New York Red Bulls defender John Tolkin has blasted MLS for the stance it has taken on the 2024 Open Cup.
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MLS considering backing out of 2024 Open CupReports saying league will field NEXT Pro teamsTolkin blasts league for decision on tournamentGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
On the latest episode of the with ex-USMNT star Herculez Gomez, the New York Red Bulls defender shared that he thinks it would be "the worst idea" for MLS to not field first-teams in the 2024 U.S. Open Cup – or, dramatically, field less than one-third of the leagues teams.
The league filed a request in December to field their reserve teams in the tournament, but U.S. Soccer countered by denying it. Now, MLS's stance on the 2024 tournament is uncertain.
Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowAdvertisementWATCH THE CLIPWHAT TOLKIN SAID
The defender exclaimed: "The worst idea… for both MLS and USL teams in my opinion. I know a lot of guys who used the Open Cup as a chance to get minutes and now they're first-team main contributors. I know there's been a lot of USL teams that make those runs and I'm sure some of those guys go on to get MLS contracts.
"Also, just the heritage – if we want to build this game in this country, how are you going to get rid of the nations tournaments? That's like getting rid of England's FA Cup… come on."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
reported Thursday that now, after the USSF denied MLS's request to field reserve teams in the tournament, just eightof a possible 29 teams will compete in the 2024 edition of the tournament. However, nothing is certain, with league commissioner Don Garber saying that they are "committed" to fielding teams… but in what manner, he did not share.
Meanwhile, all 47 USL clubs qualified for the tournament have vowed to compete.