MLS Teams Gear Up for North American Cup Competitions in 2025

In a landmark announcement, Major League Soccer (MLS) has confirmed that all 30 clubs will participate in various North American cup competitions in 2025. This includes the prestigious Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup, and the Canadian Championship, providing teams with ample opportunities to compete for silverware outside of the regular MLS season.

Key Takeaways

• All 30 MLS teams will compete in North American cup competitions in 2025.
• The 2025 U.S. Open Cup will feature 16 MLS teams and 10 MLS NEXT Pro teams.
• MLS clubs will also participate in the Concacaf Champions Cup and Leagues Cup.

Overview of Competitions

The 2025 season will see MLS clubs engaging in four major tournaments:

1. Concacaf Champions Cup: 10 MLS clubs will compete, with the tournament running from February 4 to June 1.
2. Leagues Cup: 18 MLS teams will face off against 18 Liga MX teams from July 29 to August 31.
3. Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup: 16 MLS teams will enter in the Round of 32, with 10 MLS NEXT Pro teams starting in the First Round.
4. Canadian Championship: All three Canadian-based MLS clubs will participate.

U.S. Open Cup Participation

The U.S. Open Cup will see an increase in MLS participation, doubling from 8 to 16 teams. The qualification criteria are as follows:

• Only U.S.-based clubs are eligible.
• MLS teams not competing in the Leagues Cup or Concacaf Champions Cup automatically qualify.
• The remaining teams are determined by Supporters’ Shield standings.

The 16 MLS teams participating in the 2025 U.S. Open Cup include:

• Austin FC
• Charlotte FC
• Chicago Fire FC
• D.C. United
• FC Dallas
• Houston Dynamo FC
• Minnesota United FC
• Nashville SC
• New England Revolution
• New York City FC
• New York Red Bulls
• Orlando City SC
• Philadelphia Union
• Portland Timbers
• San Jose Earthquakes
• St. Louis CITY SC

MLS NEXT Pro Teams

In addition to the MLS teams, 10 MLS NEXT Pro teams will also compete in the U.S. Open Cup:

• Eastern Conference:
• Western Conference:

Conclusion

The 2025 season promises to be an exciting one for MLS teams as they prepare to compete in multiple prestigious tournaments. This expanded participation not only enhances the competitive landscape but also provides fans with thrilling matchups throughout the season. With the FIFA Club World Cup and FIFA World Cup on the horizon, the stakes are higher than ever for MLS clubs as they aim for glory on both domestic and international stages.

Sources

• 2025 US Open Cup: Which MLS teams are competing? | MLSSoccer.com, MLSsoccer.com.
• All 30 Major League Soccer Clubs to Participate in North American Cup Competitions in 2025 | MLSSoccer.com, MLSsoccer.com.
• Nashville Soccer Club to Compete in 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup | Nashville SC, Nashville SC.
• North American cups: Where MLS teams will compete in 2025, qualification criteria | MLSSoccer.com, MLSsoccer.com.
• Leagues Cup 2025: Which MLS teams are competing? | MLSSoccer.com, MLSsoccer.com.