March 1, 2024 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) – LA Galaxy II News Release
LOS ANGELES – U.S. Soccer and Major League Soccer today announced that LA Galaxy II, the LA Galaxy’s MLS NEXT Pro affiliate, will compete in the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The conversations focused on increasing the overall investment in the Open Cup, providing young players with important developmental opportunities, reducing schedule congestion for MLS clubs and addressing load management concerns to aid player health and safety.
MLS and U.S. Soccer have reached an agreement that will see eight MLS clubs and 11 MLS NEXT Pro teams in the Open Cup this year.
MLS Clubs – The eight MLS clubs will include the Houston Dynamo (last year’s Open Cup Champion) and the top seven ranked U.S.-based teams (Atlanta United, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo FC, Sporting Kansas City, LAFC, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders FC) according to the 2023 MLS Supporters’ Shield standings, other than clubs playing in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup.
MLS NEXT Pro Clubs – The 11 MLS NEXT Pro teams will include nine MLS affiliates (Austin FC II, Chicago Fire FC II, Colorado Rapids 2, Crown Legacy Football Club, MNUFC2, New York Red Bulls II, LA Galaxy II, NYCFC II, Timbers 2) and two independent clubs (Carolina Core FC, Chattanooga FC). The nine MLS-affiliated teams competing will be based on the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro final standings, other than those clubs whose MLS first teams are participating in either the 2024 U.S. Open Cup or 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup.
MLS teams will only play lower division opponents until it cannot be avoided, enhancing the tournament’s drama and appeal.
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