This year’s US Open Cup competition will look quite different from tournaments in years past.

Usually, every MLS team would compete in the oldest club competition in the United States. But MLS has opted to go down a different route, with some clubs taking part in some fashion with their first or second teams, while others aren’t featuring in any capacity.

The decision for some MLS teams to play in the Open Cup could be pointed at fixture congestion as several teams are already competing in Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup, and of course, MLS, along with Open Cup action.

Just eight MLS teams will compete in the Open Cup, with 11 MLS Next Pro affiliate sides competing in place of their respective first teams.

The American-based teams like Inter Miami, Orlando City, FC Cincinnati, Columbus Crew, New England Revolution, Nashville SC, Philadelphia Union, and St Louis CITY will not compete in the Open Cup due to their participation in Champions Cup. The lone team that will compete in both is Houston Dynamo, who lifted the 2023 Open Cup over Inter Miami in September.

However, there are three teams sitting out of Open Cup action that aren’t playing in the Champions Cup: DC United, Toronto FC and CF Montreal, with the Canadian clubs competing in the Canadian Championship.