U.S. Soccer announced the schedule and format for the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Friday. Defending champion Sporting Kansas City will enter this year’s tournament with 16 other MLS clubs in the fourth round, set for June 15.
Sporting Kansas City lifted the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup after a road victory over the Philadelphia Union on Sept. 30 at PPL Park. The sides battled to a 1-1 draw through regulation before Sporting KC prevailed 7-6 in an eight-round penalty shootout to secure its third Open Cup title.
Per U.S. Soccer policy, MLS-owned USL teams are ineligible to participate in the 2016 U.