In the past, winners of the MLS Cup, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and the Supporters’ Shield went to the CCL. To meet this year’s requirement for four qualifiers, organizers simplified the process, as explained by Sports Illustrated’s Brian Straus:
Straus on CCL qualifying: So the 2019 CCL qualifiers from the USA will be the 2017 and 2018 MLS Cup champions and the 2017 and 2018 Open Cup champions. In short, the league and cup winners will go. MLS and the USSF intend to return to the old qualifying format in 2019.