*The below release was forwarded on behalf of U.S. Soccer
CHICAGO (April 16, 2021) – At its meeting this week, U.S. Soccer’s Open Cup Committee made the decision not to hold the 2021 edition of the tournament this spring. The Committee cited the combined logistical and financial challenges still in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Committee will evaluate the possibility of conducting the competition in some fashion later in the year.
“The logistical and financial burdens to have the tournament take place this spring in the current environment are substantial,” said Open Cup Commissioner Paul Marstaller. “Even though all of U.S. Soccer’s member professional teams will be playing in their respective league competitions this year, the Committee did not feel it wise to have clubs divert important resources during the next two months for Open Cup play. Instead, we will look further into the future to see what possibilities might exist for 2021. After that, a full-scale 2022 Open Cup is less than a year away.”
Last month, the Committee approved a revised format for this year’s competition that would have included a total of 16 teams with representation from each of the four divisions that normally compete in the tournament: Professional Division I, Division II, Division III and the Open Division (encompassing all other affiliated teams and leagues).
