In a saga that has revealed the shifting power dynamics in American soccer, the U.S. Soccer Federation has announced a compromise with Major League Soccer (MLS) regarding the participation of MLS teams in the U.S. Open Cup. The compromise comes after months of negotiations and deliberations, with the federation ultimately bowing to the demands of MLS in order to keep the historic tournament alive.

The U.S. Open Cup, a century-old soccer competition, had faced potential collapse as MLS had attempted to abandon the 2024 tournament. Arthur Mattson, the former chair of the U.S. Soccer Committee overseeing the Open Cup, pushed for all MLS teams to participate, but was met with resistance. Frustrated by the lack of support from U.S. Soccer leadership, Mattson resigned from his position in mid-February.

The compromise reached between U.S. Soccer, led by CEO J.T. Batson, and MLS stipulates that only eight out of the 26 eligible MLS teams will participate in the 2024 Open Cup. Additionally, eleven "MLS Next Pro" teams, with nine of them being MLS reserve teams, will also take part in the tournament. The traditional mix of lower-tier professional and amateur clubs will also be included.

This revamped format seeks to sustain the Open Cup for the time being, but it required U.S. Soccer to bend its Pro League Standards to accommodate the desires of one member — MLS. The federation acknowledged the financial challenges faced by MLS clubs in the tournament and proposed a new revenue-sharing model, increased travel stipends, and further investment in marketing and promotion.

The compromise raises questions about the balance of power in American soccer and whether the interests of billionaire MLS owners have surpassed those of elected representatives. U.S. Soccer's close relationship with MLS, which has fueled some of its grandest ambitions, has drawn scrutiny in the past. While the federation ended its ties with Soccer United Marketing, concerns remain regarding other dependencies, such as player development and funding for the national team.

Enforcing the Pro League Standards, which require U.S.-based teams to participate in all eligible competitions, including the Open Cup, could have resulted in legal battles and potential desanctioning of MLS. U.S. Soccer's lawyers were unsure of winning such a battle given recent rulings that weakened governing bodies' powers over clubs and players.

Ultimately, starting a war with MLS was deemed too harmful to all involved. The federation's dependence on MLS owners and their financial contributions, which have driven the growth of the sport, has tilted the scales in favor of the league. This power dynamic has influenced the decisions surrounding the Open Cup and other aspects of soccer governance in the United States.

The compromise has drawn criticism from stakeholders outside of MLS, including United Soccer League president Paul McDonough, who expressed disappointment in U.S. Soccer's perceived lack of leadership. Lower-division clubs, like the Richmond Kickers, have lamented the federation's failure to hold other leagues accountable to the Pro League Standards.

The exact decision-making process within U.S. Soccer remains unclear. While the Open Cup Committee, led by Arthur Mattson, was reportedly not sufficiently consulted, a task force made up of board members, including Michael Karon from the American Youth Soccer Organization and Richard Groff, an experienced adult soccer administrator, played a role in negotiating with MLS. MLS executive Nelson Rodriguez also worked closely with U.S. Soccer officials during the discussions.

As the future of the U.S. Open Cup beyond 2024 remains uncertain, U.S. Soccer officials will focus on incentivizing MLS participation rather than enforcing it. The compromise serves as a reminder of the shifting power dynamics in American soccer, where the influence of MLS and its billionaire owners has become increasingly dominant.