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New information was added to this story at noon on Tuesday.
The fourth round of the US Open Cup will witness a showdown between Detroit City FC and Louisville FC, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
The USL Championship teams are scheduled to have three meetings, with additional matches on Aug. 20 and Oct. 5. Michigan online sports bettors can place wagers on these two upcoming games as well.
Unfortunately, Tuesday night didn’t turn out to be as lucky as hoped.
The reason behind it could simply be a miscommunication.
US Open Cup not in the MGCB’s Sports Wagering Catalog
Although the US Open Cup showcases teams from the USL and MLS, it is considered a distinct competition from both leagues. Surprisingly, it does not appear on the list of approved competitions in the sports wagering catalog of the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
According to Paul Chopin, the sportsbook director at DraftKings and Golden Nugget Online Gaming, the US Open Cup is not included in their wagering catalog because it does not meet compliance standards. As a result, customers at Golden Nugget Sportsbook MI, which is partnered with Detroit City FC, cannot place bets on the Open Cup.
No other online sportsbook in Michigan is accepting bets on the game, so they are not alone.
In an email to Playinmichigan, Mary Kay Bean, the Communications Specialist at MGCB, stated that separate approval was not required for the US Open Cup.
The catalog includes MLS and USL Championship as the top two divisions competing in the tournament. Additionally, MLS Next, National Independent Soccer Association, USL League One, and even local open division qualifiers are included in the initial lineup.
Lansdowne Yonkers FC, the reigning champion of the U.S. Adult Soccer Association National Amateur Cup, was also part of the event last year.
The MGCB does not approve any of those leagues for wagering.
Isn’t this like the FA Cup?
Similar to the FA Cup in England, the US Open Cup stands as our nation’s equivalent tournament. This Saturday, the final match will take place at Wembley Stadium, where Liverpool and Chelsea will go head-to-head.
Teams from all levels of England’s football association, including the Premiere League and Level 10, participate in the FA Cup, competing against each other.
The MGCB has given its approval for betting on four English leagues: the Premier League, English Championship, English Football League One, and English Football League Two. Additionally, the FA Cup has also been approved, allowing you to place a bet on Liverpool winning their second trophy of the season this Saturday, should you wish to do so.
How to watch Detroit City FC vs. Louisville FC
Despite the absence of available markets for the match, the night at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck is expected to be thrilling. Le Rouge currently holds the third position in the USL Championship standings, trailing league leader Louisville by seven points.
The game can be streamed on ESPN+ at 7:30 p.m. when kickoff is scheduled.
After suffering a 3-1 defeat against FC Tulsa in their recent league match, DCFC remains undefeated when playing at home. Their impressive record includes a notable 2-1 victory against the Columbus Crew in the US Open Cup’s third round on April 19th.
This season, Louisville has remained undefeated, securing a spot in the fourth round of the US Open Cup following a thrilling shootout win against St. Louis II. Despite a goalless draw, Louisville emerged victorious, triumphing 9-8 in the penalty shootout.
