After waiting through the cancelation of the 2020 U.S. Open Cup, local amateur clubs were met with even more devastating news about the 2021 competition this week with the announcement that the field will be narrowed from 101 teams to just 24.
That means clubs like Vereinigung Erzgebirge, which qualified for the first time since 2002 way back in November 2019, first-time qualifier Atlantic City FC and West Chester United are likely to be waiting yet another year to participate in the oldest competition in U.S. soccer.
Out of 36 amateur teams that qualified through local qualifying rounds like VE did in 2019 or through performance in the NPSL during the 2019 season like Atlantic City and West Chester, just four will be represented in the field.