North America’s longest running open soccer tournament has been dwindled down from 99 teams to 32 as the fourth round match-ups are set and will begin next week.
What’s at stake? Just $250,000 in prize money for the winner, the coveted Dewar Cup trophy, and, most importantly, automatic qualification for the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League to compete amongst the top clubs in North America. The obvious benefits of adding to the trophy cabinet and reserving a spot in North America’s elite soccer tournament are significant for any club. The $250,000 purse is not too shabby, either. However, the $250,000 is not the only financial benefit of winning the Open Cup. The ripple effect of winning the Cup is invaluable; and clubs are taking the competition very seriously.
MLS clubs that win the U.S. Open Cup receive additional allocation money, which is essentially extra money to be spent on the team’s roster. Qualification into CONCACAF Champions League means the winning team will have more games and, therefore, must add depth to their roster. Extra allocation money increases the winning club’s purchasing power; giving them more flexibility to strengthen their squad. In a League where the competition is so tight, and no team has a significant financial edge, this extra allocation sum is significant.
CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) is the governing body for soccer in the region and oversees the continent’s most competitive tournament – the Champions League.
For Orlando City, or any U.S. based professional soccer team, a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League is an avenue to dramatically increase the club’s global reach. Qualifying for the Champions League means matches in Mexico, Central America, and other soccer-obsessed regions of the continent. Playing in high-profile matches abroad give clubs the ability to market their brand from a much wider perspective and, in the process, expand the club’s fan base.
Oh, yeah, qualifying for CONCACAF Champions League also means more unforgettable home games at Orlando City Stadium; and that makes everyone happy.
After last night’s eventful draw against Chicago, Orlando City now have a ten-day break in their hectic schedule to recover and prepare for a busy period of fixtures as the half-way point of the season quickly approaches. Next up: the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Orlando City take on NASL opponent Miami FC on June 14th at The Fortress with a spot in the Round of 16 on the line. A hungry Lions team will be looking to take one step closer to glory and reap the benefits of hoisting the Dewar Cup trophy.
For additional information about the history, format, and fixtures of the U.S. Open Cup, click here.
