The 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is the 97th edition of the oldest competition in American soccer.
The tournament proper features teams from the top five levels of the American Soccer Pyramid. These five levels, namely Major League Soccer, the D-2 Pro League, the United Soccer Leagues (Second Division and Premier Development League), and the United States Adult Soccer Association, each have their own separate qualification process to trim their ranks down to their final eight team delegations in the months leading up to the start of the tournament proper. The eight MLS clubs received byes into the third round, while the remaining 32 teams play in the first two round with brackets influenced by geography.[1] The final will take place on October 5.[2]
Qualification process
The qualifying processes for qualifying are finalized after eight teams each from the MLS, PDL, and USASA will qualify. All 15 American D-2 Pro league and USL Second Division teams qualify. The final slot will go to the winner of a one game playoff between the Sonoma County Sol and PSA Los Gatos Storm.[3]
