New York City FC are back in the US Open Cup after skipping the tournament in 2024.
According to sources who are not authorized to speak on the record, Hudson River Blue learned that New York City are among the 16 Major League Soccer teams that will participate in the 2025 US Open Cup, which will be the 110th edition of the competition. NYCFC, along with the other MLS clubs, will join the tournament in the Round of 32.
No official statement has been made by New York City, MLS, or United States Soccer.
The Round of 32 draw will be held on Thursday, April 17. The Round of 32 matches will be played on Tuesday, May 6, and Wednesday, May 7.
In addition, HRB learned that 10 MLS NEXT Pro teams will be included in the tournament. This group includes eight yet-to-be determined teams associated with MLS Clubs, and Carolina Core FC and Chattanooga FC, the league's two independent teams. Because New York City will be participating in the 2025 US Open Cup, NYCFC II will not be among those in the competition.
US Open Cup at Randall's Island?
According to a rule change for 2025, Division I teams will "be predetermined as home/away based on seeding and venue availability." In other words, the MLS teams will likely host their Round of 32 matchups provided that a home venue is available.
It brings up the tantalizing possibility that New York City will host their US Open Cup Round of 32 game at Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island. The 5,000-seat venue that was upgraded to professional standards after the club donated $3 million to the Randall’s Island Park Alliance last year.
Andrew Leigh
A controversial 2024
Only eight MLS teams took part in 2024, breaking a tradition that all professional squads in the United States take part. At the time, league commissioner Don Garber defended the controversial decision by citing schedule congestion for Division I teams (MLS and Liga MX introduced the month-long Leagues Cup tournament the year before) and small audiences at US Open Cup games.
Those eight MLS teams were joined by 11 MLS NEXT Pro teams, including NYCFC II. The Baby Blues advanced farther than any Division III team in the country, becoming the tournament's Cinderella story after logging upset wins over Division II sides Hartford Athletic and Colorado Springs Switchbacks.
NYCFC II were knocked out by New Mexico United in the Round of 16. New Mexico lost to LAFC in the following round.
Hudson River Blue Staff
The results papered over widespread anger at MLS for limiting the number of teams sent to the US Open Cup. Supporters' Groups across the country boycotted early rounds of the tournament, and held demonstrations to protest the decision to prioritize Leagues Cup, which is wholly owned by MLS and Liga MX, over US Open Cup, which is operated by the US Soccer Federation. "The Open Cup Matters" became the rallying cry of the movement.
The 16 clubs that are to participate this year might be double the eight that played in 2024, but it still means that 14 MLS clubs will not send their First Teams to the oldest tournament in the United States.
Michael Battista
Oliver Strand
