One of the goals of MLS to get MLS Next Pro teams entered in the U.S. Open Cup was, according to MLS executive Nelson Rodriguez, to get “meaningful games of consequence, games under the pressure of results, under the watchful eye of committed fans.”

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Paul Kennedy edited Soccer America for 41 years (1985-2026). He began writing for SA in 1974. He started writing for France Football in 1978 and has served on in Ballon d'Or jury since 2007.