Major League Soccer (MLS) has revised how clubs will participate in the US Open Cup, Leagues Cup, and Champions Cup.
The new adjustment aims to create a logical balance with the packed calendar while managing player workload.
MLS clubs will compete in at least one but no more than two competitions for the next two seasons, thus changing the number of participating teams in the Leagues Cup and the US Open Cup.
Here is the breakdown:
Leagues Cup participation
Only 18 MLS clubs will participate in the 2024 Leagues Cup, a reduction from the participation of the 29 teams in past seasons.
Based on last season’s standings, the top nine teams from the Western and Eastern conferences qualify. However, San Diego FC is an exception because they are debutants.
They include:
- Atlanta United
- Charlotte FC
- CF Montréal
- Colorado Rapids
- Columbus Crew
- FC Cincinnati
- Houston Dynamo
- Inter Miami CF
- LA Galaxy
- LAFC
- Minnesota United
- New York Red Bulls
- NYCFC
- Orlando City
- Portland Timbers
- Real Salt Lake
- San Diego FC
- Seattle Sounders
US Open Cup participation
The 2025 US Open Cup will see 16 MLS clubs participate, an increase from the eight teams last season. American MLS clubs not enlisted for the Leagues or Champions Cup automatically qualify. The rest, though, are selected based on Supporters’ Shield rankings.
These 16 MLS clubs will compete in the US Open Cup:
- Austin FC
- Chicago Fire
- D.C. United
- FC Dallas
- Minnesota United
- Houston Dynamo
- Nashville SC
- New England Revolution
- New York Red Bulls
- NYCFC
- Orlando City
- Philadelphia Union
- Portland Timbers
- San Jose Earthquakes
- St. Louis City SC
- Charlotte FC
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Champions Cup participation
Ten MLS clubs will participate in the Concacaf Champions Cup subject to Concacaf qualification rules. The tournament will commence in February, and the MLS teams will join the Round of 32 starting on February 18.
The 10 MLS clubs include:
- FC Cincinnati
- Colorado Rapids
- Columbus Crew
- LA Galaxy
- LAFC
- Inter Miami CF
- Real Salt Lake
- Seattle Sounders
- Sporting KC
- Vancouver Whitecaps
Canadian Championship participation
Two Canadian MLS teams will participate in the Canadian Championship rather than the US Open Cup:
- Toronto FC
- Vancouver Whitecaps
Club World Cup representation
Seattle Sounders and Inter Miami will represent MLS in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, hosted in the United States.
These adjustments will ease fixture congestion and keep the teams competitive across various tournaments. The new structure enables each club to focus on one or two major competitions, which helps them avoid exhaustion and focus on performance.