History of U.S. Open Cup in Timeline

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a knockout soccer competition in the United States, and it is the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the country. Originally known as the National Challenge Cup, it began in the 1913–1914 season. In 1999, the United States Soccer Federation renamed the cup after Lamar Hunt, a key figure in both the NASL and MLS.

1912: Dewar Cup Donated

In 1912, Sir Thomas Dewar donated the Dewar Cup for the promotion of soccer in the United States.

1913: First U.S. Open Cup Competition

In 1913, the first U.S. Open Cup competition, known then as the National Challenge Cup, was held.

1913: Competition Dates Back

The U.S. Open Cup competition dates back to 1913 when it was known as the "National Challenge Cup".

1914: Brooklyn Field Club Wins

In 1914, the Brooklyn Field Club won the inaugural National Challenge Cup, receiving a trophy donated by Thomas Dewar.

1914: Competition Dates Back

The U.S. Open Cup competition dates back to 1914 when it was known as the "National Challenge Cup".

1979: Dewar Cup Retired

In 1979, the Dewar Cup was retired due to poor condition.

1985: USASA Management

In 1985, U.S. Soccer handed over management of the National Challenge Cup to the USASA.

1995: U.S. Soccer Resumes Administration

In 1995, U.S. Soccer resumed its administration of the U.S. Open Cup competition.

1995: Richmond Kickers Win

In 1995, the Richmond Kickers of the USISL were the first professional team to win the U.S. Open Cup in the modern era.

1995: Modern Professional Era

The table of leading career goal scorers in the U.S Open Cup during the modern professional era (1995–present).

1996: MLS Teams Dominate

Since 1996, when MLS began play, MLS teams have largely dominated the U.S. Open Cup competition.

1997: Dewar Cup Brought Back

In 1997, the United States Adult Soccer Association brought the Dewar Cup back into use.

1999: Name Changed

In 1999, U.S. Soccer changed the official title of the tournament to the "Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup".

1999: Rochester Rhinos Win

In 1999, the Rochester Rhinos became the first lower division team to win the Open Cup in the MLS era.

1999: Renaming to Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

In 1999, the United States Soccer Federation renamed the National Challenge Cup to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, in honor of Lamar Hunt.

2007: First Representative

In 2007, the New England Revolution was the first team to represent the U.S. as Open Cup champion in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

2008: CONCACAF Champions Cup Berth

Since 2008, the champion of the U.S. Open Cup has earned the right to play in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

2011: Team Participation

Through the 2011 edition, eight teams from each level of the American Soccer Pyramid participated in the U.S. Open Cup, with leagues narrowing their delegations in the spring before the summer competition.

2012: Expanded Competition

In 2012, the U.S. Open Cup was expanded from 40 to 64 teams, with a radically changed qualifying process.

2012: Expansion to 64 Teams

In 2012, the U.S. Open Cup was expanded to 64 teams, with all MLS teams receiving an automatic berth.

2013: Further Expansion

In 2013, the U.S. Open Cup expanded to 68 teams, including all U.S.-based Division I, II, and III teams, along with amateur teams.

2013: Site Selection Change

In 2013, the process for determining the sites for the U.S. Open Cup semifinals and final was changed to a coin flip instead of a sealed-bid process.

2014: Expanded Competition

In 2014, the U.S. Open Cup was contested by at least 80 teams, including professional and amateur clubs from various leagues.

2015: Player Eligibility Issues

In 2015, issues arose with clubs holding back players from their USL sides to keep them eligible to play for their parent MLS club.

2016: Rule Change

A rule change enacted in 2016 removed U.S. Open Cup entries for teams majority-owned by another team in a higher tier.

2016: Eligibility Restrictions

Starting in 2016, lower-division professional clubs owned by higher-division professional clubs were no longer eligible to participate in the U.S. Open Cup.

2019: ESPN+ Broadcast Rights

In 2019, ESPN+ had exclusive broadcast rights for the U.S. Open Cup.

March 2020: Suspension of 2020 Edition

In March 2020, the first round of the 2020 U.S. Open Cup edition was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

August 2020: Cancellation of 2020 Edition

In August 2020, the 2020 U.S. Open Cup tournament was canceled entirely, with qualified teams automatically qualified for the following year.

2020: U.S. Open Cup Canceled

In 2020, the U.S. Open Cup was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021: Cancellation of 2021 Open Cup

In 2021, the U.S. Open Cup was canceled due to schedule congestion caused by the pandemic.

2021: End of Arrangement

In 2021, the arrangement between the Houston Dynamo and Rio Grande Valley FC Toros ended.

2021: U.S. Open Cup Canceled Again

The 2021 U.S. Open Cup was canceled due to schedule congestion caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

March 1, 2022: Multimedia Rights Deal

On March 1, 2022, U.S. Soccer and Turner Sports announced an 8-year exclusive multimedia rights deal for the United States men's and women's national teams, which includes the U.S. Open Cup.

2022: ESPN+ Broadcast Rights

In 2022, ESPN+ had exclusive broadcast rights for the U.S. Open Cup.

2022: Sacramento Republic FC reaches final

In 2022, Sacramento Republic FC became the most recent lower division team to reach the U.S. Open Cup final.

2022: Teams Drawn Against Each Other

In 2022, the Houston Dynamo and Rio Grande Valley FC Toros were drawn against each other in the U.S. Open Cup.

2022: U.S. Open Cup Returns

The 2022 U.S. Open Cup marked the return of the competition after cancellations in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2022: Tournament Resumed

The U.S. Open Cup tournament resumed in 2022 with 71 professional clubs out of a total field of 103, both modern-era records.

December 15, 2023: MLS Announces Reserve Teams

On December 15, 2023, MLS announced that MLS Next Pro affiliated reserve teams would be sent in place of MLS teams for the 2024 U.S. Open Cup edition.

December 20, 2023: U.S. Soccer Denies Waiver

On December 20, 2023, U.S. Soccer denied MLS the necessary waiver to allow affiliated MLS Next Pro teams to play in the tournament.

2023: MLS teams participate in every Open Cup competition

From 1996 to 2023, MLS teams had participated in every Open Cup competition.

2023: CBS Sports Agreement

In 2023, CBS Sports reached an agreement to air the semifinals and final of the U.S. Open Cup, on the CBS Sports Golazo Network, CBS Sports Network and Paramount+.

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March 1, 2024: Compromise Announced

On March 1, 2024, a compromise was announced that allowed eight MLS teams to participate with senior squads and eleven to be represented by MLS Next Pro teams; the teams participating in the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup would not send teams to the Open Cup.

2024: Apple TV+ Agreement

In 2024, Apple TV+, via MLS Season Pass, announced an agreement to air the quarterfinals, semifinals and final of the U.S. Open Cup.

2024: Los Angeles FC Wins

In 2024, Los Angeles FC won their first U.S. Open Cup title, defeating Sporting Kansas City in the final.

2024: MLS Teams Must Compete

In 2024, U.S. Soccer ruled that MLS teams must compete in the U.S. Open Cup, denying MLS's request to send reserve teams.

2025: Limited MLS Participation

For the 2025 US Open Cup, US Soccer announced that 16 MLS teams would appear in the fourth round and, for the first time in the modern era, the defending champions LAFC will not defend their crown with them instead participating in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.