"2024 U.S. Open Cup: MLS Dominance and U.S. Soccer Control"
The power dynamics in American soccer are shifting, with MLS exerting significant influence over the U.S. Open Cup. The U.S. Soccer Federation has compromised with MLS, allowing only eight of its 26 eligible teams to participate in the 2024 Open Cup, along with eleven "MLS Next Pro" teams. This compromise reflects the growing influence of MLS owners and the league's financial contributions to U.S. Soccer, raising questions about who truly controls the sport and highlighting the federation's dependency on MLS.


