http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=27894&itype= All 10 MLS teams qualify. DC and MetroStars join in third round (July 16), remaining 8 join in fourth round (Aug 6). Final Oct 15 or 22.
Two questions: 1. I presume after the 4th round comes the Q-finals? 2. So if I'm not mistaken, the Open Cup Final will actually finish before the MLS Cup this year. That makes much more sense than how it's been the last few years.
Th only thing I don't like is 6 PSL teams and 6PDL teams. That means half of the old D3 makes it while only 11 percent of the PDL makes it. I'd like to see a league that is growing encouraged with extra berths and have 4 PSL teams and 8 PDL teams. Otherwise, I like it.
I like this format because it includes all MLS teams. I think that should always be the case since it is an Open Cup.