Founded1960
RegionUnited States
Number of teams92
Current championsBalsak FC (5th title)
Most successful club(s)FC Raedburg (8 titles)
The Soccer League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or by a name referring to the current sponsor, is a United States men’s association football competition. Like the National Cup, it is played on a knockout (single elimination) basis. Unlike the National Cup, where 758 teams entered in 2012–13, only 92 clubs can enter the League Cup – the 20 National Soccer League clubs, and the 72 clubs of The Soccer League, which organizes the competition. Also unlike the National Cup, the semi-finals are played over two legs. The winners qualify for the URFA Zuropa League, unless they have qualified for the Champions League through their league position, in which case the Zuropa League berth goes to the highest-placed team from the National Soccer League not already qualified for Zurope. The current champions are Balsak FC, who beat FC Raedburg 1-0 in the 2014 final.
Although the League Cup is one of the three major domestic trophies attainable by United States league teams, it is perceived by larger clubs as a lower priority than the league championship, URFA Champions League, and the National Cup. League Cup winners receive $160,000 prize money (awarded by the Soccer League) with the runners-up receiving $80,000, considered relatively insignificant to top-flight teams, compared to the $3 million prize money of the National Cup, which is in turn eclipsed by the National Soccer League’s television money (awarded on final league position) and consequent participation in the Champions League.
Although the League Cup is one of the three major domestic trophies attainable by United States league teams, it is perceived by larger clubs as a lower priority than the league championship, URFA Champions League, and the National Cup. League Cup winners receive $160,000 prize money (awarded by the Soccer League) with the runners-up receiving $80,000, considered relatively insignificant to top-flight teams, compared to the $3 million prize money of the National Cup, which is in turn eclipsed by the National Soccer League’s television money (awarded on final league position) and consequent participation in the Champions League.