US Open Cup and DIII Soccer

Kuiper · March 02, 2024, 03:25:17 PM

This is a little off topic, but not entirely, so hopefully you will indulge me. @SimpleCoach has talked a bit on his podcast about the Open Cup and USSF/MLS's decision to allow them only to enter 8 teams in then tournament this year. Lots of people upset with that, since the Open Cup is the oldest tournament in America and the only chance for lower-division teams to test themselves against higher teams in the absence of pro/rel. MLS complains, however, that the Open Cup is really poorly run and a financial strain on teams. Some blame MLS itself, since Soccer United Marketing, which is owned by MLS owners, (but not entirely because a private equity fund owned a portion of it for awhile) was in charge of marketing the tournament on behalf of US Soccer for years. On the other hand, regardless of marketing, it is true that US Open Cup games, especially mid-week games, are often not well attended. Some of that is because of traffic/work etc getting in the way and some of it is because lower league teams don't have regular field access, leaving hosting to MLS teams whose fans don't have Open Cup games as part of their season ticket packages and don't really care much about the competition.

If you're a fan of the Open Cup AND of DIII soccer, though, here's a chance to support the tournament AND support DIII soccer in the process! They just announced the first round games and three of them are at DIII fields. Each gives you an opportunity to see an amateur side take on a professional side on the campus of a DIII school.

https://www.ussoccer.com/us-open-cup/schedule

Wednesday, March 20 at 7 pm (Central) Chicago House AC v. Minnesota United FC 2 at Elmhurst University Langhorst Field, Elmhurst, IL

Thursday, March 21 at 7:30 pm (Eastern) Motown v. NYCFC II at Montclair State Pittston Field

Thursday, March 21st at 7:30 pm (Eastern) Vereinigung Erzgebirge vs. Charlotte Independence at Cairn University; Langhorne, PA

Newenglander · March 03, 2024, 08:13:44 PM

Quote from: Kuiper on March 02, 2024, 03:25:17 PMThis is a little off topic, but not entirely, so hopefully you will indulge me. @SimpleCoach has talked a bit on his podcast about the Open Cup and USSF/MLS's decision to allow them only to enter 8 teams in then tournament this year. Lots of people upset with that, since the Open Cup is the oldest tournament in America and the only chance for lower-division teams to test themselves against higher teams in the absence of pro/rel. MLS complains, however, that the Open Cup is really poorly run and a financial strain on teams. Some blame MLS itself, since Soccer United Marketing, which is owned by MLS owners, (but not entirely because a private equity fund owned a portion of it for awhile) was in charge of marketing the tournament on behalf of US Soccer for years. On the other hand, regardless of marketing, it is true that US Open Cup games, especially mid-week games, are often not well attended. Some of that is because of traffic/work etc getting in the way and some of it is because lower league teams don't have regular field access, leaving hosting to MLS teams whose fans don't have Open Cup games as part of their season ticket packages and don't really care much about the competition.

If you're a fan of the Open Cup AND of DIII soccer, though, here's a chance to support the tournament AND support DIII soccer in the process! They just announced the first round games and three of them are at DIII fields. Each gives you an opportunity to see an amateur side take on a professional side on the campus of a DIII school.

https://www.ussoccer.com/us-open-cup/schedule

Wednesday, March 20 at 7 pm (Central) Chicago House AC v. Minnesota United FC 2 at Elmhurst University Langhorst Field, Elmhurst, IL

Thursday, March 21 at 7:30 pm (Eastern) Motown v. NYCFC II at Montclair State Pittston Field

Thursday, March 21st at 7:30 pm (Eastern) Vereinigung Erzgebirge vs. Charlotte Independence at Cairn University; Langhorne, PA

Appreciate this post- addition I would add is Hudson Valley Hammers are also playing at Montclair vs Red Bulls II March 20th @7:30

Another Mom · March 04, 2024, 01:46:40 PM

What (who) are the Hudson Valley Hammers??? I guess I will go Google, but I live in the Hudson Valley and I've never heard of them.

jknezek · March 04, 2024, 02:18:04 PM

Quote from: Another Mom on March 04, 2024, 01:46:40 PMWhat (who) are the Hudson Valley Hammers??? I guess I will go Google, but I live in the Hudson Valley and I've never heard of them.

USL2 team, the old PDL if you are more familiar with that name. I believe they like the term "pre-professional." Mostly MLS and USL lower tier sponsored teams, absolutely amateur, and non USASA sanctioned. It's a late spring/summer league.

Another Mom · March 04, 2024, 03:06:33 PM

My son played on a USL2 team for 2 summers, so I'm certainly aware of the league -- they are even in my county and I STILL hadn't heard of them!

Newenglander · March 04, 2024, 03:52:48 PM

Finished second in the Metropolitan Division and made it to the Conference Semifinals......

jknezek · March 05, 2024, 09:35:38 AM

Quote from: Another Mom on March 04, 2024, 03:06:33 PMMy son played on a USL2 team for 2 summers, so I'm certainly aware of the league -- they are even in my county and I STILL hadn't heard of them!

I feel like a lot of these teams come and go from this level every year. No idea of their history in the league, maybe they've been around for a while. But I used to follow a few similar teams in NJ by where I grew up and they've all evolved to other leagues or folded or moved or renamed or who knows what. Minor league soccer in the U.S. is so unstable, especially the way MLS keeps pulling the rug out from the lower tiers and changing the system all the time.

Newenglander · March 05, 2024, 10:48:55 AM

There is a lot of for sure:

NPSL....UPSL....USL2....USASA.....all "amateur" leagues - EDP U23 is in play as well.

Kuiper · March 05, 2024, 01:04:22 PM

Quote from: jknezek on March 05, 2024, 09:35:38 AM
Quote from: Another Mom on March 04, 2024, 03:06:33 PMMy son played on a USL2 team for 2 summers, so I'm certainly aware of the league -- they are even in my county and I STILL hadn't heard of them!

I feel like a lot of these teams come and go from this level every year. No idea of their history in the league, maybe they've been around for a while. But I used to follow a few similar teams in NJ by where I grew up and they've all evolved to other leagues or folded or moved or renamed or who knows what. Minor league soccer in the U.S. is so unstable, especially the way MLS keeps pulling the rug out from the lower tiers and changing the system all the time.

With all of these teams, the players come and go frequently. In fact, USL2 is designed for college players during the summer to play central roles, but UPSL has similar qualities because it is an adult league with usually no paid coaches etc, so they need to have a structure that keeps them alive in the offseason. The team that qualifies is often different than the team that plays in the Open Cup too.

Incidentally, to tie this more into D3, quite a few D3 players play in one of these teams over the summer. This is about the time teams start holding tryouts, but coaches can help place kids too. I've often thought it was a sign of a good D3 program when coaches offered that help. Something to ask about if you are in the recruiting stage.