Major League Soccer (MLS) teams New York Red Bulls, Portland Timbers, and Seattle Sounders FC each entered their under-23 amateur sides. US Soccer announced that these MLS sides could not play their affiliated sides before the Open Cup Final. The same rule holds for the NASL's Indy Eleven and their amateur side Indy Eleven NPSL.
The cash prize amounts were the same as those in 2015, with the champion receiving $250,000 and the runner-up $60,000. Also, the team from each lower division that advanced the furthest received $15,000.[6] The champion of the tournament also received a berth in the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League.[7]
All United States Division I (MLS), Division II (NASL), and Division III (USL) teams qualified automatically, except teams that are majority owned by a higher-level outdoor professional league team. This rule prevented
Swope Park Rangers from competing.[1]New York Cosmos B (NPSL) also stated that they would not enter the competition.[3][4] The Rio Grande Valley FC Toros were ruled ineligible at the request of the Houston Dynamo.[5] The New York Athletic Club
(NPSL) withdrew before the access list was announced on February 5.
Stadium: Ventura College Sportsplex Referee: Reed Christy
Note: L.A. protested the result, claiming that Ventura County used a player cup-tied to Cal FC.[13] On May 13, the protest was upheld and L.A. moved on to the next round.[14]
Note: Game was tied 2–2 after extra time, and the Villages won 4–2 in penalties. The Villages SC were disqualified from the tournament after the Battery protested their use of a player cup-tied to Boca Raton FC.[16]
Attendance: 3,409 Referee: Alex Chilowicz (New Jersey)
Semifinals
The draw to determine the semifinal hosts for the final teams from the eastern and western halves of the bracket took place on July 21 at Soccer House in Chicago and was conducted by U.S. Open Cup Commissioner Paul Marstaller. The semifinal matches were held on August 9–10.[17]
The hosting priority for the 2016 U.S. Open Cup Final took place subsequent to the semifinal host draw. The order went as follows: Chicago Fire, LA Galaxy, FC Dallas, New England Revolution.[17]
