<p><strong>Karim Benzema</strong>’s journey in Saudi Arabia has mirrored a classic soccer redemption arc — from maligned megastar to title-winning talisman. Once the subject of widespread discontent among fans and internal tensions within&nbsp;<strong>Al-Ittihad</strong>, Benzema has risen to become the emblem of their&nbsp;<strong>2024-25 Saudi Pro League</strong>&nbsp;triumph. His transformation wasn’t just about goals — though he delivered 21 of them — but about rebuilding trust, influence, and identity.</p>



<p>After arriving with great fanfare from Real Madrid in 2023,&nbsp;<strong>Benzema’s first year in Jeddah was anything but smooth</strong>. Struggling with injuries and criticized for an apparent lack of engagement, the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner faced growing hostility. The situation worsened with former coach Marcelo Gallardo, whose falling-out with Benzema reportedly contributed to his sacking.</p>



<p><strong><em>“Gallardo wanted to bench Karim, and for us, that was a red line,”</em></strong>&nbsp;<strong>club president Loay Nazer revealed</strong>, explaining the club’s decision to part ways with the Argentine tactician.&nbsp;<strong><em>“Karim is integral to our vision.”</em></strong></p>



<h2>New regime and a ew Benzema</h2>



<p>The summer proved pivotal. Benzema played a quiet but powerful role in shaping the club’s direction, reportedly influencing the arrival of&nbsp;<strong>Laurent Blanc</strong>&nbsp;as head coach and key signings like&nbsp;<strong>Houssem Aouar</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Moussa Diaby</strong>. With so much sway behind the scenes, the pressure on the Frenchman to deliver was immense.</p>



<p><strong>And deliver he did.</strong></p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Al Ittihad crowned 2024/25 #RoshnSaudiLeague champions 🏆 | Highlights presented by Visit Saudi" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HYqaLCLV-dQ?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



<p>In&nbsp;<strong>28 league appearances</strong>, Benzema notched&nbsp;<strong>21 goals and nine assists</strong>, directly contributing to&nbsp;<strong>30 goals</strong>. His performances weren’t just statistically impressive — they came when it mattered. From late winners to moments of inspiration in tight games, the Frenchman became the spine of a side that morphed from fractured to formidable.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20250516_WST_569944_ronaldo-benzema-1200x675_09aa4cd2.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="ronaldo benzema" class="wp-image-568764" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/05/07175331/ronaldo-benzema-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/05/07175331/ronaldo-benzema-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/05/07175331/ronaldo-benzema-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/05/07175331/ronaldo-benzema-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/05/07175331/ronaldo-benzema-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/05/07175331/ronaldo-benzema-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/05/07175331/ronaldo-benzema-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/05/07175331/ronaldo-benzema.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<h2>Sealing the title in style — In front of Ronaldo’s shadow</h2>



<p>On&nbsp;<strong>Matchday 32</strong>, Al-Ittihad clinched the title with a&nbsp;<strong>3-1 comeback win over Al-Raed</strong>&nbsp;at King Abdullah Sports City. Though Benzema missed the game through injury, he watched from the stands as his teammates completed the mission. After an early scare — Al-Raed scored in the 9th minute through Oumar Gonzalez — the People’s Club responded with goals from&nbsp;<strong>Steven Bergwijn, Danilo Pereira, and Abdulrahman Al Obood</strong>&nbsp;to seal the match and the league.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Al-Ittihad players celebrating with their fans after winning the #RSL title 🏆" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Eowp_kKfyKk?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>With this win,&nbsp;<strong>Al-Ittihad amassed 77 points</strong>, establishing a&nbsp;<strong>nine-point gap over Al-Hilal</strong>, which proved unassailable due to a superior head-to-head record. The triumph was particularly symbolic. In dethroning&nbsp;<strong>Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr</strong>, Benzema achieved something he never managed at Real Madrid —&nbsp;<strong>“taking Ronaldo’s crown”</strong>&nbsp;in the same domestic league. Despite Ronaldo finishing the season as top scorer with&nbsp;<strong>23 goals</strong>, Benzema’s trophy and leadership offered the ultimate reply in their long-standing silent rivalry.</p>



<h2>Karim Benzema trophies list 2025</h2>



<h3>Lyon (2004–2009)</h3>



<ul><li class=""><strong>Ligue 1</strong>: 2004–05, 2006–07</li><li class=""><strong>Coupe de France</strong>: 2007–08</li><li class=""><strong>Trophée des Champions</strong>: 2005, 2006, 2007</li></ul>



