2016 U.S. Open Cup

2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Tournament details
CountryUnited States
Teams91
Final positions
ChampionsFC Dallas
(2nd title)
Runner-upNew England Revolution
2018 CONCACAF Champions LeagueFC Dallas
Tournament statistics
Matches played90
Goals scored254 (2.82 per match)
Top goal scorer(s)David Accam
Edwin Borboa
(5 goals each)
← 2015
2017 →

The 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was the 103rd edition of the oldest ongoing competition in American soccer.

On September 8, 2015 the United States Soccer Federation decided to prevent professional teams that were "majority owned by a higher-level Outdoor Professional League Team" from taking part in the competition.[1] This rule prevented several United Soccer League teams (Bethlehem Steel FC, LA Galaxy II, New York Red Bulls II, Orlando City B, Portland Timbers 2, Real Monarchs, Seattle Sounders FC 2 and Swope Park Rangers) from competing.[2] New York Cosmos Chief Operating Officer Erik Stover stated that eligible New York Cosmos B would not enter as "the integrity of the tournament is more important".[3][4] The Houston Dynamo staffed, but not owned, Rio Grande Valley FC Toros were also ruled ineligible by USSF at the request of the Dynamo.[5] This class of teams wouldn't take part in the U.S. Open Cup again until 2019, when South Georgia Tormenta FC and their USL League Two reserve team both participated in the competition.

Major League Soccer (MLS) teams New York Red Bulls, Portland Timbers, and Seattle Sounders FC each entered their under-23 amateur sides. US Soccer announced that these MLS sides could not play their affiliated sides before the Open Cup Final. The same rule holds for the NASL's Indy Eleven and their amateur side Indy Eleven NPSL.

The cash prize amounts were the same as those in 2015, with the champion receiving $250,000 and the runner-up $60,000. Also, the team from each lower division that advanced the furthest received $15,000.[6] The champion of the tournament also received a berth in the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League.[7]

  1. ^ "Policy Amendments" (PDF). USsoccer.com. October 29, 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  2. ^ "U.S. Open Cup dismisses MLS-owned USL clubs from 2016 tournament". NBC Sports. November 5, 2015. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  3. ^ "Erik Stover on Twitter". Twitter.
  4. ^ "Erik Stover on Twitter". Twitter.
  5. ^ "U.S. Open Cup Committee Adds New Adjustment To Policy Regarding Team Eligibility". USsoccer.com. March 29, 2016.
  6. ^ "2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Open Division Handbook" (PDF). ussoccer.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 6, 2016. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  7. ^ "Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Reveals Format and Schedule for 2016 Competition".