Photo from Miami FC v NY Cosmos in the NASL semifinal win by NY.
Pictured, from left NY Csmos owner Rocco Commisso & Armada owner Robert Palmer, far right , Rishi Segal NASL Interim Commish.
Last week, the US Soccer's Open Cup Committee decided to allow the NY Cosmos, Miami FC & Jacksonville Armamda into the tourney. At first they had not, at that time I spoke out against them being denied as it is by fault of their own that they were in a different league and if a new team is good why not them? The teams had up until about 10 minutes ago, 4 p.m. to respond. This Committee took in mind the different reasons for their position as they went from D 2, which is a pro status down to an Open Division league, this happened after the deadline of mid 2017 for the Open DIvision. Given the timing of the move, they decided to allow these teams to play. During the play-in round, they will meet either each other, or 2 teams from the PDL, the first criteira being proximity, should that leave more than one potential opponent, a random draw would settle it. These 3 teams will be subject to their opponents choice of it being a home or an away match. With all 3 being higher profile teams bet that they are away for the other to have the benefit of a bigger gate. U.S. Soccer will cover "reasonable and standard venue license fees and referee expenses" only if these teams are away. Another aspect is that this trio must by April 3 @ 4 p.m. confirm their home venue for both the play-in and First Round games of the Cup, should there be a conflict with league play, in order to saty in the Cup, the league game must be moved. The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open CUp rules from roster to discipline will will be followed. The most successful of the three is the Miami FC having reached the Qaterfinals in 2017, then the NY Cosmos getting to the sweet 16 in 2014,'15 & '16, for their part, the Jacksonville Armamda went to the 4th round in 2016.