Miguel Almirón Returns to Atlanta United: A Homecoming Celebration 
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 prestigious tournaments such as the Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup, Lamar Hunt U.S. Open 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 at least one of the four major North American cup competitions in 2025.
- The qualification criteria for these tournaments have been established to reward club performance and manage player workload.
- Notable tournaments include the Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup, and the U.S. Open Cup, with expanded participation from MLS NEXT Pro teams.
Overview of Competitions
The 2025 season will see MLS clubs engaging in four major tournaments:
- Concacaf Champions Cup: 10 MLS clubs will compete, starting on February 4 and concluding on June 1. The reigning MLS Cup champion and Leagues Cup champion will enter in the Round of 16.
- Leagues Cup: This tournament will feature 18 MLS teams facing off against 18 Liga MX teams from July 29 to August 31.
- Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup: The number of MLS teams participating has increased from 8 to 16, with 10 MLS NEXT Pro teams also joining the fray. The MLS teams will enter in the Round of 32.
- Canadian Championship: All three Canadian-based MLS clubs will compete in this tournament, which runs from April through October.
Qualification Criteria
The qualification for each tournament is based on the following:
- Concacaf Champions Cup: Criteria set by Concacaf.
- Leagues Cup: The top nine teams from each MLS conference qualify based on their performance in the previous season.
- Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup: 16 MLS teams will participate, determined by Supporters’ Shield standings and other criteria.
- Canadian Championship: All Canadian MLS clubs are eligible.
Participating MLS Teams
The following MLS teams will participate in the 2025 tournaments:
| Eastern Conference Teams | Competitions |
|---|---|
| Atlanta United FC | Leagues Cup |
| Charlotte FC | Leagues Cup, U.S. Open Cup |
| Chicago Fire FC | U.S. Open Cup |
| FC Cincinnati | Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup |
| Columbus Crew | Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup |
| D.C. United | U.S. Open Cup |
| Inter Miami CF | Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup |
| CF Montréal | Leagues Cup, Canadian Championship |
| New York City FC | Leagues Cup, U.S. Open Cup |
| New York Red Bulls | Leagues Cup, U.S. Open Cup |
| Nashville SC | U.S. Open Cup |
| New England Revolution | U.S. Open Cup |
| Orlando City SC | Leagues Cup, U.S. Open Cup |
| Philadelphia Union | U.S. Open Cup |
| Toronto FC | Canadian Championship |
| Western Conference Teams | Competitions |
|---|---|
| Austin FC | U.S. Open Cup |
| Colorado Rapids | Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup |
| FC Dallas | U.S. Open Cup |
| Houston Dynamo FC | Leagues Cup, U.S. Open Cup |
| LA Galaxy | Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup |
| LAFC | Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup |
| Minnesota United FC | Leagues Cup, U.S. Open Cup |
| Portland Timbers | Leagues Cup, U.S. Open Cup |
| Real Salt Lake | Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup |
| San Jose Earthquakes | U.S. Open Cup |
| San Diego FC | Leagues Cup |
| Seattle Sounders FC | Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup |
| Sporting Kansas City | Concacaf Champions Cup |
| St. Louis CITY SC | U.S. Open Cup |
| Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Concacaf Champions Cup, Canadian Championship |
Conclusion
The 2025 season promises to be an exciting one for MLS teams as they compete across multiple tournaments, showcasing their talent and striving for glory in North America. With a structured qualification process in place, clubs will have the chance to shine on both domestic and international stages, setting the stage for a thrilling soccer year ahead.
Sources
- 2025 US Open Cup: Which MLS teams are competing? | MLSSoccer.com, MLSsoccer.com.
- Houston Dynamo participating in U.S. Open Cup and Leagues Cup, Houston Chronicle.
- All 30 Major League Soccer Clubs to Participate in North American Cup Competitions in 2025 | MLSSoccer.com, MLSsoccer.com.
- North American cups: Where MLS teams will compete in 2025, qualification criteria | MLSSoccer.com, MLSsoccer.com.
- Real Salt Lake to Participate in Trio of 2025 North American Cup Competitions | Real Salt Lake, Real Salt Lake.
