The USASA National Women's Open was an American women's soccer tournament run by the United States Adult Soccer Association. It began in 1996, and from 2009 to 2012 it was known as the Women's Cup. Before the formation of the Women's Open, the Women's Amateur was the top national cup competition.
Historically, it has only been contested by amateur and semi-pro teams, as teams from professional leagues (WUSA, WPS, and the NWSL) are not allowed to enter the competition. In 2012 though, the Chicago Red Stars, a professional club in the WPSL Elite, entered and won the competition. Similarly, the professional[1] Houston Aces of WPSL won in 2013.
The defending Women's Cup champion is Olympic Club, who won the title in back-to-back tournaments in 2015 and 2016.[2][3] The last open was held in 2016.[4]
Tournament structure
edit2009–2012
editIn the regional phase of the competition, four to sixteen teams per region compete in a round-robin (or partial round-robin) tournament, playing at least three games.[5]
The national finals feature the four regional winners in a two-round knockout tournament.
2013–2016
editTeams apply to take part in the national championships, which is contested as an initial round-robin group, followed by a championship game if there are more than four teams participating.
Finalists
editReferences
edit- ^ "Anderson Inks Contract to Play with Houston Aces". April 17, 2013.
- ^ "Women's US Open Cup". BigSoccer Forum. Archived from the original on November 2, 2023.
- ^ "Women's US Open Cup". BigSoccer Forum. Archived from the original on November 2, 2023.
- ^ Lenard, John (April 5, 2018). "Why is there no Women's Open Cup?". Soc Takes. Archived from the original on December 5, 2022.
- ^ "United States Adult Soccer Association".
- ^ "United States Adult Soccer Association".
- ^ "USA History: The US Open Cup (National Challenge Cup)".
- ^ "United States Adult Soccer Association".
- ^ "United States Adult Soccer Association".
- ^ "U.S. Women's Open Cup 2012: Quest for results!". SportsMyriad.
- ^ http://forums.bigsoccer.com/threads/womens-us-open-cup.986727/page-2#post-32624185 [dead link]
- ^ "United States Adult Soccer Association" (PDF).