The United States’ oldest competition got some major changes as the field was expanded to 64, qualifying for MLS teams was eliminated and the start and end dates were pushed up
U.S. Open Cup Makes Major Changes As Field Expands To 64, All MLS Teams Qualify
The 2012 U.S. Open Cup will look very different than the 98 editions before it after a series of changes to the competition made by the United States Soccer Federation. Beginning in 2012, the competition will expand to 64 teams and all 16 American MLS teams will qualify for the tournament proper, eliminating the MLS qualifying round that has been in place since MLS began play in 1996.
The 64 teams that will be in the 2012 field will be a professional era (1995-present) record and every professional club in the country will get a spot in the field without having to qualify. Professional clubs will make up half the field, with the other half made up by amateur clubs. The amateur clubs will compete in the first round and will be joined by NASL and USL PRO clubs in the second round. MLS clubs will join the competition in the third round, giving the competition 32 teams in each of the first three rounds
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