Supporters Groups Sit Out Leagues Cup
Charlotte FC supporters group Southbound & Crown joins other groups across MLS in skipping the controversial Leagues Cup, as coach Dean Smith goes on a rant about the competition's quality.
NC Soccer Update:
Last night, Asheville City SC’s USL League Two playoff run came to an end in the national semifinals, with a 1-0 loss to Seacoast United Phantoms - Asheville’s first lost of the season in League Two play. It is the team’s best-ever playoff finish.
One level above, in League One, Charlotte Independence Star Juan Carlos Obregón Jr. became the golden boot leader for the league with a brace in the Independence’s 2-4 away win over the Spokane Velocity. The Independence are now in second place in the League One table, tied with the league-leading Greenville Triumph on points (23) despite one fewer match played (12).
In the NWSL, the NC Courage won its second-straight Summer Cup group stage match on penalty kicks. They defeated Racing Louisville 1 (4) to 1 (5) in Kentucky, the same score they posted at home against the Orlando Pride. The Courage play their final group stage match this Wednesday against Liga MX side C.F. Monterrey in Cary, N.C.
In the USL Championship, North Carolina FC fell 2-1 to expansion team Rhode Island FC in Smithfield, R.I. North Carolina is now ninth in the Eastern Conference, one spot out of playoff position.
Finally, both of North Carolina’s MLS NEXT Pro squads fell this past weekend, and a five-match unbeaten streak for Carolina Core came to an end. The Core lost 0-1 to NYCFC II at home in High Point after a first half red card, and Crown Legacy lost 2-0 away to Inter Miami II in Fort Lauderdale.
Supporters Groups Sit Out Leagues Cup
World football has a long, rich history of protest and activism, and the response to the Open Cup controversy between Major League Soccer and the United States Soccer Federation (U.S. Soccer) is no different.
Since MLS’s decision to exit the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, soccer supporters groups across the country have responded by protesting or boycotting the Leagues Cup, a competition between clubs from MLS and the Mexican Liga MX. Soccer Sheet has identified at least a dozen MLS supporters groups that will have no official presence during Leagues Cup matches, and almost twice as many that have condemned MLS's Open Cup stance without making a comment on Leagues Cup.
Founded in 1914, the Open Cup is the country's oldest ongoing national soccer competition, and is run by U.S. Soccer. MLS commissioner Don Garber has long been skeptical of the competition, criticizing it for low attendance and the poor quality of matches. The Open Cup is "a very poor reflection on what it is that we're trying to do with soccer at the highest level," Garber said at a U.S. Soccer meeting in 2023.
Since the introduction of Leagues Cup, Garber has also cited schedule congestion and player fatigue as reasons to deprioritize the Open Cup, and players and coaches we’ve talked to have made it clear that is a legitimate concern.
With 34 regular season games, the potential for each team to play up to 7 playoff matches, and over 10 possible Open Cup and Leagues Cup matches, an MLS side could potentially play 50 games in a season, not counting preseason matches and friendlies. If the club qualifies for international tournaments like the CONCACAF Champions League or the Club World Cup, that could mean even more matches and a heavier burden on club rosters.
The schedule congestion is also a reason Leagues Cup is specifically targeted by supporters groups, since in the absence of Leagues Cup teams would have more bandwidth for the Open Cup.
After intense criticism of the league’s decision to leave the Open Cup competition earlier this year, MLS partially reversed its decision, sending eight first teams to the Open Cup while having the other 21 MLS clubs represented by their MLS NEXT Pro squads. Though Garber recognizes the league made an “unpopular decision,” he continues to be skeptical of the Open Cup.
“For whatever reason, the tournament hasn’t resonated enough to be able to drive the value that we hope it could drive at some point,” said Garber at a recent press conference. “And U.S. Soccer would acknowledge that.”
Critics, however, believe MLS’s decision was made in part - if not entirely - because US Soccer declined to renew the contract of SUM Communications, the for-profit marketing arm of MLS, to broadcast and promote the Open Cup.
