You'll find this article on www.usopencup.com

USOpenCup.com has learned that there will be a qualifying process to
determine which Major League Soccer clubs will participate in the 2007
U.S. Open Cup. The specifics of the qualification process will be
announced later this week.

The change in format was first realized when a memo surfaced that was
sent from the USSF to the USASA, where it showed that only eight teams
will represent MLS in the upcoming tournament.

Some have speculated that the reduction in participating teams was a
result of the new SuperLiga tournament, however, a source close to
the organization of this year's tournament told USOpenCup.com that
"the teams participating in the [SuperLiga tournament] will be
included, either as automatic entries into the tournament, or
participating in stand-alone qualifying matches against other MLS
teams for the right to compete in the tournament."

Contrary to what was stated in the initial memo, it has also been
confirmed that the USL First and Second Division clubs will not all be
entered into this year's tournament. There will likely be a
qualification process for those clubs as well.

Below are the dates of the 2007 U.S. Open Cup, as stated in the memo.
The official format will not be finalized until after the Open Cup
Committee meets on February 23:

Monday, May 28


Qualifying deadline

Wednesday, May 30
First Round pairings announced

Tuesday, June 12
First Round

Tuesday, June 26
Second Round

Tuesday, July 10
Third Round (Second Round winners + 8 MLS clubs)

Tuesday, August 7
Quarterfinal Round

Tuesday, September 4
Semifinal Round

Tuesday, October 2
Championship game