Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules.

[2] Bethlehem Steel FC compete in USL, which is the third tier of the American soccer pyramid.

Steel FC's affiliation with the Philadelphia Union of MLS has prevented the team from participating in the U.S. Open Cup competition.

The decision to make affiliated "farm teams" ineligible for the U.S. Open Cup was decided for the 2016 iteration of the tournament.

[25] The 2016 USL season will be contested by 29 teams, 14 of which compete in the league's Eastern Conference.