Following a convoluted series of negotiations between U.S. Soccer and MLS, the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is set to proceed, marking its 109th iteration without interruption. The tournament will feature only eight senior Major League Soccer teams, while 11 others will be represented by their MLS NEXT Pro youth squads. This compromise was struck after MLS threatened to withdraw all its clubs from the competition in light of plans to incorporate the Leagues Cup into the regular league schedule.
Consequently, lower-league teams now have a rare opportunity to vie for the prestigious Cup title, a feat largely elusive since MLS’s establishment in 1996. The only non-MLS club to have clinched the U.S. Open Cup trophy was the now-defunct Rochester Rhinos back in 1999. Sporting News presents an overview of the 2024 U.S. Open Cup schedule and information on where to catch all the matches, which will be available for streaming online or on TV.
