PDL Clubs Prepare for First Round of U.S. Open Cup
The most PDL clubs in history will take the field for the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with kickoff of the First Round set for April 12th. The team that advances furthest from the Open Division, which the PDL is a part of, will earn a $15,000 cash prize.
PDL Soccer News: Led by the 2016 PDL Championship winners Michigan Bucks, a total of 21 Premier Development League franchises have qualified for the First Round of the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
“The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup provides a unique opportunity for amateur players in the PDL to be exposed to professional clubs and competition across North America while taking part in one of the world’s longest-running soccer tournaments,” said PDL Director Todd Eason. “We are thrilled to have a record-high 21 of our teams taking part in 2017 and look forward to supporting each and every one of our clubs as they attempt to make a deep run in the tournament.”
Each 2016 PDL division winner – the Bucks, FC Tucson, Charlotte Eagles, Des Moines Menace, Reading United AC, OKC Energy U23, Fresno Fuego, The Villages SC and GPS Portland Phoenix – qualified for this year’s edition of the tournament, while the Sounders U23 were the highest-finishing U.S.-based team in the Northwest Division.
The pairings for the First Round of the tournament, as well as the Second Round possible matchups, will be revealed by U.S. Soccer on April 12th.
Teams from the United Soccer League will enter the 104th edition of the tournament in the Second Round, with a USL record-high 18 teams beginning play on May 17th.
The Third Round will be held on May 31st, and then Major League Soccer clubs will begin U.S. Open Cup play in the Fourth Round on June 14th.
Photo Credit: United Soccer League
