Top Takeaways from the U.S. Open Cup Round of 32

Wednesday marked the round of 32 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, in which 12 MLS teams faced off against 12 USL teams. These matchups have traditionally favored the MLS, which has dominated this competition since the USL became a league in 1986.

There have been years when the USL has stolen a few victories in later rounds, like the Pittsburgh Riverhounds did in 2023 beating the Columbus Crew or when Sacramento Republic made it to the final in 2022.

The only non-MLS Club to win the Open Cup was the Rochester Rhinos in 1999. Since then, the Rhinos have bounced between different leagues and even disbanded as an organization. Winning the Cup doesn’t guarantee future success or promise that their efforts will get them an MLS bid.

We did learn a few things from Wednesday’s games, as well as some takeaways regarding the Open Cup.

The USL is not yet on par with the MLS.

Out of the 12 games played in the round of 32, 11 MLS teams walked away as victors. Most of the teams representing the MLS play with reserves or call up MLS NEXT Pro players with little first-team experience.

This gives most top-tier USL teams a chance to compete, packing it in on defense and waiting for key counterattacks to take advantage of a stretched-out attack.

Experienced coaches with an organized team pull off this strategy well, causing chaos when the bigger club is desperate, with more talented players trying to prove why they should be called up from NEXT Pro or given more chances with the first team.

This allows the occasional upset in most cases, but not this year. There were a few close calls, one-score games, last-second winners, and one upset in extra time. This usually isn’t a big deal in most years.

The Open Cup doesn’t mean as much as it did

The oldest soccer competition in the country used to be one of, if not the most important, competitions to win in all of U.S. Soccer. When the MLS formed, it separated itself from the smaller leagues in this competition.

With no promotion or relegation, it keeps the talent all in one league, with no second-tier team with top talent due to the lack of a pro/rel system.

As stated before, this caused MLS teams to play less of their top-tier talent and give lesser players key minutes. Sadly, this is important for USL teams to compete, but it does take away from seeing top talent play at smaller stadiums like Louisville or Sacramento.

Despite this fact, we could see the Cup mean a little bit more a few years from now.

USL First Division will bring Balance

Before the season started, it was announced that the USL would launch a first division to compete directly with the MLS. It is expected to have a promotion and relegation amongst the three USL divisions.

MLS will have to compete for the same talent pool with the USL, making the Open Cup mean a little more than in years past.

Going forward, the MLS will have to make a decision: do they want to keep sending out MLS NEXT Pro teams or compete when the USL brings in true challengers? The USL will treat this competition as a chance to grit its teeth and prove they are a true first division.

If taken lightly, it will set the MLS behind the USL in how they are respected by fans across the country.

No True Benefit of Playing at USL stadiums

The MLS teams that had to make the travel to small USL stadiums don’t benefit from them. Most USL teams are in smaller markets with stadiums that are half of the capacity of MLS stadiums.

It does set for some cool moments from the USL perspective. A team like Pittsburgh showing off it’s Riverside stadium with the supporters behind the endline and the train going by behind the stadium.

Even a non bias view may enjoy this, unfortunately not every USL has this. Most these stadiums are not in top or mid major markets in American but small niche sports towns. This also gives little reason for a MLS fan to travel to these small soccer towns outside of the rare few.

Open cup games are also on CBS, which is not a part of the MLS TV deal that funnels money to these clubs. Though many USL fans may not like it, it’s the truth that MLS teams have little reason to want to compete at and against USL competition.