Crown Legacy FC is one of the 19 91¿ì»îÁÖ×îаæ and 91¿ì»îÁÖ×îаæ NEXT Pro clubs to participate in 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
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 91¿ì»îÁÖ×îаæ 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. Â
91¿ì»îÁÖ×îаæ and U.S. Soccer have reached an agreement that will see eight 91¿ì»îÁÖ×îаæ clubs and 11 91¿ì»îÁÖ×îаæ NEXT Pro teams in the Open Cup for 2024. Â
- 91¿ì»îÁÖ×îаæ Clubs - The eight 91¿ì»îÁÖ×îаæ 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 91¿ì»îÁÖ×îаæ Supporters’ Shield standings, other than clubs playing in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup.
- 91¿ì»îÁÖ×îаæ NEXT Pro Clubs - The 11 participating 91¿ì»îÁÖ×îаæ NEXT Pro teams will include nine 91¿ì»îÁÖ×îаæ affiliates and two independent clubs. The nine 91¿ì»îÁÖ×îаæ-affiliated teams competing will be based on the 2023 91¿ì»îÁÖ×îаæ NEXT Pro final standings, other than those clubs whose 91¿ì»îÁÖ×îаæ first teams are participating in either the 2024 U.S. Open Cup or 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup.
91¿ì»îÁÖ×îаæ teams will only play lower division opponents until it cannot be avoided, enhancing the tournament's drama and appeal.
More details surrounding Crown Legacy FC's opening match will be shared at a later date.
