2021 U.S. Open Cup

2021 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Tournament details
CountryUnited States
Teams102
Final positions
ChampionsCanceled
← 2020
2022 →

The 2021 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was planned to be the 107th edition of the U.S. Open Cup, a knockout cup competition in American soccer. After the 2020 competition was suspended and ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States Soccer Federation announced that qualification for the 2021 Open Cup would be canceled and all 100 teams that had qualified for that competition would be invited back.[1] On February 8, 2021, the U.S. Soccer Federation backtracked and stated that only 24 teams would be allowed to participate in a new abbreviated tournament, with the exact qualification details still being determined.[2]

On March 29, U.S. Soccer announced the tournament would be downsized to 16 teams who would play four rounds. The opening round was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while the Open Cup Committee convened to decide whether the competition could proceed. This version of the tournament was to feature eight Major League Soccer teams, four USL Championship teams, one National Independent Soccer Association team, one USL League One team, and two teams from the Open Division determined by a random draw.[3]

On April 16, U.S. Soccer announced that the tournament would not be held in the spring due to a combination of financial and logistical issues, and that they were evaluating holding the tournament later in the year.[4]

On July 20, U.S. Soccer finally announced that the tournament would be canceled for 2021 and would resume in 2022.[5]

Atlanta United FC won the previous tournament after defeating Minnesota United FC in the 2019 final.

  1. ^ "2020 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Cancelled Due to COVID-19" (Press release). United States Soccer Federation. August 17, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  2. ^ "U.S. Soccer's Plans for an Abbreviated 2021 U.S. Open Cup". Sports Illustrated. February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  3. ^ "Open Cup Committee Decides Not to Play Opening Round of U.S. Open Cup Due to Challenges Surrounding Covid Pandemic; Teams Will Enter Tournament at Round of 16" (Press release). United States Soccer Association. March 29, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  4. ^ "Open Cup Committee Determines 2021 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Will Not Be Held This Spring". ussoccer.com. April 16, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  5. ^ "SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED FOR NEXT EDITION OF LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP IN 2022". ussoccer.com. July 20, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021.