I doubt anyone to know too much about the US Open Cup or even MLS but just know that this is really bad. The USOC is the oldest soccer tournament in the country, starting in 1914 and teams from your local amateur club to Inter Miami compete in it. The fact that the hyper-capitalist, anti-competitive, hates the game league is trying to kill it (again) spells complete disaster for such an important tournament. If you plan on going to an MLS game this summer, please reconsider and support a lower league team (there's a decent chance you have a semi pro team if you live in an area with > 60 people).