As we reported here on July 8th of this year, the US Open Cup Committee has expanded the Open Divisions of US Soccer by giving 32 bids for entrance to the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Half will go to automatic bids to clubs in the leagues representing USL League 2, NPSL, UPSL Spring Season Champion, USASA Tournament Champion, and the brand new John Motta Cup.
The other half will be fought for by multiple amateur clubs going through four difficult rounds of qualifying within their respective regions of US Soccer. Including some teams from the NPSL, UPSL, and the new The League For Clubs. Some of these spots have already been filled. Let’s take a look.
John Motta Cup
When the press release was given, NPSL’s Golden Gate Conference and West Region Winner El Farolito was automatically given one of the 16 bids as the only club to survive the longest in the 2025 US Open Cup, as they fell in the third round proper to USL Championship side Sacramento Republic. They won the $50,000 prize money and have already entered the 2026 Open Cup.
US Adult Soccer Association Winner
West Chester United, failing to advance in the USL League 2 playoffs and the NPSL Playoffs, took their third at bat and never struck out as they defeated Sin City FC in the Semi-Finals, then defeated a very tough RWB Adria side from Chicago in Extra time. Head Coach and owner, Blaise Santangelo, continues to believe his side was going to finally break through, and did so in this cup competition
Hickory FC and Three More Bids
After reaching the NPSL Championship Final and knocking off a perfect season for El Farolito, they defeated the Burrito Boys at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco by a final score of three goals to two. They are now the third NPSL Side and one of the current four bids to head into the US Open Cup. This will be their first US Open Cup tournament in their short lived two season history under head coach Carlos Rubin
Vermont Green with Envy
After making their debut in the 2024 US Open Cup as a selected side, the Vermont Green won the 2025 USL League 2 Championship over Ballard FC from the Seattle area. A sold out Virtue Field in Burlington, Vermont, had everyone going crazy, and many brought their step ladders to view the game from behind the fences. They have now secured the first of nine spots designated for USL League 2.
Four Amateur Sides Announcing Qualification Acceptance
Before the full list is produced by US Soccer, four clubs in the Amateur and Open Division have already announced their participation in Amateur qualifying. BOHFS St. Louis (MO) of the Midwest Premier League, Club de Lyon (FL) of NPSL, Dallas Atletico (TX) of the Metroplex Premier League, and FC Monmouth (NJ) of The League for Clubs.
Very soon, half of the automatic bids will be filled as the UPSL Spring Season Champion will be crowned on Sunday, August 10th. It will also be very exciting when the full list of participants attempts qualification for four rounds to reach the first round draw in the 2026 US Open Cup. The excitement is palpable.
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