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Lionel Messi Don Garber MLS 2023USA Today Sports
Tom Hindle

'Committed to the U.S. Open Cup' - MLS Commissioner Don Garber says league working to finalize participation plans

The long-time leader of the league said Major League Soccer is committed to ongoing participation in U.S. Open Cup

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  • Only eight MLS clubs sent their first teams to US Open Cup
  • Fan groups protested decision of MLS teams to pull out
  • Don Garber says he understands the 'legacy' of the competition
  • Don Garber MLSGetty Images

    WHAT HAPPENED?

    Major League Soccer's handling of the U.S. Open Cup has been met with skepticism around the game. Garber announced in December 2023 that MLS first teams wouldn't be required to participate in the competition, with MLS Next Pro sides set to replace them.

    But after a successful iteration of the 2024 competition, Garber says that MLS is actively seeking a solution to bring more of its senior sides into the fray.

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  • THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Eight MLS outfits sent their senior sides into the 110-year-old contest this year. After fears that the Cup might be abandoned altogether, the majority of USL sides participated - with Indy Eleven making an unlikely run to the semifinals.

    Still, there remained some conflict around the competition. MLS and Liga MX stuck with an expanded format of Leagues Cup this summer - a decision some believed signaled the end of the U.S. Open Cup.

  • WHAT GARBER SAID

    Garber spoke on the future of the competition in an interview with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, confirming that MLS is "committed" to ongoing participation in the U.S. Open Cup.

    "I've been on the U.S. Soccer board for a long time, and I understand the legacy value of the U.S. Open Cup, and I want to be sure that we can do what we can to continue to build it and get it right," he said. "But that path isn't linear. It might have to be a bit circular until we can get to a point that's going to make sense for every stakeholder, not just MLS, our players, our fans, the other leagues and all the other objectives we have to satisfy.

    "We are committed to the U.S. Open Cup. We will participate in it, and we are working with U.S. Soccer on the details of that. It's going to get finalized soon. And know that the league is going to make the right decision with all the input we've been taking in, including from our fans, from our technical folks, from our business folks and from U.S. Soccer."

  • Hugo Lloris LAFC 2024USA Today Images

    WHAT NEXT FOR THE U.S. OPEN CUP?

    The final of the long-time pillar of U.S. soccer is set for next Wednesday, when LAFC will take on Sporting KC in Los Angeles.