Now, South Carolina-based supporters group Southbound & Crown has joined them, stating they “will not be tailgating or officially participating in any Charlotte FC Leagues Cup activities or matches,” though individual members are welcome to make their own choices.
Southbound & Crown leadership did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Charlotte’s Mint City Collective has taken a different approach, organizing a watch party for Charlotte’s first match (Editor’s Note: Sam is an MCC member).
Pitch Problems Plague Leagues Cup
Last week, MLS announced at least one club’s pitch would not be usable for the Leagues Cup.
Due to concerns with the condition of the playing surface at D.C. United’s stadium, the Leagues Cup 2024 match between Santos Laguna and D.C. United, originally scheduled for July 31, will be relocated to Subaru Park in Chester, PA, and rescheduled for July 31 at 8:00 pm ET.
This decision was made by the Leagues Cup organizing committee in coordination with both LIGA MX and MLS to ensure the best possible conditions for the competition. As a result of this situation, D.C. United will be issued an undisclosed economic sanction.
All ticketholders for the match will receive emails regarding the status of their tickets as well as next steps. D.C. United is installing a new grass field at the club’s stadium on July 31, which was previously scheduled for August 1.
D.C. United wasn’t alone in its problems.
After Charlotte FC’s first Leagues Cup match on July 27, head coach Dean Smith was not pleased with the condition of the pitch or the quality of Leagues Cup play during the team’s 0-1 loss to Philadelphia Union.
That wasn’t an MLS game out there. I think that is possibly the worst game I’ve seen since I came over to the USA. It was a litany of errors from both teams. They deserved to win because they probably got the only shot on target all game. It was just a bad, bad game. Not a great advert.
We have to take responsibility for that; I just said that to the players that in the dressing room.
The pitch did not help. I think they must have had a water shortage here or something. I think I have played on better car parks than that. It was so much better when we played here last time. But, it was a bad game.
Supporters Groups Work to Resolve Open Cup Conflict
St. Louis CITY SC, the newest club to join MLS play, has positioned itself as an heir to St. Louis’ rich soccer history, branding their city as “America's First Soccer Capital.” In an effort to respect the history of the Open Cup, the club has facilitated discussions between the team’s supporters groups, U.S. Soccer, and MLS.
Even in St. Louis, the decision to boycott Leagues Cup was not unanimous, and showed a possible split between supporters groups and fandoms. STL Santos is the “sole recognized supporters group for Latino/Hispanic CITY fans,” and explained their “difficult decision” to boycott Leagues Cup on social media:
This was a difficult choice. As the sole recognized supporters group for Latino/Hispanic CITY fans in St. Louis, the Leagues Cup is a chance to boost awareness of our group and the team, especially due to the involvement of Liga MX. Polling both our members and board revealed a nearly even split on whether to support or end the boycott, making the decision even more challenging.
Our boycott is not against the club. We aim to send a message to the league, and we believe it's being heard. We wish St. Louis CITY SC success in the Leagues Cup and while STL Santos will not formally participate in gameday activities, it will not restrict its members from attending any Leagues Cup matches. Members are encouraged to attend games if they wish.
Recent discussions with MLS and USSF officials offer hope for improvements and greater participation in next year's US Open Cup. We eagerly await an official decision and announcement from the League and Federation on the matter.
Other Hispanic/Latino supporters groups across the league are not protesting Leagues Cup. While Austin FC’s Los Verdes strongly support the Open Cup, the membership is split on protesting or supporting Leagues Cup.
Blue Furia, a Charlotte-based supporters group, is supporting Leagues Cup and hosted a watch party for Charlotte FC’s match on July 27.
The split between supporters groups is understandable, since some longtime soccer fans with roots in Latin America are more familiar with or more invested in teams like Club América than they are in the Open Cup. Most supporters groups have recognized this fact, and have made it clear that they are leaving the decision of whether or not to attend, watch, or support Leagues Cup up to individual fans.
For Charlotte fans, however, all of the Leagues Cup discourse may be moot soon. If they lose at home against Cruz Azul on Wednesday, it will be their last competitive match until their MLS season resumes on August 24.