CITY's options for CCC qualification and who to root for tonight
For those curious (like I was), here are CITY's options to qualify for the CONCACAF Champion's Cup through the Open Cup:
As a disclaimer, this is all based off the qualification for this year's competition, and it is all subject to change if CONCACAF wants to change the criteria to let in certain teams over others.
Win the Open Cup
Be the runner up in the Open Cup while the winner qualifies through a different path.
*If both the winner and runner up of the Open Cup qualify through other means, the slot for the US goes to the next best team in MLS standings
CITY will play either San Jose or Colorado in the next round and have to win to have any chance. This is a little unfortunate because San Jose has the best chance of any team left in qualifying through a different path (season standings), so the best hypothetical situation would be to face them in the final. But Colorado is the weakest team on paper, so it could end up being a positive if they beat San Jose.
So if CITY makes it to the final, they will play either Orlando, Columbus, or NYCFC. All 3 teams are playing in the Leagues Cup, and a top 3 finish in this competition takes first precedence for CCC qualification.
MLS Cup champion is next in the qualification hierarchy, and is also the next most likely option for 1 of the 3 teams to qualify. NYCFC is the only team currently in a playoff position, but Orlando is also close. It is unlikely that any team will qualify through the MLS season standings.
tl;dr Root for Colorado and NYCFC in the games tonight, as them winning will increase the chances of CITY qualifying for the CCC (though very slightly and it's still better for CITY to just win it all).