Major U.S. Soccer dispute is sparked by MLS, which is accused of being greedy for cup decisions.
After MLS announced this week that it would not enter clubs into the U.S. Open Cup in 2024, thereby knee-capping the oldest competition in US soccer history, supporters and commentators accused the league of being greedy. MLS announced that it will instead send developing teams to the renowned competition.
MLS announced that it would review their choice after the following year in the face of strong criticism. “In recent months, the MLS sporting and competition group has been collaborating with U.S. Soccer to shape the future role of MLS teams in the Open Cup,” the league stated in a statement. “MLS is still dedicated to collaborating with the federation to improve the Open Cup for all parties involved in the years to come.
The American soccer pyramid does not have promotion or relegation, so the Open Cup is the only opportunity for lower-tier clubs to play competitive games against MLS sides. The games improve marketing and income for the team. Additionally, they promote soccer culture in mid-sized communities home to USL Championship teams.
Similar to local soccer competitions across the globe, one of the primary excitements of the Open Cup is the spectacle of underdogs defeating top-tier clubs. Sacramento Republic FC advanced to the competition’s final in 2022.
USL president Paul McDonough said in a statement via ESPN that “the MLS announcement about the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was a surprise to us and contrary to recent public statements.” “We will speak with U.S. Soccer, and with our owners, before making any further public comment about MLS’s position.”
Don Garber, the commissioner of Major League Soccer, has taken issue with the Open Cup, citing poor broadcast rights arrangements (MLS does not control the distribution of the Open Cup, unlike league games that are carried exclusively on Apple TV). That justification, though, hasn’t appeased those who believe a competition that has been going since 1914 ought to have a permanent spot in the nation’s soccer scene.
Former MLS player and member of the U.S. men’s national team Herculez Gomez wrote, “This is wild.” “They not only turned their back on the Open Cup but handed out potential death blow for the tournament.”
Taylor Twellman, an ex-MLS player, continued, “It can NOT die.” Twellman’s voice is especially significant because he produces the Apple TV broadcasts of Major League Soccer matches.
