What Is 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

Overview

The 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was the 99th edition of the United States’ oldest ongoing national soccer competition. It featured professional and amateur teams from various divisions across the American soccer pyramid, including Major League Soccer (MLS), USL Championship, and amateur leagues. The tournament ran from May to August 2012, culminating in a dramatic final between Sporting Kansas City and Seattle Sounders FC.

Sporting Kansas City claimed their second title by defeating Seattle Sounders FC 3–2 in extra time at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas. The win earned the club $250,000 in prize money and an automatic berth into the 2013–14 CONCACAF Champions League. The 2012 edition continued the tradition of the Open Cup as a single-elimination tournament open to all affiliated U.S.-based teams.

• Final date: The championship match took place on August 8, 2012, marking the conclusion of a nearly three-month-long competition.
• Champion:Sporting Kansas City won the title, securing their second U.S. Open Cup trophy after previously winning in 2004.
• Runner-up:Seattle Sounders FC reached the final for the fourth consecutive year but lost for the first time after winning in 2009, 2010, and 2011.
• Winning goal: The decisive goal was scored by Soony Saad in the 98th minute during extra time, sealing the 3–2 victory.
• Attendance: The final drew 19,228 fans to LIVESTRONG Sporting Park, showcasing strong local support for the home team.

How It Works

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup follows a single-elimination format where teams from different levels of the American soccer hierarchy compete for the national title. The 2012 edition included 40 teams, with qualification based on league performance and geographic representation.

• Structure: The tournament used a single-elimination bracket, meaning one loss eliminated a team, with ties resolved by extra time and penalties if needed.
• Eligibility: Teams from MLS, USL Pro, NASL, and amateur leagues such as the USCS and NPSL were eligible to participate based on USSF approval.
• Seeding: Higher-division teams entered in later rounds; MLS clubs joined in the third round, giving lower-tier teams a chance to progress.
• Home advantage: The team with the better regular-season record hosted each match, a rule designed to reward performance and boost attendance.
• Prize: The winner received $250,000 and qualification for the 2013–14 CONCACAF Champions League, a major international incentive.
• Historical context: First held in 1914, the Open Cup is the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the United States, predating MLS by over 80 years.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of key aspects of the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and previous editions:

The 2012 tournament saw an increase in prize money and MLS involvement compared to 2011, reflecting growing investment in the competition. The expanded prize fund highlighted U.S. Soccer’s effort to incentivize MLS teams to take the Open Cup seriously. Additionally, the structure allowed more lower-division teams to participate early, preserving the underdog narrative central to the tournament’s appeal.

Why It Matters

The 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was significant not only for its competitive outcome but also for its role in promoting parity and tradition in American soccer. It provided a rare platform where amateur and professional teams competed on equal footing, reinforcing the sport’s grassroots foundation.

• National spotlight: The Open Cup offers smaller clubs a chance to gain national exposure by facing top-tier MLS opponents.
• Historical legacy: Winning the cup ties a team to a century-old tradition, enhancing its prestige and fan loyalty.
• Financial incentive: The $250,000 prize was a major boost for clubs, especially lower-division teams with limited budgets.
• CONCACAF qualification: The winner earned a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League, offering international competition experience.
• Grassroots inclusion: Amateur teams like Cal FC made headlines by defeating MLS clubs, proving the tournament’s unpredictability.
• Competitive balance: The format encourages upsets and dramatic finishes, as seen in the 2012 final’s extra-time winner.

Ultimately, the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup exemplified the magic of knockout soccer, combining history, competition, and opportunity. It remains a cornerstone of American soccer culture, uniting diverse levels of the sport under one prestigious banner.