Finally! Big changes to the US Open Cup
Now when Seattle wins it's fourth in a row, the haters can all go choke on it.
The US Soccer Federation on Wednesday unveiled an expanded version of the domestic cup competition which will see all 16 US-based MLS clubs participating, a random selection process for home teams in select rounds and a champion crowned by the first week of August.
The MLS qualifying system employed in recent years has been scrapped and all 16 MLS teams eligible for participation the three Canadian teams play in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship will join the competition in the third round.
A total of 64 teams a record number in the modern era of the USOC will feature 32 professional teams, including all six NASL teams and all 10 USL PRO teams, as well as another 32 from the amateur ranks of the USASA (nine qualifiers), PDL (16 qualifiers), NPSL (6.5 qualifiers) and US Club Soccer (0.5 qualifiers).
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/01/11/us-open-cup-gets-facelift-2012-details-announced