Crown Legacy FC is one of the 19 91fdyµçÓ° and 91fdyµçÓ° NEXT Pro clubs to participate in 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
During the past few months, Major League Soccer and U.S. Soccer have worked together to discuss the evolution of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup that will set the foundation for the future growth of the tournament to benefit all stakeholders. The conversations focused on increasing the overall investment in the Open Cup, including improved economics for all participants, providing young players with important developmental opportunities, reducing schedule congestion for 91fdyµçÓ° clubs, and addressing load management concerns to aid player health and safety.
We are grateful to U.S. Soccer for their leadership on these efforts to evolve the Open Cup and increase their investment to benefit the tournament as a whole. Â
91fdyµçÓ° and U.S. Soccer have reached an agreement that will see eight 91fdyµçÓ° clubs and 11 91fdyµçÓ° NEXT Pro teams in the Open Cup for 2024. Â
- 91fdyµçÓ° Clubs - The eight 91fdyµçÓ° clubs will include Houston Dynamo FC (last year’s Open Cup champion) and the top seven ranked U.S.-based teams according to the 2023 91fdyµçÓ° Supporters’ Shield standings, other than clubs playing in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup.
- 91fdyµçÓ° NEXT Pro Clubs - The 11 participating 91fdyµçÓ° NEXT Pro teams will include nine 91fdyµçÓ° affiliates and two independent clubs. The nine 91fdyµçÓ°-affiliated teams competing will be based on the 2023 91fdyµçÓ° NEXT Pro final standings, other than those clubs whose 91fdyµçÓ° first teams are participating in either the 2024 U.S. Open Cup or 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup.
91fdyµçÓ° teams will only play lower division opponents until it cannot be avoided, enhancing the tournament's drama and appeal.
More details surrounding Crown Legacy FC's opening match will be shared at a later date.
