MLS’ Open Cup PR disaster rolls on as league continues to stall

Major League Soccer is apparently still negotiating with U.S. Soccer on how exactly their clubs will participate in the 2024 U.S. Open Cup. The North American league previously declared back in December that their teams would not participate in the knockout competition. Instead, the top flight clubs would send their MLS Next PRO reserve teams to the tournament.

“This decision will provide emerging professional players with additional opportunities for meaningful competition,” the league wrote in a statement on the ordeal. “The move also benefits the MLS regular season by reducing schedule congestion, freeing up to six-midweek match dates.”

Nevertheless, the governing body essentially denied this proposal just a few days later. “Major League Soccer has requested to allow MLS Next PRO teams to represent MLS in the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. After thoughtful consideration, we have informed MLS that the U.S. Soccer staff recommendation, which was adopted by the Pro League Taskforce, is that the request be denied,” stated the federation.

Multiple scenarios currently on the table during negotiations

While it has been seven weeks since MLS made their initial proposal on skipping the U.S. Open Cup, there is still not yet a resolution to the problem. However, according to a report by The Athletic, the two sides have essentially been in constant contact since January 1st. As a result in the delay, the U.S. Open Cup Committee has also joined the talks.

Sources providing information on the situation to the news outlet claim that there are three scenarios currently on the table. One would allow the nine American clubs set to participate in the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup to skip the U.S. Open Cup. These teams, however, could also be given the choice of playing in the tournament or not.

Another possibility, presented by the MLS, would be to give all of their clubs the option to field either their first team or Next PRO squad for the…

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Author : Chris Moore

Publish date : 2024-02-10 16:27:50

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