The granddaddy of US soccer is back and ready for action. Pop your corn and prepare yourself for cupsets galore, as the minnows of the American soccer scene shoot for the stars—only to have their dreams inevitably shattered by the big fish from Major League Soccer…or then again, maybe not. The US Open Cup is creeping closer and closer to the Twin Cities, and MNUFC are prepared to enter the Third Round. I’ve put together a little guide to make sure you know what’s happening, when it’s happening and why you should care that it’s happening.
How the USOC Works and Why It’s Totally Awesome
Since 1914, clubs across the country have fought for the title of best team in the nation. From amateur teams to top-tier squads, virtually any real soccer club can have their say, but they’ve got to earn the right to play.
While promotion and relegation provides a clear hierarchy in many nations, US Soccer has devised a tier system to separate the various leagues in America. MLS is considered Tier 1, USL Championship is Tier 2, and Tier 3 is made up of USL League 1, NISA, and MLS NEXT Pro. MLS NEXT Pro teams won’t be participating in the USOC, however, as they are considered reserve teams for their respective MLS squads.
All other teams in the top three tiers qualify for USOC automatically, entering the tournament at intervals based on their tier and performance in the previous season. Teams from the lower tiers still get a chance to compete, but only after passing through Open Division Qualifying.
In the initial rounds of Open Division Qualification, a total of 107 teams played several rounds of matches to determine who would get a spot in the big dance. This included everything from amateur teams to various forms of semi-pro, with representation from 25 of the 50 states.
Yeah, it’s kind of complicated. But that’s just part of the fun, get over it.
Once you get past all of the qualifying mumbo jumbo, it gets a bit more digestible. Each round is single elimination: lose, and you're done, regardless of what tier you came from. Pack your stuff, quit your whining, and move on. No one is immune to the infamous cupset, as MNUFC fans know all too well.
Each round is set up with a draw of the remaining teams, as well as any teams that are joining in that round. For example, MNUFC is joining in the Third Round, so they will be in a pot with the winners of the Second Round, as well as any other MLS teams making their tournament entrance. This system is meant to ensure that every game is worth playing, weeding out the weaker teams so that the “best” squads with more resources don’t absolutely demolish Average Joe’s Gym 30-0.
But here’s the beauty of it all: Average Joe’s has a chance to prove everyone wrong. Sure, there are more hurdles in front of the underdogs in this competition, but this is the only tournament in our country where the little guys get a chance to stick it to the man. No matter who you are, where you’re from, or how much money you have, your team gets a chance to play on a bigger stage, under brighter lights.
That’s what soccer’s all about — giving hope to the little guy in all of us. If that doesn’t get your blood pumping, I don’t know what will.
A Little History
Though the tournament has been played since the early 1900s, its recent history has been dominated and defined by Major League soccer. In fact, since the league was founded in 1996, an MLS squad has won every year but one.
The lone non-MLS team to win in that time frame was the Rochester Rhinos in 1999, a club now recently defunct after an unsuccessful rebrand and stint in MLS NEXT Pro. Thanks, Jamie Vardy, you killed a piece of American soccer history.
The two most successful teams in USOC history are Maccabee Los Angeles and Bethlehem Steel with five wins apiece. Like the Rhinos, neither team exists anymore.
Among MLS teams, Chicago Fire, SKC, and Seattle are tied for the most with four titles each. Orlando City SC are the current holders, ending Sacramento Republic’s Cinderella run in last year’s final.
MNUFC History and What’s Coming Up
Though the Loons haven’t won the trophy, they’ve gotten close. Unfortunately, soccer isn’t like horseshoes or hand grenades: close won’t put any trophies on the shelf.
Notably, Minnesota United’s best performance in the Cup was in the 2019 season. They advanced all the way to the final, ultimately falling to Atlanta United 2-1. Darwin Quintero was the tournament’s leading goalscorer on the season, with six goals that year. The current team looks vastly different to the one that lined up in 2019, with Michael Boxall, Hassani Dotson, and Robin Lod being the only starters remaining from the final.
Unfortunately, last season’s USOC run ended in a cupset. Union Omaha came to Allianz and took down the Loons on a 2-1 scoreline. The night wasn’t a total wash, as Minnesota’s MLS SuperDraft selection Ryen Jiba was on that Omaha squad, proving his skill to onlooking club executives.
With an aim to make it farther than last year, MNUFC will learn who their Third Round opponent will be during Thursday’s draw. Check the club’s social media channels, website and your email inbox for more information on dates, times, tickets and future opponents as the tournament progresses.
This is, in my humble opinion, the greatest tournament that US Soccer has to offer, so tune in and show up if you want to be part of the closest thing the American soccer landscape has to March Madness.
