The previously scaled back and then delayed U.S. Open Cup has been canceled for 2021, U.S. Soccer announced on Tuesday. After 106 straight years of holding the event — which made it the second-longest streak in world soccer — this is the second straight year that the Covid-19 pandemic has forced the tournament’s cancellation. U.S. Soccer has vowed to bring it back next year with a revamped format and its biggest-ever field of participating teams.
Among the changes:
- A revised format that will see approximately half of the 25 eligible MLS teams enter in the Third Round, one round earlier than in previous years.