The US Open Cup- What is it?

Tomorrow, Sounders FC will take on Real Salt Lake in a Play-In game for the US Open Cup. Kickoff is at 7p and the game will be played at Starfire in Tukwila. The game is sold out.

For many new Sounders fans the US Open Cup is a new thing. We’ve received a few emails about it so hopefully we can clarify what it is, and why we want to do well in it.

First, the US Open Cup has been in existence since 1914 and is a tournament that is open to all clubs in the nation’s top 5 levels of play that are affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation.

Here is a quick rundown of those levels…

1. MLS
2. USL-1
3. USL-2
4. Premier Development League (PDL), National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), Pacific Coast Soccer League (PCSL)
5. US Adult Soccer Association

The top 8 teams from each level is invited to participate in the US Open Cup. MLS automatically awards 6 of its spots to the top 6 clubs from the previous season. The remaining two spots are determined through a “Play-in”.

Sounders FC are participating in that Play-In tournament tomorrow against Real Salt Lake. If they win, they will play the Colorado Rapids to win one of the two Play-In spots.

Tomorrow’s game must have a winner. If the score is tied at the end of extra time (two 15-minute periods), a winner will be determined by Penalty Kicks.

The game is not included in the 2009 MLS Standings.

The US Open Cup is played concurrently through the MLS Season leading to multiple games in a week causing some squads and coaches to determine which game(s) are more important.

General Manager Adrian Hanauer and Head Coach Sigi Schmid have noted that the Open Cup is important to them and that success in the Open Cup can lead to a global exposure that the club is looking to gain.

The winner of the US Open Cup earns a spot in CONCACAF’s Champions League- the club championship for North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Any other questions? Feel free to ask away in the comments.