MLS' Rodriguez: Difficult to understand the draw of U.S. Open Cup (0:56)
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Andy Mead/YCJ/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
49dJeff Carlisle

No Messi, just 8 MLS 1st teams in U.S. Open Cup

Only eight of the 26 MLS clubs will participate with their first teams in the 2023-24 U.S. Open Cup, the format of which was announced Friday.

Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
58dJeff Carlisle

USL upset with handling of MLS-Open Cup row

USL CEO Paul McDonough expressed disappointment at the U.S. Soccer Federation's handling of a dispute involving MLS and the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, which is having a ripple effect on the USL.

Is Lionel Messi being used as a bargaining chip in U.S. Open Cup dispute? (1:53)
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Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
59dJeff Carlisle

Source: U.S. Open Cup gets go-ahead for 2024

A subcommittee of the U.S. Soccer Federation board of directors approved preliminary plans for a hybrid format for the 2024 edition of the U.S. Open Cup with not every MLS team participating, a source told ESPN.

Why Mourinho would be tempted by a job in MLS (1:32)
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Have Inter Miami got more transfers on the way? (1:03)
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Suarez: Level is so high at Inter Miami (1:10)
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AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell
125dKyle Bonagura

MLS withdraws first teams from U.S. Open Cup

MLS will not send its first teams to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup this season, instead opting to enter teams from MLS Next Pro, the league's 2-year-old development league, to participate in the country's oldest soccer tournament.

Why Inter Miami's playoff elimination exposes MLS's format 'fracaso' (0:57)
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Will Messi make another appearance for Inter Miami this season? (2:14)
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How did Messi's absence impact Inter Miami during the US Open Cup final? (2:28)
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Getty Images
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Messi sits as Miami loses in U.S. Open Cup final

Lionel Messi watched from the sidelines as Inter Miami CF lost 2-1 to the Houston Dynamo in the U.S. Open Cup final after he was not named in the squad due to an injury picked up while on Argentina duty.

USA Today Images
206dRoss Devonport

Messi's Open Cup status game-time decision

Lionel Messi's availability for U.S. Open Cup final will come down to a game-time decision, Inter Miami coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino said on Tuesday.

Why Messi should miss MLS debut vs. NY Red Bulls (0:34)
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Why players are disrespecting their fans by swapping shirts with Messi (0:31)
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Moreno can't understand teams' strategies against Messi (1:55)
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Why Messi is 'a leader on the pitch' for Inter Miami (0:55)
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