The 2009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is the 96th edition of the oldest competition in American soccer. The tournament proper features teams from the top five levels of the American Soccer Pyramid. These five levels, namely Major League Soccer, the United Soccer Leagues (First Division, Second Division, and Premier Development League), and the United States Adult Soccer Association, each have their own separate qualification process to trim their ranks down to their final eight team delegations in the months leading up to the start of the tournament proper. The eight MLS clubs receive byes into the third round, while the remaining 32 teams play in the first two round with brackets influenced by geography. Seattle Sounders FC played D.C. United in the final at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., D.C. United's home stadium. The Sounders won 2-1 over United to win their first ever trophy. [edit] Qualification process The qualifying process for MLS will take the form of an eight-team play-off tournament. The top six finishers, regardless of conference, in 2008 were given six of the berths into the Third Round. The eight remaining U.S.-based clubs will compete for the final two berths via a playoff. Continuing the format of recent seasons, no qualification process will be needed for USL-1 and USL-2 as each level has exactly eight U.S.-based clubs for the 2009 season. The PDL has announced that four selected early season games will again double as qualifying matches, as they had in recent years. Each division receives a berth, since there are eight divisions instead of the ten that existed in 2008. The qualifying process for the USASA will take the form of four regional tournaments, with the two finalists in each region being awarded berths. [edit] Matchdays Match pairing will be announced on May 27.[1] | Date | Round | Notes | | June 9 | First | 32 USL and USASA clubs enter | | June 16 | Second | | | June 30 | Third | 8 MLS clubs enter, each plays a winner from second round | | July 7 | Quarterfinals | | | July 21/22 | Semifinals | | | Sept. 2 | Final | Seattle Sounders FC v. DC United | [edit] Qualified clubs [edit] Major League Soccer (MLS) [edit] United Soccer Leagues (USL) - First Division (USL-1)
| - Second Division (USL-2)
| - Premier Development League (PDL)
| [edit] United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) [edit] Open Cup bracket Second Round winners advance to play one of 8 MLS clubs in 16-team knockout tournament
Home teams listed on top of bracket
[edit] First Round
Note: Match stopped at 74' due to lightning.
[edit] Second Round
[edit] Third Round
[edit] Quarterfinals
[edit] Semifinals
[edit] Goal scorers - 3 goals
- 2 goals
- 1 goal
| - 1 goal (continued)
| - 1 goal (continued)
| [edit] References | | | 2009 in American soccer | | | | | | Leagues | | | | Cups | | | | Other | | | | International | | | Club competitions | | | | National teams | | | | Team seasons | | | MLS | | | | USL-1 | | | | USL-2 | Bermuda Hogges · Charlotte Eagles · Crystal Palace Baltimore · Harrisburg City Islanders · Pittsburgh Riverhounds · Real Maryland Monarchs · Richmond Kickers · Western Mass Pioneers · Wilmington Hammerheads | | | WPS | | | | | | | |
