It is "unclear if a solution is possible this year" for the U.S. Open Cup, as the MLS yesterday released its regular season schedule, which includes several midweek matches when Open Cup games are played and a late-summer gap for the Leagues Cup, according to Steven Goff of the WASHINGTON POST. The calendar "is so crowded" that MLS “will again defy global protocol and schedule games during international windows,” when players are away representing their countries. MLS “could find itself in trouble” with U.S. Soccer governance, as the USSF’s pro league standards state that “U.S.-based teams must participate in all representative U.S. Soccer and Concacaf [regional] competitions for which they are eligible.” Since its founding in 1996, MLS "has entered teams at or near the round of 32." Some teams “take it less seriously than others,” mixing regulars, reserves and young prospects. The tournament, however, “has suffered from financial burdens on teams, substandard playing conditions at some lower-tier venues and a lack of visibility” (WASHINGTON POST, 12/20).
HERES HOW IT'S GOING TO GO: SOCCER AMERICA’s Paul Kennedy noted "the expectation is that its teams will be represented by their first teams in the 2024 competition." Who are the players these first teams will field each game "remains to be seen." MLS will “want to try to do indirectly what it can't now do directly” -- which is for its teams to “stock their Open Cup rosters with MLS Next Pro players.” The only difference is MLS teams “will play without the protection from brand confusion or brand damage -- who the heck are these kids playing (and likely losing) in first-team uniforms?” MLS will want to see “within existing rules how its teams can field more pro players from MLS Next Pro teams or amateur academy players.” Kennedy added the latter “is the gray area.” If MLS “have to field their first teams, the next best thing for them is to field both first teams and second teams (MLS Next Pro teams) in the Open Cup.” U.S. Soccer rules "prohibit pro teams" -- not amateur teams -- who are majority-owned or otherwise "controlled by higher division professional clubs from playing in the Open Cup" (SOCCER AMERICA, 12/20).
