Sometimes when you sit down to write an article, there’s a whole lot of backstory that needs to be added to catch the reader up. Particularly if the reader is new to the situation or doesn’t visit your site often. This story is not that kind of article. Also, I’m confident there are sites that will write better, more complete versions of this article; however, we had to write something about it. It’s too important not to.

Yesterday, in Friday evening news dump fashion, MLS announced that “its clubs voted to have MLS NEXT Pro teams represent the organization in the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.” For years, Don Garber and his MLS sycophants had complained of the strain USOC had become for his clubs. In a quote from earlier this year, the commissioner telegraphed his organization’s exit by complaining that the competition was “a very poor reflection on what it is that we're trying to do with soccer at the highest level.” In the same interview, he rejoiced that the Cup was struggling to find a broadcast partner and complained about the fields his division one teams had been forced to play on*. Don Garber is not a fan of the Open Cup. Of course, his biggest complaints center on schedule congestion, which MLS has escalated with the development of its own competition, Leagues Cup**. But I said I wouldn’t do too much explaining of the situation, so I’ll stop here.

Needless to say, soccer Twitter has almost universally criticized the move. If there’s anything most soccer fans love, its a good cup competition and all the David vs Goliath matchups that come with it. If you remove all the Goliaths, it changes the equation dramatically and massively weakens the competition.

As a site, we’re ardent proponents of the US Open Cup. We believe that a cup, open to all clubs, regardless of starting point, is vital to a healthy soccer ecosystem. It is a common denominator across the world, in every country where soccer has developed. Division one clubs are expected (and, according to bylaws, required***) to participate. MLS deciding to ditch the competition is unacceptable and unlawful.

To further exacerbate the situation, many of the most prominent journalists who cover MLS have remained silent or even justified the move via social media. Motivations for their approach can only be speculated, but, given that MLS funds much of the coverage of its league through its own site, social media, and video content, those motivations might be guessed. Other journalists may be concerned about access to the league should they criticize the move. Credit to some who have spoken out****, of course, but many of the biggest names are so far silent.

Our site doesn’t cover MLS clubs or competition, aside from the Open Cup, so we can’t boycott covering the league. We never covered it. However, as a group, we are massive fans of the Open Cup. Don Garber and MLS are not bigger than the sport of soccer, regardless of what a bunch of billionaires may think. US Soccer cannot stand by and allow this to happen. Anything other than a full-on fistfight is a blot on the federation*****. It may be true that MLS has a tremendous amount of power, but that does not mean that it cannot be forced to back down.

We will continue to support the Open Cup. We continue to believe it is the best competition in the American game. We firmly believe that this competition is bigger than any one league, even MLS. This Cup was established in 1914 and we will throw our weight into covering it for another century. It’s time to stand up and defend what is ours as American soccer fans. It’s time to defend the US Open Cup.

- Dan Vaughn

* Please see this post from Mike Pendleton regarding which fields Garber and friends are so disappointed in.

** Given when MLS sides enter the competition, USOC potentially adds 5 matches for 2 MLS teams (for most it adds 1 or 2 matches, depending on results).

*** According to Professional League Standards, Division 1 teams are required to play in Federation competitions they are eligible to play in. Check Prof Bank’s post on this.

**** Maybe the most prominent “MLS coverage journalist” to speak out critically of the move is Pablo Maurer, who is currently with The Athletic, but built much of his reputation writing for MLS outlets.

***** I do not think that the federation and MLS are the same entity, as some online claim. I think that, for years, they had the same goals and worked together. I think that is changing. For a list of things that US Soccer COULD do, check out this social media thread by @TheChrisKessell