After the 2020 and 2021 competitions were suspended and ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States Soccer Federation announced that the 2022 edition would run from March to mid-September of that year.
[3] On December 22, 2021, U.S. Soccer announced the final format for the 2022 tournament, with two major changes from prior editions.
USL League One, of Division III, competed alongside teams from MLS Next Pro and the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA).
NISA was set to make its Open Cup debut in 2020, before that tournament was canceled; MLS Next Pro was established in 2021, and while primarily a developmental league for MLS teams, its independent clubs are eligible for the Open Cup.
Orlando City SC won their first Open Cup title, defeating Sacramento Republic FC 3–0 in the final.
Pro teams that are majority-owned or controlled by higher division professional clubs are barred from entering the competition.
States without a team in the Open Cup: Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
[3] The complete draw for the First round, including match dates and times, was announced on February 2, 2022.
Instances where geographical fit didn't exist when creating groups was resolved by random selection.
Instances where geographical fit didn't exist when creating groups was resolved by random selection.