NEWS: Atlanta United one of eight MLS clubs to compete in 2024 U.S. Open Cup

After much consternation, the participating teams have been announced.

The 2024 U.S. Open Cup drama has officially come to an end. After months of back and forth between Major League Soccer and the U.S. Soccer Federation on which clubs would participate, it has been decided that only eight MLS sides will enter their first-teams into the tournament.

Joining Atlanta United in sending their top squad into the USOC field will be: Houston Dynamo, FC Dallas, Sporting KC, Los Angeles FC, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes and Seattle Sounders FC.

In addition to the eight MLS clubs entering the field, 11 MLS Next Pro teams will be participating as well. They include: Austin FC II, Carolina Core, Chattanooga FC, Chicago Fire II, Colorado Rapids 2, Crown Legacy FC, Los Angeles Galaxy II, Minnesota United 2, New York City FC II, New York Red Bull II and Portland Timbers 2.

Clubs who will not participate in the tournament entirely include those not eligible (Canadian clubs) and those playing in Concacaf Champions Cup. D.C. United is the only MLS club who will not be represented at all in the competition.

Dates to know

The eight participating MLS teams will enter in the Round of 32. The 11 participating MLS NEXT Pro teams will enter in the First Round.

Dates are subject to change.

First Round: March 19 - March 21

Second Round: April 2 - April 3

Third Round: April 16 - April 17

Round of 32: May 7 - May 8

Round of 16: May 21 - May 22

Quarterfinal: July 9 - July 10

Semifinal: Aug. 27 - Aug. 28

Final: Sept. 25

MLS made their intentions of wanting to step away from the U.S. Open Cup known in December when they announced that all of their MLS Next Pro teams would take their first-team’s place in the tournament for 2024. Despite their insistence on such a huge shift in focus, the USSF denied their request to do so, leading to months of negotiating that have led us to this news.

Schedule congestion is one major excuse that MLS has used for their reasoning for wanting to withdraw their first-teams from the USOC. It appears that they have agreed to compromise with this format, sending only teams who are not participating in Concacaf competitions already. Atlanta United became one of the eight MLS teams due to its 2023 ranking in the Supporters’ Shield race.

It’s abundantly clear that MLS and the USSF are at odds on the future of the U.S. Open Cup. While this year’s drama has reached a conclusion, we can likely expect more conversations down the road on how to adjust the tournament to everyone’s approval.