The 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup will advance to the round of 32 and the tournament will resume with 16 games. This year’s tournament will feature MLS teams in the competition for the first time, but only eight teams will compete for American soccer’s oldest trophy.
Atlanta United, Houston Dynamo, FC Dallas, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders, LAFC, Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake round out the only remaining MLS Next Pro team, New York City FC II・He will join in Ob32. The other 23 teams in the USL Championship and USL League 1 want them eliminated as punishment for the league’s decision not to play the full tournament.
So which MLS team has the best chance of breaking out of their division and winning it all? First, let’s take a look at the divisions in the Round of 32.
Don’t get me wrong, the MLS affiliate teams have some work to do, and the other teams in the field aren’t going to make it easy for them. So let’s rank the MLS member teams most likely to win the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophy.
9. New York City FC II
NYCFC II is going through its toughest time with the departure of its only MLS Next Pro team. They are also grouped with MLS side Real Salt Lake and will play the Colorado Springs Switchbacks (USL-C) in their first game. New Mexico United (USL-C) is also in the same division, so not only would they have to travel if they won, but their roster would be extremely thin.
8. Seattle Sounders
Seattle is in a very tough group as they will face Louisville City (USL-C) in their first match. If they win, they will face either North Carolina FC (USL-C) or Phoenix Rising (USL-C) in the Round of 16.
7. FC Dallas
FC Dallas may be the weakest team in MLS, but the draw didn’t help them against some tough teams that are seriously considering the U.S. Open Cup. They will face Memphis 901 (USL-C) in the Round of 32, and either Birmingham Legion (USL-C) or the Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL-C) await in the Round of 16.
6. Houston Dynamo
The defending US Open Cup champions drew in a difficult division and will face up-and-coming Detroit City (USL-C) in the Round of 32. Indy Eleven (USL-C) and San Antonio FC (USL-C) could be in the round of 16. That means he has experience beating MLS teams in the tournament, and there are three teams that want to beat his defending champions.
5. Sporting Kansas City
Sporting Kansas City will be at full strength as they play Union Omaha (USL-1) next week and could face either FC Tulsa (USL-C) or Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL-C) in the Round of 16. I am doing my best.
4. San Jose Earthquake
The Quakes are a difficult group, but they’re one of the teams in MLS that doesn’t need to travel very far. They will host the Oakland Roots (USL-C) and then face the winner of the Sacramento Republic (USL-C) and Monterey Bay FC (USL-1), so even if they hit the road, they will is playing against teams such as: They are seen as rivals in the lower leagues and will remain focused as a result.
3. Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake has been in poor form lately and has a chance to take the lead in the U.S. Open Cup. They face New Mexico United (USL-C) on the road, but also have New York CFC II (MLSNP) and Colorado Springs Switchbacks (USL-C) in the group, and they hope to continue their run and reach their goal. We need to prepare for it. Trophy.
2.LAFC
LAFC is one of the MLS teams that will have to open the season away from home against long-time partner Las Vegas Lights (USL-C). With Loudoun United (USL-C) and Orange County SC (USL-C) also in the same bracket, LAFC is the class of the division and arguably the best team in the field.
1. Atlanta United
Atlanta has the best combination of being a good team in the divisions they should be able to handle. They will face Charlotte Independence (USL-C) and the winner of Charleston Battery (USL-C) and South Georgia Tormenta (USL-1). Their roster needs to be built to have the longest run in this tournament and a chance to hoist the trophy for the second time.
The Round of 32 is sure to be special. While many are rooting for the Cup set, fans of these nine teams are looking forward to Open Cup glory when their teams take the field.
