the tournament. The tournament champion earns a place in the CONCACAF Champions League.
MLS will release the regular season schedule later Wednesday.
