The Jeopardy Gap: MLS and the Open Cup Crisis

OPINION: Major League Soccer Commissioner Larry Berg recently spoke of the need for "games of consequence" and "jeopardy" to capture the passion and supporter culture seen during the World Cup, as reported by The Guardian. Yet, the league's approach to the U.S. Open Cup suggests a disconnect between this rhetoric and reality.

Established in 1913, the Open Cup is the most prestigious domestic competition in the U.S., offering the kind of underdog narratives—such as Sacramento Republic reaching the 2022 final or the success of amateur side El Farolito—that are rare in American franchise sports. According to The Guardian, the tournament reached a peak in 2023 with a record 71 professional teams entering.

However, MLS has treated this authentic heartbeat as a nuisance. The Guardian reports that at the end of 2023, MLS announced it would no longer enter its teams, a move coinciding with the expansion of the SUM-marketed Leagues Cup. While backlash forced a compromise, the damage remains: only 16 of the 27 U.S.-based MLS teams entered the 2025 edition.

While USL president and CEO Paul McDonough is pushing for a professional pyramid that includes a new "Premier" league by 2028 and a merit-based qualification system, MLS continues to drift away from the tournament's chaotic charm. If Berg truly wants the "drama" and "emotion" that makes soccer unique, he should look to the Open Cup rather than trying to manufacture it through playoffs. By sidelining the tournament, MLS isn't just avoiding a schedule conflict; it is risking the cultural momentum of the American game.