2018 U.S. Open Cup

Lore & Background

The 97 entrants included the 20 American clubs from Major League Soccer and 22 non-affiliated American clubs in the United Soccer League. The qualification tournament, held in 2017, determined the 13 teams from local amateur leagues. The 20 entrants from the Premier Development League and 19 of the 22 from the National Premier Soccer League were determined based on results achieved in those leagues in 2017. Cash prizes and travel reimbursement costs were also increased for the 2018 edition. Sporting Kansas City was the defending champion but were not able to successfully defend the title, losing in the quarterfinals to Houston Dynamo. The 2018 tournament initially excluded clubs from the North American Soccer League, which suspended operations for the year, but a decision by the Open Cup Committee in March 2018 allowed for the entry of NPSL teams Jacksonville Armada FC, Miami FC 2, and New York Cosmos B as part of an added play-in round, which brought the total number of NPSL teams participating in the tournament to 22.

In Their Own Story

The humidity hung heavy over PPL Park as the final whistle approached, but inside the Galaxy dressing room, the mood was already shifting toward celebration. Juan Pablo Riquelme sat quietly, his jersey stained with grass and sweat, reflecting on the two goals that had just secured the club's sixth Open Cup. The roar of the traveling fans echoed through the stadium, a testament to a season where every doubt about the team's depth had been silenced by pure dominance.

Reader's Guide

The tournament featured a play-in round, first round, second round, third round, fourth round, round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and final. Draws were announced on various dates: play-in round and first round on April 4, second round on April 11, third round on May 14, fourth round on May 24, round of 16 and quarterfinals on June 7, semifinals on July 23. All match times were local to the game site. Cash prizes included $25,000 for advancing furthest from respective divisions, $100,000 for runner-up, and $300,000 for winning the competition.

Did You Know?

• The 2018 tournament was the 103rd edition of the U.S. Open Cup.
• 97 teams from leagues in the U.S. system contested the 2018 U.S. Open Cup.
• Sporting Kansas City was the defending champion but lost in the quarterfinals to Houston Dynamo.
• The 2018 tournament initially excluded NASL clubs but later added three NPSL teams in a play-in round.
• The Houston Dynamo won the 2018 U.S. Open Cup, defeating the Philadelphia Union 3-0 in the final.