19 teams to participate in 102nd Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
The participating teams and format for the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup were announced by U.S. Soccer, to participate in the tournament this summer.
A total of 91 teams will play for the $250,000 prize this year: 17 from MLS, nine from NASL, 21 from USL PRO, 19 from PDL, 12 from NPSL, 11 from USASA, one from U.S. Club Soccer, and one from USSSA.
“We’re looking forward to the 2015 edition of the U.S. Open Cup,” said NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson. “It’s a very important competition for all of our players, coaches, and fans. We’ve stated that our collective goal is to win the tournament and maybe this year is the year.”
U.S. Soccer has implemented a new, geographically-based random draw to determine matches in the round of 16. The 16 fourth-round winners will be divided geographically (regardless of league affiliation) into groups of four and a random draw, scheduled for June 18, will determine the pairings within each group in the fifth round.
Participating Professional Teams (47 total):
Major League Soccer (Division I – 17 teams, entering in the Fourth Round): Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew SC, D.C. United, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, LA Galaxy, New England Revolution, New York City FC, New York Red Bulls, Orlando City SC, Philadelphia Union, Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders FC, Sporting Kansas City
North American Soccer League (Division II – 9 teams, entering in the Third Round):
Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Indy Eleven, Jacksonville Armada, Minnesota United FC, New York Cosmos, San Antonio Scorpions, Tampa Bay Rowdies
USL PRO (Division III – 21 teams, entering in the Second Round):
Arizona United, Austin Aztex, Charleston Battery, Charlotte Independence, Colorado Springs Switchbacks, Harrisburg City Islanders, LA Galaxy II, Louisville City FC, New York Red Bulls (USL PRO), Oklahoma City Energy, Orange County Blues, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Portland Timbers 2, Real Monarchs SLC, Richmond Kickers, Rochester Rhinos, Sacramento Republic, Saint Louis FC, Seattle Sounders 2, Tulsa Roughnecks, Wilmington Hammerheads
For more details on the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, visit www.ussoccer.com.
