US Soccer Makes Changes for Open Cup Qualifying

Positive changes for the Amateurs and Open Division Clubs to enter the First Round Proper.

As we continue our journey into the 2025 Edition of the US Open Cup, soon we will begin the qualification stages for this coming fall for the 2026 edition. Many amateur sides that want to attempt to reach the holy land, which is the first round proper.

But this time around, there will be more spots available for the Amateur qualifiers and some changes toward the Open Division leagues. Some of the positives that will also reward the club in the recent Open Cup edition that will honoring a man who has dedicated his life to the game at that level.

I have written about the details of these changes on Bad Dawg Sports, but what makes me happy is the adjustments of expanding the amateur qualifying spots from fourteen to sixteen. Amateur sides who wish to enter the qualifying tournament have until August 4th to register.

For the Open Division Leagues, continuing their automatic bids are the Spring Champions of the United Premier Soccer League and the Champions of the USASA National Amateur Cup. A new edition and a change for the clubs in the USL League 2 and National Premier Soccer League.

First, for the Open Division Leagues with USL 2 and the NPSL, there will be thirteen bids open for both of them. Instead of going the old ways, like the National League qualifying track for both leagues, that change is now removing it, and the Open Cup Committee will allocate byes. Those sides that won't get those byes will be allowed to join the Open Cup Qualification.

The big addition now honors a club that was in this current edition, and is being rewarded for going the furthest. That club is El Farolito, which won the $50,000 prize. The Trophy they will now receive is the John Motta Trophy.

That means El Farolito will automatically qualify for the 2026 Edition even though they are currently in First Place and undefeated in the Golden Gate Conference of the NPSL 2025 Season. Even if they made a run in the playoffs, they would still have their spot secured through this new mechanism.

For John Motta, this trophy, named after him, honors his dedication and determination for his hard work to allow amateurs to be involved with the game and to show that we are all involved with the American Soccer ecosystem, or, for me, the American Soccer Community.

So altogether, 32 bids in the Open Division Leagues and Amateur Qualifiers will have a chance to battle for the opportunity to reach the first round proper of the 2026 edition. These slots are becoming harder to earn and qualify for; that's why we love the US Open Cup.