2020 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup: A Record-Breaking Edition Canceled by Pandemic
The 2020 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was intended to be the 107th edition of the premier knockout cup competition in American soccer. Designed to be one of the most inclusive tournaments in its history, the event aimed to bring together professional and amateur clubs from across the United States in a high-stakes quest for the national championship.
Entering the season, Atlanta United FC held the title of defending champion after their victory over Minnesota United FC in the 2019 final. However, the tournament's trajectory was permanently altered by the global health crisis. On March 13, 2020, U.S. Soccer announced a temporary suspension of the competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By August 17, 2020, the tournament was officially canceled.
Despite the lack of matches, the stakes remained high for the defending champions. Atlanta United FC was still awarded the spot for the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League, ensuring that the prestige of the previous year's victory was maintained.
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Key Facts
- Total Teams: 100 teams were planned to participate, a modern-era record.
- Professional Presence: 62 professional sides were scheduled to enter, also a modern-era record.
- Suspension Date: March 13, 2020.
- Cancellation Date: August 17, 2020.
- Defending Champion: Atlanta United FC.
- Geographic Reach: Teams represented 36 states and the District of Columbia.
Qualification and Tournament Structure
The 2020 edition featured a diverse array of entrants from the American soccer league system. The field included 23 clubs from Major League Soccer (MLS), as well as teams from the USL Championship and USL League One (excluding those owned or operated by MLS teams). Notably, the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), a sanctioned Division III league, was also set to compete, marking the first time since 2017 that two professional leagues from the same tier participated.
Amateur and Local Qualification
Amateur representation was secured through several pathways. Teams from USL League Two and the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) qualified based on previous season standings. Additionally, 12 teams emerged from local qualifying tournaments held in 2019, which featured 88 amateur teams from 21 different state soccer associations. The reigning National Amateur Cup champion, Newtown Pride FC, received an automatic qualification.
Revised Entry Format
U.S. Soccer implemented a restructured format to encourage more "David vs. Goliath" matchups—games where small amateur clubs face off against professional giants. The entry phases were organized as follows:
- First Round: Local qualifiers, NPSL, and USL League Two teams.
- Second Round: Winners from the first round joined by Division II and Division III professional teams.
- Third Round: Winners from the second round joined by the 11 lower-ranked MLS teams.
- Round of 32: Winners from the third round joined by the 12 higher-ranked MLS teams.
Scheduling Conflicts and Withdrawals
The tournament was scheduled to begin in March 2020, the earliest start date since 1995. This aggressive calendar created a conflict with the NCAA soccer season, making it difficult for lower-division teams to field their full rosters. As a result, three teams—Reading United AC, Flint City Bucks (both USL League Two), and Midland-Odessa Sockers FC (NPSL)—announced they would not participate.
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Tournament Summary
The following table provides an overview of the planned 2020 tournament details.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Planned Teams | 100 |
| Professional Teams | 62 |
| Defending Champion | Atlanta United FC |
| States Represented | 36 + District of Columbia |
| Status | Canceled (COVID-19) |
| CONCACAF Spot Awarded To | Atlanta United FC |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the 2020 U.S. Open Cup canceled?
The tournament was initially suspended on March 13, 2020, and later officially canceled on August 17, 2020, due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the suspension of various soccer leagues including MLS and USL.
How many teams were supposed to compete?
The 2020 edition was planned to feature 100 teams, including 62 professional sides, both of which were modern-era records for the competition.
Who benefited from the tournament's cancellation?
While no matches were played, the defending champion, Atlanta United FC, still received the qualification spot for the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League.
Which leagues were represented in the 2020 field?
The field included teams from Major League Soccer (MLS), USL Championship, USL League One, National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), USL League Two, and the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), along with local amateur qualifiers.
Why did some teams withdraw before the pandemic?
Reading United AC, Flint City Bucks, and Midland-Odessa Sockers FC withdrew because the early March start date overlapped with the NCAA soccer season, preventing them from using their full lineups.