Crown Legacy will participate in this year's U.S. Open Cup

By Andrew Crowell

Photo Courtesy of CJ Hellner/Topbin90

Charlotte MLS Next Pro team Crown Legacy FC will be representing Charlotte in the upcoming U.S. Open Cup.

This year's U.S. Open Cup will involve participation from 8 MLS teams. Last year’s champions, Houston Dynamo automatically qualify while the top 7 highest-ranked teams in last year’s Supporters Shield will participate, as long as the team is not currently participating in the CONCACAF Champions League. 

11 MLS Next Pro teams will be included in the cup in addition to the above 8 MLS teams, with Charlotte’s Crown Legacy being one of the selected 11. 

The eight MLS teams will play lower division Next Pro teams until it can’t be avoided in the competition. 

This will prove to be an exciting challenge for Crown Legacy coming off an exciting inaugural season where they finished first in the MLS Next Pro regular season before being knocked out in the Conference semifinals in the playoffs by eventual finalists Columbus Crew 2.