For the first time, a U.S. soccer league will hold its own interleague cup, and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC will participate.
The United Soccer League announced Thursday the expansion of the USL Jägermeister Cup, which will unite teams from the USL Championship and League One. The USL Jägermeister Cup will include 38 pro men’s teams, including the Riverhounds, in a World Cup-style tournament during the regular season.
Games will include modifications to encourage attacking soccer, such as penalty shootouts to determine match winners during the group stage and goals scored as the first tiebreaker in the group standings.
“We are thrilled to partner with Jägermeister to expand the competition to include both our men’s professional leagues and create more matches of consequence,” USL President and Chief Soccer Officer Paul McDonough said in a news release. “This new approach highlights the vision and commitment of our owners to explore innovative ways to adapt our structure, delivering a more compelling and entertaining format. This first-of-its-kind cup will give fans additional opportunities to support their teams and celebrate their communities in an exciting tournament.”
The USL Jägermeister Cup will consist of six regional groups, and each team will play four matches — two home, two away — in group play. The group stage kicks off April 26 and concludes the weekend of July 26.
Single-elimination knockout rounds will begin three weeks later, and the USL Jägermeister Cup will be held the weekend of Oct. 11.
The Riverhounds are in Group 4 with Detroit City FC, Hartford Athletic and Rhode Island FC, as well as newcomers to League One, Westchester SC and Portland Hearts.
The tournament will be played during the USL Championship season and the U.S. Open Cup. The schedule for Jägermeister Cup matches will be announced along with the USL Championship schedule.