Major League Soccer returns all 27 US teams to the US Open Cup
2 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 1, 2026, 9:14 PM
Last updated Sep 1, 2026
Major League Soccer will return all 27 of its United States-based clubs to the US Open Cup competition next year. This shift ends a three-year period during which the league limited participation in the tournament. The US Open Cup serves as the nation's oldest soccer competition, having operated continuously since 1914 with exceptions only in 2020 and 2021. As a single-elimination tournament, it includes teams from all levels of the domestic soccer system, ranging from amateur clubs to professional organizations. MLS teams have historically entered the tournament at the later stages and have won every edition of the event since the league began operations in 1996, with one exception. The decision follows a period of criticism regarding the league's previous choice to withdraw its teams from the historic competition.
- •All 27 US-based MLS clubs will participate in the US Open Cup next year.
- •The decision ends a three-year span of limited MLS involvement in the tournament.
- •MLS teams have won all but one edition of the competition since 1996.
- •The tournament has operated since 1914 and involves amateur and professional clubs.
- 9:14 PMYahoo Sports — MLS set for full U.S. Open Cup return after three years of limited participation
- 6:30 PMThe Guardian Sport — MLS reportedly will return all 27 US-based teams to the US Open Cup
"MLS had limited participation since 2024 Open Cup League decision to withdraw teams was controversial Major League Soccer will allow all of its 27 US-based teams to participate in the US Open Cup next year, according to a report from Backheeled. The move would bring to an end a three-year period in which MLS withheld teams from the United States’ oldest soccer competition, a single-elimination cup that has been running continuously since 1914, with only two editions skipped (2020 and 2021, due to the Covid-19 pandemic). Like England’s FA Cup and other similar competitions, the US Open Cup involves teams at all levels of the soccer system, including amateur and semi-pro teams. MLS teams traditionally enter at the later stages, with an MLS team winning all but one edition of the Open Cup since the league started play in 1996. Continue reading...
"LOS ANGELES -- Major League Soccer is heading back into the U.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 1, 2026, 9:14 PMMLS set for full U.S. Open Cup return after three years of limited participation
LOS ANGELES -- Major League Soccer is heading back into the U.
- The Guardian SportSep 1, 2026, 6:30 PMMLS reportedly will return all 27 US-based teams to the US Open Cup
MLS had limited participation since 2024 Open Cup League decision to withdraw teams was controversial Major League Soccer will allow all of its 27 US-based teams to participate in the US Open Cup next year, according to a report from Backheeled. The move would bring to an end a three-year period in which MLS withheld teams from the United States’ oldest soccer competition, a single-elimination cup that has been running continuously since 1914, with only two editions skipped (2020 and 2021, due to the Covid-19 pandemic). Like England’s FA Cup and other similar competitions, the US Open Cup involves teams at all levels of the soccer system, including amateur and semi-pro teams. MLS teams traditionally enter at the later stages, with an MLS team winning all but one edition of the Open Cup since the league started play in 1996. Continue reading...
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