How to Fix the US Open Cup

Ok here's my problem with the US Open Cup.  The tournament’s practice of letting clubs sell awarded home games.  It’s just another missed opportunity to grow the game in the USA.  

From TheCup.us  5/8/12

“…Prior to this year, home teams were determined by a sealed bidding process where each club submitted financial bids to the USSF and if the venue standards were met, the team with the highest bid were awarded the game. (Read a detailed report of the process HERE)

In 2012, a new system has been put in place where, in the first two rounds, if both teams meet the minimum venue standards, then a blind draw will determine who will host the match. The only consistency throughout the competition is the host team must pay the federation 15% of the gross gate receipts above $100,000. In Round 3, when Major League Soccer teams join the tournament, the same procedure will be followed, except that the host will also pay a flat hosting fee of $12,000 in advance of the match in addition to the potential 15% if they reach the $100k mark.

In Round 4, the hosting fee increases to $18,000 and then to $25,000 for the Quarterfinals.

The Semifinals and the Final will continue to utilize the sealed bid process from previous years…”

Look at the two cities that sold off home games Minnesota & Atlanta along with a third, Orlando that lost in the “draw” process to Sporting Kansas City.  Hmmm, what do all three of these cities have in common?  They all reportedly are interested in MLS franchises.  Yet all three will not have the opportunity to introduce their fans to live MLS caliber action.

I understand the small grounds argument and agree that standards must be met.  I also understand how FA type Cups work around the world.  In the earlier rounds when the big clubs enter the tournament much of the excitement is around the “minnows” knocking off one of the giants.  This is similar to the thrill during March Madness of the early round upsets and the proverbial 16^th seed knocking off a 1^st seed that we are all waiting to see.    It’s for this reason that I believe all of the third round games (the first round the sixteen MLS clubs join the tournament in its revised format) should be played at the lower seeded club.  


I understand many have substandard facilities and the argument more money could be made at the MLS stadiums but here’s why I wouldn’t allow it:

These teams know the possibility of an MLS side coming in exists.  Before the winner is determined look into securing an adequate facility.  Whether that’s renting out a local college stadium or even moving the game a town or two away.  It would create huge MLS buzz in currently underserved markets.  Promote the hell out of the game.  Give them two weeks to sell tickets not one like its currently is set up.  The excitement in these minor league cities to see an MLS side could be so much greater than the boredom the MLS fans seem to approach the early rounds of the USOC with as minor league teams come in to try and knock them off.  Stadiums half or less filled than normal.  Even Seattle moves it’s games from CenturyLink to the much smaller Starfire Complex.

If you have all the third round in non MLS cities your growing the game in markets outside of the MLS footprint. This is where it’s most vital for the next growth of the game in the U.S. to occur.  Currently MLS attendance is doing just fine in most cities.  Where the next growth has to come in is in TV viewers.  The USOC is an incredible marketing opportunity to reach out into underserved markets and grow excitement for the sport and MLS teams but it isn’t utilized to its fullest.  Just seems like a huge wasted opportunity.