This page describes the qualification procedure for the 2008 U.S. Open Cup. This was the first season where 8 teams from each level of the American Soccer Pyramid competed in the tournament proper. As a result, each level trimmed its ranks to its 8 team delegation before entering the full tournament.
All American-based USL-1 teams qualify.
Harrisburg City Islanders (2007 USL-2 champions) and Richmond Kickers (2007 USL-2 Regular Season Champions) qualified based on their end of season performance in 2007.
Early season USL-2 games doubled as Open Cup qualification. Because teams played an uneven number of games the percentage of "Points per Points Possible" was used to rank the teams. All but the bottom-ranked team qualified for the tournament proper.
Green indicates Open Cup berth clinched
Standings as of May 26.
Each conference has its own qualification process.
All teams play 4 designated regular season games that double as Open Cup qualification<br> Green indicates Open Cup berth clinched
Top two teams qualify
<nowiki>*</nowiki>maximum goal differential of +/- 3 per game<br> Standings as of May 26.
Top two teams qualify
<nowiki>*</nowiki>maximum goal differential of +/- 3 per game<br> Standings as of May 26.
Top team in each division qualifies
<nowiki>*</nowiki>maximum goal differential of +/- 3 per game<br> Standings as of May 26.
<nowiki>*</nowiki>maximum goal differential of +/- 3 per game<br> Standings as of May 26.
Top team in each division qualifies
<nowiki>*</nowiki>maximum goal differential of +/- 3 per game<br> Standings as of May 26.
<nowiki>*</nowiki>maximum goal differential of +/- 3 per game<br> Standings as of May 26.
Group winners qualify<br> All times in Eastern Daylight Time
Green indicates Open Cup berth clinched
Group A
Group B
Group winners qualify<br> All times in Eastern Daylight Time
Green indicates Open Cup berth clinched
Group A
Group B