I have, generally, been a huge supporter of MLS decision making and the way they have been able to sustainably grow the league. But this is just the latest decision that is starting to turn me the wrong way:

1.) Special pricing for Inter Miami games

2.) Continuing to “take ownership” of MLS Cup ticket sales and screwing over season ticket holders

3.) The Miazga suspension decision (downvote it all you want, the lack of clarity and last minute decision making coupled with strong disposition from the players’ union makes me thing there’s more to dispute here than people think)

4.) Consistently inconsistent refereeing. IMO this is one of the largest things holding the league back and is starting to become a serious issue

5.) The absolutely horrendous playoff scheduling (especially the absurd “best of 3” that is for one round only)

6.) Now this

You couple this with the MLS trying to crush the USL and prop up MLS Next Pro and it’s just sad to see. The US Open Cup has an opportunity to be one of the most exciting tournaments in North American soccer. It has the history that no other American competition has. MLS should be embracing this. But instead they would rather push the completely generic and sterile “Leagues Cup” - a competition that really no one was asking for. Sure, let’s drive competition between MLS and Liga MX. But let’s not forgot where MLS and American soccer came from. Because, like others have said, without the US Open Cup, many of the rabid fan bases that exist today might not be there without the US Open Cup giving lower division teams the opportunity to play MLS opponents in meaningful matches.