With news coming out earlier this week that no second division teams would participate in the 2011 U.S. Open Cup, it was clear that some rather significant changes were afoot. Those changes were revealed on Thursday when the format for this year’s tournament was revealed. As it turns out, the biggest changes are among the amateur ranks.
2011 U.S. Open Cup Format: Amateur Teams Get Five Additional Automatic Berths
Five more amateur teams will earn berths into the tournament this year. The PDL’s allotment was raised to nine from eight and the NPSL will receive four automatic berths, the first time since 2003 that teams from that fourth-division league will gain automatic entry. NPSL teams used to qualify through the USASA, which will receive eight berths again this year. But with the five U.S.-based NASL teams be excluded, this allowed more automatic berths to be given to amateur teams.
The MLS will continue to send eight teams to the competition and will enter in the third round as in years past. The top six teams have already been decided based on their finish in the regular season last year, leaving two more spots to be filled through a series of play-ins. The only other fully professional teams to participate will be the 11 U.S.-based USL-Pro teams.
The 98th edition of the tournament will begin play on June 14, will feature 40 total teams and will conclude with a championship game on Oct. 4. All games are scheduled to be played on Tuesdays.
Among the MLS teams to earn automatic qualification are the Seattle Sounders, who will be playing for the chance to become the first team since the 1964-67 New York Greek-Americans to win three straight years. The Sounders beat the Columbus Crew in front of a record crowd in last year's championship game.
Qualifying Teams
- MLS (8 teams – First Division): Columbus Crew, FC Dallas, Los Angeles Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, Real Salt Lake, Seattle Sounders FC + 2 qualifying teams
- USL Pro (11 teams – Third Division): Charleston Battery, Charlotte Eagles, Dayton Dutch Lions, FC New York, Harrisburg City Islanders, Los Angeles Blues, Orlando City, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Richmond Kickers, Rochester Rhinos, Wilmington Hammerheads
- PDL (9 teams – Amateur): Teams to be determined
- USASA (8 teams – Amateur): Two finalists from each of the four regional tournaments
- NPSL (4 teams – Amateur): Teams to be determined
Schedule of games
- May 30: Qualifying Deadline June 14: First Round (32 teams from USL PRO and Amateur Division) June 21: Second Round (First round winners) June 28: Third Round (Second round winners paired against eight MLS teams) July 12: Quarterfinals Aug. 30: Semifinals Oct. 4: Final
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