2024 U.S. Open Cup

The fact that someone like Juan Agudelo isn't in the top 20 goal scorers in the USL Championship is testament to the league being deep enough that a guy who was a decent scorer at the MLS level can't just step in and dominate, even on a team that currently has the league leader in assists and chances created playing for them. Agudelo has played 71 games now at the USLC level and scored 14 goals in league play. That's not bad, at all, but he's scoring at only a slightly better pace than he did in MLS.

 

His goalscoring rate is quite a bit higher than his last season in MLS.

 

Apparently wearing pink made him lose sight of the goal completely.

 

Highest 2 goalscorers in USL right now couldn't cut in MLS. Never scored a goal.

I'm sure if they return to MLS they can make decent back ups but no where near starters. They might even be better than Miguel Berry who I think isn't that far off from joining USL soon.

 

I am actually happy about the improvement in usl because I'm not a weirdo with a "there can only be one" mentality.

 

This right here. More quality soccer in this country means more people get the chance to watch quality soccer in this country.
Pretty simple

 

I'm happy to watch USL, I just don't need to believe US Open Cup needs MLS or USL to exist in Open Cup. The Cup has been around longer than both leagues put together.

 

So at this stage, is there any reason to hope MLS might go back to all teams entering next year? Or is it more likely they'll go in the other direction?

I guess we're hoping that US Soccer will be able to pull off some sort of sponsorship announcement after this year's final that will improve the tournament.

 

I doubt that all teams will enter next year. Even the A teams fielded mainly reserve and supplementary players.

My hope is that MLS and MLSPA can do a deal where Open Cup games are treated like friendlies so they have an unlimited roster.

That way teams that want to take it seriously can and teams that want to use it as a run out for their reserve team can too, without nominating an A or B squad.

In the meantime USSF can try and turn it into a competitive, meaningful, profitable tournament and maybe even get a streaming partner.

 

Since when has that been the case? Philadelphia got in hot water years ago when then coach Piotr Nowak played Academy player and eventual HGP Zach Pfeffer against Chivas Guadalajara in a friendly. The Union weren't allowed to sign any home grown players for a few years after that complaint from the MLSPA was resolved.

 

There is no one like Juan Agudelo. There is Grand Canyon size gap between how he could play and how he is playing. With whatever he has between his ears he might be 20th best striker in U-17 league as well.

 

I thought I'd seen something in the latest CBA about exceptions to the roster rules for non-competitive games. I may be wrong, I usually am.

 

MLS had "an easy business decision but a difficult emotional decision" to scale back its involvement in the US Open Cup. I love the competition but what you have said is so true. I know how hard DC United worked over the years to try and build up the Open Cup to little success.

I hate to say it but outside those of us who are soccer fanatics, most fans just didn't or don't care. Even when DC United included an Open Cup game in the season ticket packages, season ticket holders complained about the extra money they had to pay for the games. DC also tried moving the venue from RFK to Maryland Soccer Complex to save money, provided all the support staff, promotions and player appearances and still fans did not show up.

I also know how little broadcasting interest there is from media and sponsorships. So little that US soccer could not even get the games on any TV or later streaming service.

The bottom line is that we have the romance of the Open Cup and its David vs Goliath matchups and the potential for a "March Madness" type of tournament, but the economic reality hits hard. It is US Soccer's responsibility to address; they have failed miserably to date.

 

Really good interview with one of the owners of New Mexico United:

 

The funny thing about this video is that it ignores that USL is exactly the same as MLS. The only difference is that the owners of the team doesn't get a cut of the expansion fees. Lol. Of course, it's not hard totake a dump on Fischer and how he has run the Earthquakes, but a lot of his claims are just not supported by the facts.

 

Oooo. The playlist is already populated. That is great and should be used by everyone rather than going through the leagues' and USSF's website. The streams on those ones are trash.

 

There shouldn't be a need for the links at all, as the games should be available vis a simple search. As usual US Soccer is dropping the ball when it comes to making the USOC available. I'm surprised (no I'm not) that they couldn't get these games on CBS Sports Network (hell the Golazo Network...) or FS1 on a Tuesday night........

 

You are correct, but, as TheCup.US notes, USSF, USL, and MLS is using these games as a marketing tool to get email addresses.

 

That's nice. And completely stupid, and shows that none of these parties really cares all that much about the US Open Cup.

 

Yep, they are proving the point MLS was making, even though I still don't agree with MLS bowing out.

 

And yet the pro/ rel usl fanboys won’t akwolgize this