The first Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for many USL teams owned by MLS clubs this year may have been their last.
A new rule added by U.S. Soccer to the USOC bylaws forbids any team that is majority owned by a “higher-level” professional team from participating in the domestic tournament, the oldest of its kind of the US. That would prevent any of the nine USL teams owned by MLS clubs in the US from entering the tournament next year.
This summer, USL teams owned by the Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers, LA Galaxy, Real Salt Lake and New York Red Bulls were a part of the USOC.
