When Minnesota United, and its previous iterations, were in the lower levels of soccer, the U.S. Open Cup provided an opportunity to knock off higher-level MLS teams in a national tournament.
MLS has now taken away that chance for aspiring underdogs.
The league said Friday its Board of Governors has voted for each club’s lower-level MLS Next Pro teams to represent them in the Open Cup in 2024, removing the chance for stirring “Cupsets.”
USL, the second tier in U.S. soccer, called the MLS change a “surprise,” per a statement from USL President Paul McDonough. He added: “We will speak with U.S. Soccer, and with our owners, before making any further publicly comments about MLS’s position.”
Longer-term supporters of Minnesota’s pro soccer teams have memories of when their smaller club knocked off MLS teams, including a win over Real Salt Lake in 2012.
In 2005, Minnesota Thunder took down Colorado Rapids and RSL. In 2004, the Thunder knocked off the L.A. Galaxy in the Metrodome.
Now in MLS, MNUFC has been on the other side of “Cupsets,” including USL side Union Omaha beating the Loons in St. Paul in 2022. In 2023, the Loons had to go to Detroit City and scratch out a win against a motivated club to advance.
The all-levels tournament goes down to the grassroots and will start its 109th edition, which will include Duluth FC of the NPSL, with the first round in March.
MLS said the inclusion of Next Pro teams, including MNUFC2, in Open Cup will allow more developmental players to participate, while opening up six midweek match dates.
Last year, MLS started Leagues Cup with clubs from Mexico’s Liga MX, and games in that North American tournament occupied a month within the MLS’ 34-match regular season.
