MLS Teams to Skip 2024 U.S. Open Cup

Developmental Teams from MLS Next Pro to Participate Instead Amid Schedule Congestion Concerns

Major League Soccer (MLS) announced that its clubs will not participate in the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the oldest ongoing soccer tournament in the U.S., instead opting to enter teams from the MLS Next Pro development league.
The decision was driven by the aim to decrease schedule congestion, especially after the introduction of an expanded Leagues Cup competition with Liga MX last year.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber had previously criticized the U.S. Open Cup, calling it 'a very poor reflection on what it is we're trying to do with soccer at the highest level.'
The decision applies only to the 2024 tournament, and the league plans to reevaluate its approach to the Open Cup next season.
MLS's three Canadian teams — CF Montréal, Toronto FC, and the Vancouver Whitecaps — are still expected to participate in the Canadian Championship.