<h3>Real Madrid (2009–2023)</h3>



<ul><li><strong>La Liga</strong>: 2011–12, 2016–17, 2019–20, 2021–22, 2022–23</li><li><strong>Copa del Rey</strong>: 2010–11, 2013–14</li><li><strong>Supercopa de España</strong>: 2012, 2017, 2019–20, 2021–22, 2022–23</li><li><strong>UEFA Champions League</strong>: 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2021–22</li><li><strong>UEFA Super Cup</strong>: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2022</li><li><strong>FIFA Club World Cup</strong>: 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018</li></ul>



<h3>Al-Ittihad (2023–Present)</h3>



<ul><li><strong>Saudi Pro League:</strong> 2024–25</li></ul>



<h3>France National Team</h3>



<ul><li><strong>UEFA Nations League</strong>: 2020–21</li></ul>



<h3>Individual Honors (Selected)</h3>



<ul><li class=""><strong>Ballon d’Or</strong>: 2022</li><li class=""><strong>UEFA Champions League Top Scorer</strong>: 2021–22</li><li class="">Multiple top scorer awards in La Liga and Champions League seasons</li><li class=""><strong>French Player of the Year</strong>: Several times</li></ul>

Al-Ittihad clinches 10th Saudi Pro League title right under Cristiano Ronaldo’s nose — A look at Karim Benzema’s glittering trophy list

Al-Ittihad clinches 10th Saudi Pro League title right under Cristiano Ronaldo’s nose — A look at Karim Benzema’s glittering trophy list - World Soccer Talk

Al-Ittihad seals 10th Saudi Pro League title: Karim Benzema trophies list

destacadas

<p><strong>Barcelona has officially clinched its 28th La Liga title</strong>, sealing a dominant 2024-25 domestic campaign under&nbsp;<strong>Hansi Flick</strong>, who joined the club last May. The Blaugrana defeated Espanyol&nbsp;<strong>2-0 in the Catalan derby</strong>&nbsp;at the RCDE Stadium on Thursday, with goals from&nbsp;<strong>Lamine Yamal</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Fermin Lopez</strong>, confirming their status as the best team in Spain.</p>



<p>The win also marked&nbsp;<strong>Barcelona’s second La Liga title in three years</strong>, and perhaps more significantly, completed a&nbsp;<strong>domestic treble</strong>&nbsp;following their earlier victories in the&nbsp;<strong>Copa del Rey</strong>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<strong>Spanish Super Cup</strong>—both of which were&nbsp;<strong>won against arch-rivals Real Madrid</strong>.</p>



<h2>Season defined by rivalry and redemption</h2>



<p>Barcelona’s journey to the title was not without adversity. The campaign featured its&nbsp;<strong>share of dips and pressure moments</strong>, including a late-season challenge from&nbsp;<strong>Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid</strong>. A pivotal moment came just a week earlier in&nbsp;<strong>El Clasico</strong>, where&nbsp;<strong>Barcelona’s win over Madrid created the decisive points gap</strong>.</p>



<p>Though&nbsp;<strong>Real Madrid won their match against Mallorca</strong>&nbsp;shortly before the Catalan derby, it wasn’t enough.&nbsp;<strong>Barcelona’s win mathematically secured the title</strong>&nbsp;with two games to spare.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="ESPANYOL 0 vs 2 FC BARCELONA | CHAMPIONS!!! LALIGA 2024/25 MD36" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rXxhAY3zR5E?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>The title caps a&nbsp;<strong>historic season</strong>, where Barcelona not only returned to the summit of Spanish soccer but also&nbsp;<strong>defeated Real Madrid in all four official encounters</strong>&nbsp;across La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa. That feat alone added extra flavor to their campaign, signaling a shift in dominance back to Catalonia.</p>



<p>The club’s ability to&nbsp;<strong>blend youth and experience</strong>&nbsp;was pivotal.&nbsp;<strong>Pedri, Frenkie de Jong</strong>, and&nbsp;<strong>Lewandowski</strong>&nbsp;provided the stability, while Yamal and&nbsp;<strong>Fermin Lopez</strong>&nbsp;brought the flair and fearlessness needed to unlock tight games. Flick’s tactical nous—centered on&nbsp;<strong>high pressing, swift transitions, and positional discipline</strong>—has laid a foundation for long-term success.</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="LA LIGA CHAMPIONS 2024/25 | This is how FC Barcelona celebrated the title | INSIDE VIEW 🔵🔴" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/InSHWHQ7PP8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



