Ballard FC was formed in 2021 with two goals: to build community around soccer and to provide a pathway for players to achieve their dreams of playing professionally. On the field, our mission from the beginning was to win a USL2 National Championship and to qualify for and compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
The U.S. Open Cup is our country’s most historic, authentic and inclusive soccer competition. This week it has been reported that Major League Soccer will only be fielding a fraction of its teams in the 109th edition of this historic tournament, set to begin in less than one month. We are extremely disappointed that this current edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup will not include all teams from all levels of American soccer and that changes are being made during the competition cycle.
Since qualifying in August after winning the USL2 National Championship, we have worked incredibly hard to prepare a competitive team, host a first round match, and promote our Cup run and we have invested significant time and resources into this moment and opportunity. While we remain fully committed to participation, it feels disrespectful and short-sighted that those with the most power and influence over the sport we love will not honor the integrity of this tournament.
Going forward, we urge all stakeholders in American soccer to recommit to the core principles of the U.S. Open Cup in order to help it grow to its full potential.
