The Miami FC U.S. Open Cup hopes not dead thanks to cup committee meeting

It was pretty well understood that The Miami FC would not be partcipating in the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament. After all, when the Open Cup handbook was released two weeks ago, Miami FC was not among the names listed. There was a good reason for this: There was no Miami FC competing in American soccer in 2018, becaues the league if formerly competed in was not sanctioned. There was a The Miami FC 2, but it was in the NPSL, and hasn’t officially kicked off this year.

However, that didn’t deter the club. On March 16, CEO Sean Flynn requested a sitdown with U.S. Soccer Federation president Carlos Cordeiro to discuss Miami FC’s participation. On this very website, it was described as a “last-ditch effort.”

While Flynn apparently didn’t get the sitdown, it does appear there is some momentum building towards the idea of including Miami FC and New York Cosmos in the 2018 tournament after all.

Per Nipun Chopra at SocTakes, the U.S. Open Cup committee met this afternoon to discuss the Open Cup application of former NASL clubs who transitioned to NPSL. This includes New York Cosmos B and The Miami FC 2. In the aforementioned letter, Flynn indicated that Miami FC never received approval or rejection from the federation.

In even more hopeful news, Chris Kivlehan of Midfield Press reported the meeting convened without a decision. The discussion on the matter would extend into a second day.

Looking for more magic

One of the great frustrations on the part of Miami FC fans this season is that there is no opportunity to repeat the cup magic the club was able to conjure last year. In 2017, the team defeated two Major League Soccer clubs on the way to the Open Cup quarterfinals. While it is no guarantee, it would appear the rumors of the club’s Open Cup demise this season are slightly exaggerated.

It’s unknown where the club would enter the tournament if they were accepted, or if the club would face any additional restrictions. However, even the discussion of this occurring has to give those associated with the team a psychological boost.