<h2>Lewandowski: Experience and elegance</h2>



<p>While the league may be abuzz with&nbsp;<strong>Kylian Mbappe’s impact at Real Madrid</strong>,&nbsp;<strong>Robert Lewandowski remains the Blaugrana’s talismanic figure up front</strong>. He may have suffered a dip in form following a hamstring injury and missed scoring in the final stretch of the season, but the&nbsp;<strong>Polish striker still ended with 40 goals in all competitions</strong>, tying with Mbappe.</p>



<p><strong>The Pole’s impact, however, goes beyond numbers.</strong>&nbsp;His positioning, aerial dominance, and veteran presence have been critical to Barcelona’s overall attacking cohesion. Though&nbsp;<strong>the French star statistically edges Lewandowski in passes, key passes, and set-piece conversion</strong>, the veteran’s role in mentoring Yamal and stabilizing the attack in Flick’s system is indisputable.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20250516_WST_569929_Robert-Lewandoski-2-1200x675_031b8495.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="Robert Lewandoski celebrates a goal" class="wp-image-568528" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/05/06141526/Robert-Lewandoski-2-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/05/06141526/Robert-Lewandoski-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/05/06141526/Robert-Lewandoski-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/05/06141526/Robert-Lewandoski-2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/05/06141526/Robert-Lewandoski-2-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/05/06141526/Robert-Lewandoski-2-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/05/06141526/Robert-Lewandoski-2-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/05/06141526/Robert-Lewandoski-2.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<h2>Robert Lewandowski trophies list 2025</h2>



<h3>Borussia Dortmund (2010–2014)</h3>



<ul><li class=""><strong>Bundesliga</strong>: 2010–11, 2011–12</li><li class=""><strong>DFB-Pokal</strong>: 2011–12</li><li class=""><strong>DFL-Supercup</strong>: 2013</li></ul>



<h3>Bayern Munich (2014–2022)</h3>



<ul><li class=""><strong>Bundesliga</strong>: 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22 (8 titles)</li><li class=""><strong>DFB-Pokal</strong>: 2015–16, 2018–19, 2019–20</li><li class=""><strong>DFL-Supercup</strong>: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021</li><li class=""><strong>UEFA Champions League</strong>: 2019–20</li><li class=""><strong>UEFA Super Cup</strong>: 2020</li><li class=""><strong>FIFA Club World Cup</strong>: 2020</li></ul>



<h3>Barcelona (2022–Present)</h3>



<ul><li><strong>La Liga</strong>: 2022–23, 2024–25</li><li><strong>Copa del Rey:</strong> 2024–25</li><li><strong>Supercopa de España</strong>: 2022–23, 2024–25</li></ul>



<h3>Poland National Team</h3>



<p>While Lewandowski has not won major international tournaments with Poland, he is the <strong>nation’s all-time leading scorer</strong> and has captained the team at multiple UEFA Euro and FIFA World Cup tournaments.</p>



<h3>Individual Honors (Selected)</h3>



<ul><li class=""><strong>The Best FIFA Men’s Player</strong>: 2020, 2021</li><li class=""><strong>UEFA Men’s Player of the Year</strong>: 2020</li><li class=""><strong>European Golden Shoe</strong>: 2020–21, 2021–22</li><li class=""><strong>Bundesliga Top Scorer</strong>: 7 times</li><li class=""><strong>La Liga Top Scorer (Pichichi Trophy)</strong>: 2022–23</li></ul>

Barcelona clinches La Liga glory leaving Real Madrid behind: How Robert Lewandowski’s trophy list continues to impress

Barcelona clinches La Liga glory leaving Real Madrid behind: How Robert Lewandowski’s trophy list continues to impress - World Soccer Talk

Barcelona win La Liga for 28th time: Robert Lewandowski trophies list


<p>The USA will not win the World Cup in 2022, unfortunately for American supporters. <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/news/mistakes-cost-young-us-eliminated-by-netherlands-in-world-cup-20221203-WST-411058.html">A 3-1 loss</a> at the hands of the Netherlands assured that much.</p>



<p>Of course, it was a young American team with just a handful of callbacks to the team that failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. For instance, the USMNT was the <a href="https:\/\/www.statista.com/statistics/1298094/average-player-age-national-teams-qatar-world-cup/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">second-youngest team</a> at this year’s World Cup. Only Ghana, which exited in the group stage, had a younger side.</p>



