Five MLS-owned USL clubs participated in the 2015 U.S. Open Cup, but that won't be the case in 2016.
U.S. Soccer formerly announced new rules involving team eligibility, ensuring that all professional organizations involved in the Open Cup are only allowed to include their highest-level team in the tournament.
The revised policy now states that "any Outdoor Professional League Team that is majority owned by a higher-level Outdoor Professional League Team or any team that is (1) majority owned by an Outdoor Professional League Team, (2) registered with any Open Division League, and (3) registered as a professional team, will not be able to take part in the Open Cup."
As a result of the updated policy, Open Cup commissioner Paul Marstaller has made the following teams ineligible as their parent clubs will be participating: LA Galaxy II, New York Red Bulls II, Orlando City B, Bethlehem Steel (Philadelphia Union’s USL Affiliate), Portland Timbers 2, Real Monarchs SLC (Real Salt Lake), Seattle Sounders 2, Swope Park Rangers KC (Sporting KC).
