The professional soccer clubs of the United States and Canada, year 2012. Not pictured: NASL or USL Pro clubs based outside the continental United States.
The 2012 season is the 100th season of competitive soccer in the United States.
Source: MLS Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head record; 3) goal difference; 4) number of goals scored (C) MLS Cup Champion; (S) Supporters' Shield
Source: NASL Standings Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. (C) Champions; (X) Commissioner's Cup (regular season champion)
Source: USL Pro official standings Rules for classification: Points, then tiebreak: 1) Head-to-head record based on total points in League games, 2) Total wins in League games, 3) Goal difference in League games, 4) Goals scored in League games, etc.[6] (A) Advances to USL Pro Playoffs; (C) Commissioner's Cup (best regular season record)
^The Boston Breakers forfeited the May 26 match against the Western New York Flash for fielding an ineligible player. The Boston Breakers won the match 3–2.[7] The WPSL credited the Western New York Flash with a 1–0 victory[8] with all previous goals of the match being nullified.[9] Before the June 18 ruling,[8] Breakers forward Katie Schoepfer led the league in scoring with 8 goals. However, her 3 goals at the May 26 match were all forfeited, as were goals by Flash players Adriana and Angela Salem.
In 2012, U.S. Soccer announced that the field would expand from 40 clubs to 64 clubs,[10] that all MLS teams would receive an automatic berth, and that all 2nd and 3rd tier professional leagues would also receive an automatic berth.
The tournament is a single game, single elimination tournament with random drawings deciding the home team (provided the home team stadium meets USSF standards)[11] for the first round through the quarterfinals. The home team for the semi-finals and finals will be determined through competitive bidding as has been done in prior years.
Tournament format
Teams from the Premier Development League (16 berths), the United States Adult Soccer Association (9 berths), the National Premier Soccer League (6 berths), and US Club Soccer (1 berth) will enter the tournament in the first round. The winners will advance to the 2nd round where they will meet tier 3, USL Pro (10 berths) and tier 2 North American Soccer League professional teams. The second round winners will in turn meet the 16 MLS clubs in the third round. In the remaining rounds of the tournament, winners will advance in each round until the two teams meet in the finals on August 6 or 7th.
