The 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was the 107th edition of the U.S. Open Cup, a knockout cup competition in American soccer. After the 2020 and 2021 competitions were suspended and ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States Soccer Federation announced that the 2022 edition would run from March to mid-September of that year.[2] The 2022 field features 103 clubs, 71 of them fully professional—both modern-era records.[3]
On December 22, 2021, U.S. Soccer announced the final format for the 2022 tournament, with two major changes from prior editions. First, all eligible Division II and Division III professional teams entered the second round. Second, Major League Soccer had their teams entry staggered: Seventeen MLS teams entered the Third Round, and the remaining eight teams (the four playing in the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League, and the next highest two teams in both the Eastern and Western Conferences) entered the Round of 32.[4]
For the first time since 2017, multiple leagues from the same division competed in the Open Cup. USL League One, of Division III, competed alongside teams from MLS Next Pro and the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA). NISA was set to make its Open Cup debut in 2020, before that tournament was canceled; MLS Next Pro was established in 2021, and while primarily a developmental league for MLS teams, its independent clubs are eligible for the Open Cup.
Atlanta United FC was the defending champion, when Atlanta won the 2019 tournament, but was eliminated in the Round of 32 by Nashville SC.
States without a team in the Open Cup: Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Open Cup debuts
31 teams played in their first Open Cup tournament in 2022.
UPSL: Escondido FC, Lynchburg FC, Oyster Bay United FC, San Fernando Valley FC
Other Open Division: Brockton FC United, D'Feeters Kicks SC
Format
Draws
No team who was playing their first Open Cup match was paired with another team also playing their first Open Cup match. An exception was made if there were no other teams that were geographically close in order to prevent excess travel.[3]
Random pairings were done in cases where three or more teams were from the same general area.[3]
In cases where a geographical fit didn't exist, a random selection occurred.[3]
Single-game-knockout format with two 45-minute halves and stoppage time.[3]
Tied matches are sent to two 15-minute extra time halves with stoppage time.[3]
Matches tied after extra time will be settled with a penalty shootout.[3]
Home teams are determined by a random selection among teams that apply to host. Teams that meet minimum tournament standards will be given priority over others in their pairing.[3]
Five substitutions during regulation time over three substitution windows and halftime.[3]
One extra substitution added during extra time. This substitution can be made at the end of regulation, over an additional substitution window, or at extra time halftime.[3]
Up to two extra substitutions over two extra substitution windows will be available in the case of a concussion. If a team uses this concussion substitution, the opposing team gains an additional substitution and substitution window.[3]
First and Second rounds
In the First round, teams (local, National Amateur Cup, NPSL, & USL2) were paired in a geographical manner, pitting teams closer together against each other. Once the First round pairings were made those pairings were matched with a Division II (USLC) or a Division III (MLS Next Pro, NISA, or USL1) team in a geographical manner for the Second round. Division II & III teams that remained unmatched were matched together, again geographically, avoiding any same-division matching (e.g., no II vs II or III vs III).[3]
The complete draw for the First round, including match dates and times, was announced on February 2, 2022.[8] Draws for the Second round were announced on February 11; match dates and times were announced on February 28.[9][10]
Note: South Carolina United forfeited the match after failing a pregame roster check, and the official result is a 1–0 win for North Carolina Fusion. The two teams elected to play a friendly, which ended in a 3–1 (aet) win for North Carolina.[11]
Note: Match was originally played March 22 and resulted in a 2–3 (aet) win for West Chester. FC Motown lodged a protest, citing an illegal substitute made by West Chester, and won. The first result was nullified and the match will be replayed in its entirety.[12]
Stadium: Heart Health Park Attendance: 2,260 Referee: Michael Zapata
Third round
The winners of the second round and the new entrants to the tournament were grouped geographically into groups of four (12 groups) or six (eight groups), depending on the distribution of teams after the second round. Division I (MLS) teams entering the tournament were spread among the groups as evenly as possible (groups of four: five groups with two and seven groups with one MLS team; groups of six: one group with three and seven groups with two MLS teams). All MLS teams faced a lower-division team. Random selection for each group determined the pairs. Instances where geographical fit didn't exist when creating groups was resolved by random selection.[3]
The winners of the Third Round and the new entrants to the tournament were grouped geographically into groups of four (eight groups). Each group had one of the MLS teams entering this round. Random selection for each group determined the pairs. Instances where geographical fit didn't exist when creating groups was resolved by random selection.[3] The draw for the Round of 32 took place on April 21.[17]
Note: Match was originally scheduled for May 11 and was suspended in the 20th minute due to lightning.[18]
Round of 16 and Quarterfinals
The winners of the Round of 32 were grouped geographically into groups of four (four groups). Random selection for each group determined the pairs.[3] The Round of 16/Quarterfinal draw took place on May 12 at 8:30 PM EDT on Futbol Americas on ESPN+.[19]
The Quarterfinal winners were matched geographically to determine the pairings for the semifinal round.[3] The draw to determine the home teams for the semifinals and the final was held on June 23.[20]
First Round matches were split between ESPN+ and U.S. Soccer's YouTube channel; all matches from the second round to the final were broadcast on ESPN+. This is the final year of a four-year agreement between ESPN and U.S. Soccer to broadcast the tournament. Warner Bros. Discovery Sports will have the rights starting in 2023, as part of an 8-year agreement with U.S. Soccer.[3]
