2021 U.S. Open Cup

Fantazma

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The 2021 U.S. Open cup will happen but in a reduced format. There will be only 8 MLS teams, so its very possible that we don't take part in it ( since I assume they will go with MLS CUP winners/ finalists and teams making it farther into the playoffs or better record in the overall table).

Summary Below:

May 4-5 - First Round

- Four amateur teams from the Open division comprising USL League Two, NPSL and local qualifying tournaments (from among 36 eligible 2020 qualifiers)

- Four teams from USL League One and NISA (two each)

- Eight teams from USL Championship

May 18-19 - Round of 16

- Eight teams from MLS

May 25-26 - Quarterfinals

June 15-16 - Semifinals

June 29-30 - Final

https://www.si.com/soccer/2021/02/08/us-open-cup-2021-plans-us-soccer-teams-format
 
The 2021 U.S. Open cup will happen but in a reduced format. There will be only 8 MLS teams, so its very possible that we don't take part in it ( since I assume they will go with MLS CUP winners/ finalists and teams making it farther into the playoffs or better record in the overall table).

Summary Below:

May 4-5 - First Round

- Four amateur teams from the Open division comprising USL League Two, NPSL and local qualifying tournaments (from among 36 eligible 2020 qualifiers)

- Four teams from USL League One and NISA (two each)

- Eight teams from USL Championship

May 18-19 - Round of 16

- Eight teams from MLS

May 25-26 - Quarterfinals

June 15-16 - Semifinals

June 29-30 - Final

https://www.si.com/soccer/2021/02/08/us-open-cup-2021-plans-us-soccer-teams-format

I could actually see MLS doing something where the teams that aren't participating in CCL or Leagues Cup are the ones entered into the US Open Cup. That way more teams have knockout soccer to market.
 
The federation’s Open Cup committee will have the final say on who gets in. Among the possibilities are using 2020 league results, a blind draw or some combination thereof.

“Everything is on the table,” Marstaller said.


Only 8 MLS teams will qualify for this tournament. Here's my thinking...

So NYCFC was 7th in points and points per game in 2020.

A "blind draw" from U.S. Soccer is never really blind (in my conspiracy based opinion).

I think they'll go off the teams that can sell the most tickets to the game based on COVID restrictions.

U.S. Soccer needs that money.
 
A few of the other teams you won't see with the reduced format that should have taken part in 2020:
  • New York Pancyprian-Freedoms
  • Vereinigung Erzgebirge
  • The Villages SC
What lower division team am I even going to root for
 
The federation’s Open Cup committee will have the final say on who gets in. Among the possibilities are using 2020 league results, a blind draw or some combination thereof.

“Everything is on the table,” Marstaller said.


Only 8 MLS teams will qualify for this tournament. Here's my thinking...

So NYCFC was 7th in points and points per game in 2020.

A "blind draw" from U.S. Soccer is never really blind (in my conspiracy based opinion).

I think they'll go off the teams that can sell the most tickets to the game based on COVID restrictions.

U.S. Soccer needs that money.

they should just say they sent out "invitations" to the 8 teams. i feel its less insulting than calling it a "draw"


I could actually see MLS doing something where the teams that aren't participating in CCL or Leagues Cup are the ones entered into the US Open Cup. That way more teams have knockout soccer to market.

yea many are speculating this, today there should be an official statement from us open cup committee but i dont think there will be many details on who will go to the tournament.
 
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just happy to have it back

the majority seem to hate the format. I think its because they feel its really really unfair to the lower league teams ( and imo it is ).

considering we normally have slow starts we probably wont even qualify. although it would be very nycfc to start 3/3 this year and further putting more pressure on our already limited squad.
 
the majority seem to hate the format. I think its because they feel its really really unfair to the lower league teams ( and imo it is ).

considering we normally have slow starts we probably wont even qualify. although it would be very nycfc to start 3/3 this year and further putting more pressure on our already limited squad.

oh i agree. it is not the best format for lower league teams. but it will probably change back to how it was next year. hopefully they continue to tweak the format to make it more fair for all teams participating. but as an american soccer tradition, it's nice to see it being held again.

and yea - we probably won't even qualify. our pre-season form is decent, which probably means when the actual season starts, we're going to be horrendous.
 
oh i agree. it is not the best format for lower league teams. but it will probably change back to how it was next year. hopefully they continue to tweak the format to make it more fair for all teams participating. but as an american soccer tradition, it's nice to see it being held again.

and yea - we probably won't even qualify. our pre-season form is decent, which probably means when the actual season starts, we're going to be horrendous.

i do agree. US open cup does not get attention it deserves. I think its because SUM does not control it so it doesnt promote it.
 
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My tinfoil hat is already on that we don't do well in the first three games in order for us to miss qualifying because we don't have a stadium to host these matches with ease. The MLS/USSF/PRO cabal doing it work!

But in actuality we'll probably not do well because Deila.
 
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My tinfoil hat is already on that we don't do well in the first three games in order for us to miss qualifying because we don't have a stadium to host these matches with ease. The MLS/USSF/PRO cabal doing it work!

But in actuality we'll probably not do well because Deila.

we can do USOC at St. Johns like we have in the past. so not a big deal.. until USSF/MLS say it's not good enough in the later stages cause the TV angles are too poor or whatever
 
we can do USOC at St. Johns like we have in the past. so not a big deal.. until USSF/MLS say it's not good enough in the later stages cause the TV angles are too poor or whatever

Will St. Johns allow that given COVID?

What's more likely is that should we qualify, during the "draw" we would be playing all our matches away.
 
My tinfoil hat is already on that we don't do well in the first three games in order for us to miss qualifying because we don't have a stadium to host these matches with ease. The MLS/USSF/PRO cabal doing it work!

But in actuality we'll probably not do well because Deila.

we could always not apply to host. Although i think they will for the first round ( should we qualify) because it will be against a lower league team.
 
My tinfoil hat is already on that we don't do well in the first three games in order for us to miss qualifying because we don't have a stadium to host these matches with ease. The MLS/USSF/PRO cabal doing it work!

But in actuality we'll probably not do well because Deila.

I know he got off to a bad start and first impressions are hard to break, but NYCFC finished 11-3-3 last season.

Deila can't get all the blame for the 1-5-0 start and get no credit for the 11-3-3 end.
 
I know he got off to a bad start and first impressions are hard to break, but NYCFC finished 11-3-3 last season.

Deila can't get all the blame for the 1-5-0 start and get no credit for the 11-3-3 end.

Why should he get credit for something that happened after the players got together and told him to back off and let them play the way they know how...?
 
Why should he get credit for something that happened after the players got together and told him to back off and let them play the way they know how...?

Because he's still the coach and still had to make those decisions. Also last year was such a bullshit season with impossible conditions for a first-year coach that he gets a pass for anything that happened. This year, for all intents and purposes, is his first season with us.