The 2020 U.S. Open Cup is reportedly cancelled due to COVID-19’s impact in the United States this year.
After being suspended in early March, as well as the early stages of the MLS regular season, U.S. Soccer has cancelled the annual tournament, Sports Illustrated reported Friday. This season’s edition would’ve been the 107th edition after debuting in 1913.
U.S. Soccer is intending to invite each club that qualified for this year’s event, according to the report. An official announcement is expected to be made early next week with plans having to be pushed until 2021 for the 107th edition.
COVID-19 has forced halts in several leagues this season that normally would see its teams take part in the competition. USL League Two and the NPSL cancelled their seasons earlier this year due to COVID-19, while MLS, the USL Championship, USL League One, and the NISA are aiming to continue regular season play.
With plenty of teams traveling for matches in the Open Cup, it would put all of them at risk with the pandemic continuing to be at greater risk in certain parts of the country. Normally the winner of the Open Cup is guaranteed a spot in the next season’s Concacaf Champions League, but there also has been no decision regarding that yet.
Atlanta United lifted the 2019 edition of the U.S. Open Cup for the first time in club history, defeating Minnesota United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.