<p>Therefore, the likes of Tyler Adams, Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna and the other young starlets gained invaluable experience. That experience can come in handy in 2026. Then, these players will play a <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/05/10/how-many-countries-have-won-a-world-cup-on-home-turf/">World Cup on home soil</a>, a rare privilege for any player.</p>



<p>However, the question remains over whether or not the USA will ever win a World Cup. The signs for improvement in the squad are clear. The Stars and Stripes went toe to toe with England in the group stage, even if it was a draw. Plus, it got out of the group. That is something Germany, Belgium, Denmark and rivals Mexico cannot say.</p>



<p>At the same time, while the US shows progress, other, more soccer-centric nations, show as much, if not more, progress. <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/news/france-squad-isnt-as-deep-as-the-world-first-feared-20221203-WST-410911.html">France</a> and <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/news/england-releases-26-man-squad-for-world-cup-20221110-WST-407579.html">England</a> both fielded young squads at the 2018 World Cup. While France won, England finished fourth. The two sides poised to meet in the quarterfinals of 2022 are among the favorites and, yet again, each are in the top-10 youngest squads at this World Cup. </p>



<h2>Can the USA win a World Cup in our lifetime?</h2>



<p>Regardless, the potential and projections for this batch of American talent is something to celebrate. There are players at top clubs across Europe, and Major League Soccer continues to grow as it is.</p>



<p>Winning the World Cup is a tall task, particularly as only eight countries can say it won the competition in its history. On top of that, only nations from Europe and South America claim the honor. The farthest a North American team went was the United States, but that was before WWII when it finished third.</p>



<p>So, what say you? Can the USA actually win the World Cup in our lifetime? If so, what needs to happen for that dream to become a reality?</p>



<div style="background:#f9e4ea;padding:10px;">
<h3>Guide to World Cup 2022</h3>
<div style="padding:10px;">
Here are some resources to help you get the most out of the biggest event in soccer!
</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/"><strong>TV Schedule:</strong></a> All the info on <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/">where and when to watch</a> every game
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/04/analysis-of-world-cup-groups/"><strong>The Groups:</strong></a> We <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/04/analysis-of-world-cup-groups/">breakdown each group</a> and all the teams
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-jerseys-for-qatar-2022/"><strong>The Kits:</strong></a> Check out <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-jerseys-for-qatar-2022/">what every team will be wearing</a> on the field this fall
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/predictor/"><strong>Predictor:</strong></a> Play out every scenario with our <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/predictor/">World Cup Predictor</a>
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/05/world-cup-bracket-free-download/"><strong>World Cup Bracket:</strong></a> Map out the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/05/world-cup-bracket-free-download/">entire tournament</a>, from the groups to the final
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/"><strong>World Cup Hub:</strong></a> Your one stop for <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/">everything Qatar 2022</a>
</div>
</div>


Can the USA win a World Cup in our lifetime? It will not be this year, but there are signs for potential in the next several tournaments.

Will the USA ever win a World Cup in our lifetime? - World Soccer Talk

Will the USA ever win a World Cup in our lifetime?

<figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-371105 size-full" src="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/US-Open-Cup-Trophy.jpg" alt="US Open Cup broadcast potential" width="1200" height="675" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/02/US-Open-Cup-Trophy.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/02/US-Open-Cup-Trophy-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/02/US-Open-Cup-Trophy-600x338.jpg 600w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/02/US-Open-Cup-Trophy-150x84.jpg 150w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/02/US-Open-Cup-Trophy-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure>
<p>Starting in 2023, the US Soccer media broadcast rights are back in-house. As part of the Federation’s offer to broadcasters, US Soccer included the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. </p>
<p>This strategic decision features one of the oldest domestic cup competitions in the world. However, it is also among the most obscure.</p>
<p>This inclusion represents a significant pivot in the marketing of the Lamar Hunt Open Cup from the past. Then, US Soccer did very little promotion of the competition. Major League Soccer and Soccer United Marketing did not include the US Open Cup in its package. Rather, the bundle focused on the US Men’s and Women’s National Team rights. For many years, streams of early round Lamar Hunt Open Cup matches were few and far between.</p>
<p>Here is how the US Open Cup aligns in a potential media deal sought after by US Soccer.</p>
<h5>Lamar Hunt US Open Cup</h5>
<p>As the name indicates, the Lamar Hunt Open Cup is available to any applicant club in the United States. Each year, the tournament provides stories of of giant-killings by amateur clubs. Additionally, some lower-league professional sides make deep runs. </p>
<p>The winner of the Lamar Hunt Open Cup earns a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League. Therefore, in theory, the competition is a direct path to qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup. It is the most open and accessible soccer competition on the men’s side in the United States.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the Lamar Hunt Open Cup exists in obscurity outside a small niche. In terms of streaming and television, the competition’s coverage has been inconsistent. Awareness is minimal, even for soccer fans who love similar cup competitions in Europe. It’s a midweek competition that failed to find a niche except among a small number of “hipster” fans of the domestic game. </p>
<p>But, its potential seems unlimited particularly in a nation that loves straight knock-out competitions and playoffs. It also potentially could interest fans of European soccer, particularly those who revere the FA Cup and other domestic cup competitions.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>The US Open Cup in US Soccer’s media deal</h3>
<p>In our recent interview with US Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone, she revealed US Soccer’s next broadcast package includes the Lamar Hunt Open Cup. Currently, the Federation negotiates that deal with potential media partners.</p>
<p>The US Open Cup provides broadcast potential via an abundance of matches throughout the calendar year. The competition runs from March to September and qualifying begins in late September for the following year’s cup.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Broadcasters can get creative with how they use the Lamar Hunt Open Cup. Previously, wraparound shows on radio and podcasts go through all the action at once. Early round Lamar Hunt Open Cup nights are like final match days of top European leagues. Simultaneous kickoffs allow the US Open Cup broadcast potential for a ‘Premier League Goal Rush’-style whip-around program.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In the past, the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup rights were sold on a piecemeal basis. Fans had little advance notice of broadcast partners. Also, many matches did not air on neither TV nor streaming. In recent years, while more matches have been aired on <a href="https://go.web.plus.espn.com/mWebq" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">ESPN+</a>, the details of the package are murky. Furthermore, promotion of the competition has been negligible.&nbsp;</p>
<h5>Fans of tournament-style competitions</h5>
<p>The US Open Cup has broadcast potential similar to NCAA’s March Madness. Many college basketball fans do not watch the regular season. Regardless, millions fill out brackets and watch the tournament each year. The NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments are rapid, only lasting a month. Of course, the US Open Cup differs in that regard.</p>
<p>However, Americans fall in love with long, drawn-out playoffs in the NBA and NHL. There, over half the eligible teams qualify. The Lamar Hunt Open Cup potentially provides domestic soccer with its best chance to cut through the clutter of other sporting competitions.&nbsp;</p>
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<div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/worldsoccertalk" title="World Soccer Talk Podcast" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener">World Soccer Talk Podcast</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/worldsoccertalk/parity-in-mls-are-playoffs-the-best-way-to-crown-a-champion" title="Parity in MLS: Are playoffs the best way to crown a champion?" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener">Parity in MLS: Are playoffs the best way to crown a champion?</a></div>
<p>For its part, MLS values knock-out cup competitions. After all, the entire league hitched its wagon to a playoff system to determine a champion. Also, the enhanced <a href="https://www.leaguescup.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Leagues Cup</a> in 2023 competes with the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for attention. </p>
<p>Moreover, <a href="https://thecup.us/about-the-u-s-open-cup/">MLS clubs have won every Lamar Hunt US Open Cup</a> since 2000. Still, in each of those competitions, a lower-division club has made a deep run. Those clubs provide the ‘Cinderella stories’ that hook new fans.</p>
<h5>Incorporating the tournament into a broadcast rights deal</h5>
<p>US Soccer opting to include Lamar Hunt Open Cup in a larger media rights deal potentially gives the competition a larger window to where it can become more visible. The competition needs sponsorship dollars to enhance its profile, along with a consistent television or streaming presence, but the inclusion of it in a larger package can only help.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The potential of the Lamar Hunt Open Cup being part of a larger media rights deal is very encouraging. Perhaps finally this “sleeping giant” of a competition will get its day and grow in a fashion that’s fitting for such a historic cup in a nation where the sport continues to grow by leaps and bounds.</p>

How US Open Cup plays into US Soccer’s upcoming media deal

With US Soccer returning its media rights in-house, the US Open Cup provides great broadcast potential a potential media deal.

How US Open Cup plays into US Soccer's upcoming media deal - World Soccer Talk

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