David Valentin

“I always felt the wrath of the opposing fans from lower division clubs a lot more than I did other MLS teams. Because you just know how much it means to them that they get to host an MLS team.” Former USMNT and MLS player Dax McCarty speaks about how important the U.S. Open Cup is for American soccer. He was speaking on The Cooligans this week 🗣️ “I love the U.S. Open Cup. It was one of my favorite competitions,” McCarty said. “I made the U.S. Open Cup final my second year in MLS, way back in 2007. “We lost an absolutely fantastic game at home to the New England Revolution 3-2. And I didn't realize it at the time that I wouldn't get back to a U.S. Open Cup final. “Now I reflect on that and I think, man, I really wish, not necessarily that I would have done anything differently because it was a well-played game, but there was a sense of frustration there that I never made it back to a U.S. Open Cup final because of how much I love the competition. “I love what it means to lower division clubs. I love what it means to players who might be playing in USL who feel like they deserve a chance in MLS. “And lower division teams who want to show that they're still on par with Major League Soccer teams. “It's a difficult conversation to have because there's all kinds of narratives surrounding the competition about how to make it better, how to make it more important. “You make it more important by coaches taking the competition seriously, by clubs taking the competition seriously, and by every single team being involved in the competition. “I see narratives kind of thrown out there now from 2024 to 2026, the U.S. Open Cup winners are going to have to have an asterisk by their name. “Nonsense. It's still a very important competition. That is still a really important trophy to win. It's one that I wish that I had another chance to win in my career. “I will always have love for the U.S. Open Cup because it's a great chance to see lower division clubs get some glory. “And by the way, shout out to Forge up in Canada for winning the Canadian Championship. Really, really happy to see that. “But yeah, the U.S. Open Cup is an important competition. These are important games. “I always felt the wrath of the opposing fans from lower division clubs a lot more than I did other MLS teams. Because you just know how much it means to them that they get to host an MLS team. “They get to prove that they are on par or better than MLS teams. And if you don't take it seriously, you can be punished. We've seen that a number of times in the U.S. Open Cup. “And right now, I'm just trying to picture Forge in the CONCACAF Champions Cup going to Azteca and playing against Club América. “I mean, could you imagine? I'm so happy for them. I'm so excited.” McCarty played for the likes of FC Dallas, D.C. United, New York Red Bulls, Chicago Fire, Nashville SC, and Atlanta United in MLS. He also earned 13 caps for the USMNT, winning the 2017 Gold Cup. Now retired, McCarty covers MLS for Apple TV.