TAMPA, Fla. – A league-record 18 USL clubs will participate in the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup when the tournament kicks off this May with the largest field in its history, as announced by U.S. Soccer on Wednesday. The field also includes a record 21 Premier Development League teams.
The clubs within the world’s largest Division II league will enter the tournament in the Second Round, with Reno 1868 FC set to make its debut alongside some of the Open Cup’s historic names from the USL as it pursues glory in the 104th edition of the legendary tournament.
“As always, we look forward to the competition and opportunity the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup brings to the soccer landscape every year,” said USL President Jake Edwards. “The growth of the tournament’s visibility, in large part because of memorable runs made by USL clubs in the past, have made the Open Cup one of the highlights of the season every year for our teams.”
A total of 56 Open Division clubs, which includes the PDL teams, will begin the tournament in the First Round on May 10. Teams from Division II enter on May 17 in the Second Round. Clubs from Major League Soccer will enter in the Fourth Round, which will be played on June 14.
As has been the case for the past two years, teams will be paired geographically from the First Round through the Fourth Round. Following the Fourth Round, a geographically-based random draw will take place to determine the matchups in the Round of 16, and set the bracket for the remaining rounds. The tournament’s final is scheduled for September 20.
The USL is home to both the last club outside Major League Soccer to win the Open Cup in the Rochester Rhinos, who defeated Columbus Crew SC in the 1999 final, and another former champion in the Richmond Kickers, who took the title in 1995. The Charleston Battery, who alongside the Kickers enter their 25th season this year, were the last club outside MLS to reach the final in 2008.
After 12 teams reached the tournament’s Fourth Round two years ago, the stage is set for more memorable performances from USL clubs in this year’s tournament.
TAMPA, Fla. – A league-record 18 USL clubs will participate in the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup when the tournament kicks off this May with the largest field in its history, as announced by U.S. Soccer on Wednesday. The field also includes a record 21 Premier Development League teams.
The clubs within the world’s largest Division II league will enter the tournament in the Second Round, with Reno 1868 FC set to make its debut alongside some of the Open Cup’s historic names from the USL as it pursues glory in the 104th edition of the legendary tournament.
“As always, we look forward to the competition and opportunity the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup brings to the soccer landscape every year,” said USL President Jake Edwards. “The growth of the tournament’s visibility, in large part because of memorable runs made by USL clubs in the past, have made the Open Cup one of the highlights of the season every year for our teams.”
A total of 56 Open Division clubs, which includes the PDL teams, will begin the tournament in the First Round on May 10. Teams from Division II enter on May 17 in the Second Round. Clubs from Major League Soccer will enter in the Fourth Round, which will be played on June 14.
As has been the case for the past two years, teams will be paired geographically from the First Round through the Fourth Round. Following the Fourth Round, a geographically-based random draw will take place to determine the matchups in the Round of 16, and set the bracket for the remaining rounds. The tournament’s final is scheduled for September 20.
The USL is home to both the last club outside Major League Soccer to win the Open Cup in the Rochester Rhinos, who defeated Columbus Crew SC in the 1999 final, and another former champion in the Richmond Kickers, who took the title in 1995. The Charleston Battery, who alongside the Kickers enter their 25th season this year, were the last club outside MLS to reach the final in 2008.
After 12 teams reached the tournament’s Fourth Round two years ago, the stage is set for more memorable performances from USL clubs in this year’s tournament.
