NYCFC is back in the U.S. Open Cup and that is a great thing | OneFootball

New York City FC fans can celebrate! After a year away from the U.S. Open Cup, the team announced they will be back in the oldest soccer tournament in the United States. The Pigeons return after the craziness that went throughout Major League Soccer when the league initially announced that MLS would not participate. Eventually, eight teams did enter the competition, but the Bronx side was not one of them.

Instead, NYCFC II represented the club and went on an impressive run in the U.S. Open Cup, making it all the way to the Round of 16. Supporters might have missed seeing the first team play in the tournament, but at least the fantastic run by NYCFC II was an historical mark for the club.

NYCFC will play in the U.S. Open Cup and Leagues Cup

When all is said and done though, it is good to see that more MLS teams will be back in the oldest tournament. This year, 16 sides, including NYCFC, will be in the U.S. Open Cup. Of course, it would be better for every MLS team from the United States to participate, but an increase this year will have to do.

Of course, the reason of why everyone is not participating, which was utilized last season, is game congestion. In fact, this will not be the only tournament the Pigeons will be in. NYCFC will also be in the Leagues Cup, which changed this year as well. Instead of every MLS team, 18 will partake in the controversial tournament. This will match the amount of Liga MX teams, and the fixtures will occur without a break in the regular season.

The Leagues Cup will occur from July 29 through August 31 and the U.S. Open Cup should begin for NYCFC in the spring. They will enter in the Round of 32, similar to MLS teams in the past. Therefore, there will be points in the schedule that will be busier than expected. But how did the Pigeons end up in both tournaments when not every MLS team is playing in each of them?

To begin, every team will play in at least one tournament. Since NYCFC did not qualify for the CONCACAF Champions Cup, that means the other options were the other two tournaments. They are playing in the Leagues Cup because the top nine sides in each conference based on the 2024 season will play in that competition.

For the U.S. Open Cup, all teams not in the Champions Cup and Leagues Cup from the United States will participate. NYCFC is playing in the beloved tournament since the remaining spots were filled by those not playing in the Champions Cup.

As a result, this method is supposed to reduce the match congestion for MLS teams. However, it would be helpful for the league to expand the amount clubs can spend on rosters to ensure teams can play well and rotate their players to reduce injury.

Again, at least 16 teams are playing in the U.S. Open Cup. It is the right move and a step closer to ensuring everyone plays in the tournament down the road. It is a good thing, and thankfully, NYCFC is one of those 16 teams.