Last season some supporters groups mounted a boycott on behalf of the U.S. Open Cup. They still haven’t gotten what they wanted, but MLS is creeping closer to it.
It’s a wiggly path back to full MLS participation in the U.S. Open Cup. However, MLS and Orlando City SC have entered a twisted, oblique path back to U.S. Open Cup competition. It’s a new competition structure called the North American Cup.
Clubs involved in a group of different competitions including the U.S. Open Cup will end up this year competing in a structure called the North American Cup. This structure provides competitive opportunities outside of MLS. A club like Orlando City SC may play in one – but not more than two – of four competitions. They are the Canadian Championship, Concacaf Champions Cup, U.S. Open Cup, and the Leagues Cup.
Time will tell if attempted boycotts are still warranted. But first, all MLS teams must win their way through their assigned competitions. It works as follows.
While only eight MLS clubs participated in the U.S. Open Cup last year, that number now increased to 16. Ten MLS NEXT Pro clubs will also make it. Teams not in the League Cup or Concacaf Champions Cup tournaments will automatically qualify for the Open Cup.
The Concacaf Champions Cup will run from Feb. 1 through June 1. Ten MLS clubs will compete. Eight of those clubs will start in Round 1. MLS Cup Champion LA Galaxy and Leagues Cup winner Columbus Crew will start in the Round of 16.
From July 31-Aug. 31 18 MLS clubs will face 18 Liga MX squads in the Leagues Cup.
Orlando City SC will be competing for one of three spots in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. The winner will represent the region in FIFA international club competitions.
Keep an eye open to see where Orlando City SC winds up in the competitions of the North American Cup. More will be revealed soon.