2013 Qualifiers

Thanks for this. I was actually thinking about this when I realized that the Aztex had (depending on the format used next year) qualified. We probably won't have a solid idea of what the NASL or USLPRO will look like next season until maybe even January. On the plus side, both leagues start their seasons early enough that they could use a '% points in games played by day X' approach for determining their representatives.

 

SJJ I would assume Reading United gets it, because they have the best 2nd place record in all three East Divisions. But I could be wrong. Ask olujosh, he should have that answer.

 

Well, last year Reading United got it, and they were the best #2 of the three divisions. In the articles that I was able to find regarding this year's selections, I didn't see it stated explicitly, but it seems like a reasonable guess.

 

That's how I see it as well. But the big question is where will the real return of the NY Cosmos and that Phoenix USL Pro side is going to be apart of the 2013 tournament.

 

Well, I think we're likely to get what I said above:

I'm sure we're far from knowing how things are going to resolve with the NASL and USLPRO. I could easily imagine two more teams in USLPRO. And there's speculation about Minnesota not being back.

I could also easily imagine either/both of them deciding new teams should be allowed in. It'll be a few months before we know.

 

FYI, Puerto Rico is not eligible for the US Open cup.

 

We don't know if all the conference winners of the NPSL will go into the 1st round. Might have to wait for next season's announcement to get that info.

 

So, weeks later, I notice that I typoed

 

I've heard a rumor (no idea how valid it is) that NPSL would get 12 spots instead of 8. How true it is, I don't know. It doesn't seem likely to me, but I thought I'd pass it along...

 

Thanks for the information, but I beleve that is false. 6 1/2 is probably the number, unless the US Club Soccer rep is gone and they put in either that Phoenix USL Pro side in the first round spot, or the NY Cosmos of the NASL.

 

Yeah, I would have been surprised if that number was correct. It seemed too high for NPSL.

 

Well maybe they get seven next year. We shall see when 2013 comes around and I wish they will take care of it a.s.a.p.

 

With the NASL and the USL Pro growing slowly, MLS' twentieth team on the horizon, and the number of PDL, NPSL, amateur clubs, it seems strange that US Soccer clings to the format it has used as of late. It could broaden the tournament to a 128 team affair with all the clubs entering in the first round instead of the tiered entry it has used (NASL in the 2nd, MLS in the third).

It would keep the tourney to the same number of rounds. MLS sides would have to win two more matches to snatch their prize and entry to the CCL. The bonus would be it would more closely resemble a March Madness style tourney. Everyone starts on even footing.

And since MLS clubs have started opening their checkbooks to buy these games, it would pump more cash into the lower divisions by creating additional MLS vs minor league matchups.

 

Man could you imagine every tournament being involved in the US Cup. Like high school state tournaments, U-10 tournaments, NCAA... Wow that'd be crazy.

 

The current system is a bit clunky. I know that adding more rounds is a non-starter. By having every team enter in the first round, all you do is allow for growth in MLS, NASL and USL Pro. Without that, then the tournament will go back to having play-ins and other qualifiers at some point when those leagues exceed the alloted slots.

 

Yeah, unfortunately, I hate to rain on the parade a bit, but we don't know what the format will be for next year, so the best we can do is guess. It would be nice if it was as simple as it was last year, but the Open Cup committee could change things.

I actually need some help tracking down Open Cup qualifying information for the USASA. Qualifying begins really soon for 2013, and I need some people to help track down results/schedules etc.

I'm working on a massive redesign for the 100th tournament and I need to work on that and I don't really have time to track down some of the state results.

Drop me a line if you're interested: http://www.thecup.us/contact-us

 

Massachusetts has the semifinals of their state tournament this weekend:

http://thecup.us/2013-us-open-cup-qualifying-massachusetts-final-four-set-after-high-scoring-weekend/
Details about the opening round plus the information about the games this weekend. Tweet us @USOpenCup if you're going to be there.

 

https://www.facebook.com/VSITampaBayFlames The new USL Pro team in Riverview/Brandon has a coach just in time for the combine they are attending in Auburndale. They have a contract with the county for a field/stadium in 2014 and are suppose to have a temporary home in Brandon for 2013. No players yet but a staff, a PDL team, youth program, and a women's team. They will play and should be in the Open Cup.

 

That's great news. Although since the new trend looks to be qualifying for the Open Cup based on the previous year's results, you might have to wait until 2015 to get into the Open Cup -- unless you started in 2013 and came out of the gate like gangbusters and won your division in your inaugural season (tough competition down there, but it's happened before)

Good luck!

 

Except that it's only PDL and parts of the NPSL that used 'previous season' for the 2012 tournament. Remember that VSI is moving to pro next year, and last year, all the USLPRO teams got to enter. Who knows which way USLPRO will go with qualifying if they end up with more US teams in the league than the USSF allots them. Last year, the USLPRO season started the first weekend in April, so it's possible that they could get in enough games before May 1 to use them as qualifiers like they used to.

 

It's possible. That's why the format hardly ever stays the same because teams leave, teams join, so the committee has to work with a different number of teams every year.

 

So the Cosmos will not play in the 2013 US Open Cup, so that means 6 NASL teams again this year.