The Seattle Sounders just beat the second placed LA Galaxy, 3-1, on Aug. 8, yet hardly any fans were in the stands for the knockout game. The reported number was 17,242. For fans who were there, it seemed like much less. Why is that? While there are multiple answers, the easiest explanation is the type of game it was.

The Sounders are still alive in the Leagues Cup, which is a tournament with teams from across Mexico and the United States.

Fans from across the country have been complaining about MLS’s decisions regarding the U.S. Open Cup and Leagues Cup — and the backlash is completely justified. MLS should not be prioritizing their own financial gain first through promoting Leagues Cup while simultaneously impeding the U.S. Open Cup.

The U.S. Open Cup has been around for over 100 years, and is the American version of the immensely popular English FA Cup. It is a competition which includes teams from over four leagues in America’s professional soccer structure.

Leagues Cup, however, is a new endeavor — its inaugural tournament was in 2019 and was recently revamped in 2023. Similar to the U.S. Open Cup, Leagues Cup is a tournament for multiple leagues, including both Mexico’s Liga MX and America’s MLS.

The difference between the competitions is stark. Leagues Cup offers no chance at that tantalizing underdog story that the U.S. Open Cup offers. No matter what, a team from the first division of professional soccer will win. The only question is whether it’s an American team or Mexican team hoisting the trophy.

So what exactly does Leagues Cup offer? Money.

In 2022, MLS signed a record-breaking deal with Apple TV worth $2.5 billion over 10 years. As Leagues Cup is viewable with MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, it makes sense why MLS promotes it extensively — MLS profits from the increased hype and viewership. Contrarily, U.S. Soccer controls broadcasting of The Open Cup. Even though some matches may make it to Apple TV, there is not the direct profit pipeline from the U.S. Open Cup to MLS.

It’s not only the TV rights, either. Lesser numbers of casual fans will buy tickets to these games against obscure teams, at least until a team reaches the late round games. This is why matchups are held at venues such as Starfire with a max capacity of 4,500 — Lumen Field’s 68,000 capacity would be sparsely filled at one of these game. When MLS compares that to the 25,000 fans paying for tickets and concessions while filling Lumen for a Leagues Cup group stage game, their decision becomes clearer.

Not only has MLS poured money and advertising into Leagues Cup, they have begun to take away the full underdog appeal from the U.S. Open Cup. In early 2024, MLS authorized their teams to enter rosters filled with Academy players into the competition. All but eight teams utilized this, taking away from the full Open Cup experience.

The gradual degradation of the U.S. Open Cup brings up an interesting question for MLS and soccer enjoyers: what should you prioritize in your soccer viewing? Do you watch for the flashy, high-level games with the stars of MLS and Liga MX battling it out? Or do you stick with history and prestige, supporting a tournament where participants at all levels have a chance at glory?

As someone who always places the growth of soccer in America first, I do not believe boycotting the Leagues Cup is the answer — fun, widespread soccer will never be an issue for me. However, there is no question that the U.S. Open Cup needs support, and this is where all focus of fans should be directed. The eight supporters group currently “boycotting” Leagues Cup will hopefully realize this as they recognize the futility of their boycotts – even with such negative noise, teams such as the San Jose Earthquakes are still setting attendance records.

Since undermining Leagues Cup is not the answer, how can fans support the U.S. Open Cup?

The Seattle Sounders are one of the eight teams who have kept in accordance with the history of the U.S. Open Cup, playing the competition with their full roster. With this firepower, they have progressed to the semi-finals after several nail-biting finishes, where they will meet fellow MLS side LAFC on August 27 at Starfire.

Interestingly, the other semi-final has USL side Indy 11 playing against MLS team Sporting Kansas City. This game portrays the beauty of the U.S. Open Cup perfectly – Indy 11, a team with a maximum salary of $450,000, going toe-to-toe with Sporting Kansas City, a team with a median salary of around $450,000. Even better, those who have supported Indy 11 at their 10,000 capacity track and soccer stadium for years now get to see their hometown heroes fight the best of the best at soccer-specific stadium Children’s Mercy Park. That is what the Open Cup is all about.

While fans cannot control the promotion and visibility MLS gives to the U.S. Open Cup, they can control their support. We will see what the atmosphere is like at the Sounders’ important semi-final in late August.

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Guest sports columnist Tyler Rubenstein is a senior at Liberty High School.

Photo provided by Tyler Rubenstein.