>
A Guide to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
What is the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup?
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the United States.
The tournament is open to all amateur and professional soccer teams in the United States.
The winner of the tournament earns a berth in the following year's CONCACAF Champions League.
History of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
The tournament was founded in 1914 as the National Challenge Cup.
In 1999, the tournament was renamed in honor of Lamar Hunt, who was a founder of the North American Soccer League and Major League Soccer.
The most successful team in the tournament's history is the Seattle Sounders, who have won the tournament 4 times.
Format of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
The tournament is a single-elimination tournament.
The tournament is played over several rounds, with the early rounds being played at the amateur level.
The later rounds of the tournament are played at the professional level.
Qualification for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
All professional soccer teams in the United States are eligible to participate in the tournament.
Amateur teams can also qualify for the tournament by winning their state cup competition.
The tournament is open to both men's and women's teams.
Prizes for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
The winner of the tournament receives the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophy.
The winner also earns a berth in the following year's CONCACAF Champions League.
The runner-up in the tournament receives a berth in the following year's CONCACAF League.
Notable Winners of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Some of the most notable winners of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup include:
- Seattle Sounders FC (4 titles)
- Sporting Kansas City (4 titles)
- New York Cosmos (3 titles)
- New England Revolution (2 titles)
- Houston Dynamo FC (2 titles)