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LAFC Joins MLS & NEXT PRO Entries Competing in 2024 US Open Cup
March 1, 2024 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Los Angeles FC News Release
During the past few months, Major League Soccer and U.S. Soccer have worked together to discuss the evolution of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup that will set the foundation for the future growth of the tournament to benefit all stakeholders. The conversations focused on increasing the overall investment in the Open Cup, including improved economics for all participants, providing young players with important developmental opportunities, reducing schedule congestion for MLS clubs, and addressing load management concerns to aid player health and safety.
We are grateful to U.S. Soccer for their leadership on these efforts to evolve the Open Cup and increase their investment to benefit the tournament as a whole.
MLS and U.S. Soccer have reached an agreement that will see eight MLS clubs and 11 MLS NEXT Pro teams in the Open Cup for 2024.
MLS Clubs - The eight MLS clubs will include Houston Dynamo FC (last year's Open Cup champion) and the top seven ranked U.S.-based teams according to the 2023 MLS Supporters' Shield standings, other than clubs playing in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup.
MLS NEXT Pro Clubs - The 11 participating MLS NEXT Pro teams will include nine MLS affiliates and two independent clubs. The nine MLS-affiliated teams competing will be based on the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro final standings, other than those clubs whose MLS first teams are participating in either the 2024 U.S. Open Cup or 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup.
MLS teams will only play lower division opponents until it cannot be avoided, enhancing the tournament's drama and appeal.
We look forward to continuing our work with U.S. Soccer and all Open Cup stakeholders to elevate the tournament, benefiting players, clubs, and fans alike.
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Major League Soccer Stories from March 1, 2024
- Sounders FC Faces Austin FC Saturday in Home Opener - Seattle Sounders FC
- Houston Dynamo FC to Pay Tribute to Maggie McKethan Ahead of Saturday's Kickoff - Houston Dynamo FC
- FC Cincinnati Travel to Chicago for First Road Match of MLS Season - FC Cincinnati
- Houston Dynamo FC to Defend Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Title in 2024 Edition of the Tournament - Houston Dynamo FC
- Sporting KC Home Opener on Saturday - Sporting Kansas City
- New York Travel to Shell Energy Stadium for First Time Since 2019 to Face Houston Dynamo FC - New York Red Bulls
- The Assist: Orlando City SC at Inter Miami CF - March 2, 2024 - Orlando City SC
- Russell Teibert Hangs up Boots After 16 Years as a Player with Whitecaps FC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Minnesota United FC vs. Columbus Crew Preview - Minnesota United FC
- CF Montréal on the Road Saturday against FC Dallas - Club de Foot Montreal
- Whitecaps FC Sign WFC2 Midfielder Jay Herdman to Second MLS Short-Term Agreement - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- LAFC Travels to Face Real Salt Lake at America First Field on Saturday, March 2 - Los Angeles FC
- Match Preview: Charlotte FC at Vancouver Whitecaps FC - Charlotte FC
- Real Salt Lake Kicks off 20th Home MLS Season Saturday against LAFC - Real Salt Lake
- Injury Report: Four Absent vs. St. Louis City SC - New York City FC
- Nashville SC Travels to Colorado Rapids for First Western Conference Matchup of the Season - Nashville SC
- By the Number: FC Cincinnati at Chicago Fire FC - FC Cincinnati
- Atlanta United to Compete in 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup - Atlanta United FC
- Earthquakes to Compete in 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup - San Jose Earthquakes
- Sporting KC to Play in 2024 U.S. Open Cup - Sporting Kansas City
- FC Dallas to Compete in 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup - FC Dallas
- LAFC Joins MLS & NEXT PRO Entries Competing in 2024 US Open Cup - Los Angeles FC
- Real Salt Lake One of Eight MLS Teams to Participate in 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup - Real Salt Lake
- Dean Smith: "We Just Need to Keep Improving" - Charlotte FC
- Colorado Rapids Take on Nashville SC in 2024 Home Opener - Colorado Rapids
- Academy Roundup: Young Garys Earn Positive Results on Weekend Road Trip - FC Cincinnati
- Houston Dynamo FC to Host Columbus Crew at 7 p.m. CT on Wednesday, March 6 at Shell Energy Stadium - Houston Dynamo FC
- Kickoff Times Announced Orlando City SC's Concacaf Champions Cup Matchup with Tigres UANL - Orlando City SC
- New York City FC Signs Defender Rio Hope-Gund - New York City FC
- FC Cincinnati Loan Álvaro Barreal to Cruzeiro - FC Cincinnati
- Maintain Standards: Ingredients of the Match - Charlotte FC
- FC Cincinnati Celebrate Women's History Month with Array of Initiatives and Events That Promote Women in Sports - FC Cincinnati
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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