This story was updated at noon on Tuesday, with new information.
Detroit City FC and Louisville FC will clash at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the fourth round of the US Open Cup.
It’s the first of three meetings between the USL Championship teams, as they’ll also play on Aug. 20 and Oct. 5. Michigan online sports bettors will be able to place a wager on those two games.
Tuesday night, though? No such luck.
As for why, it may just be a miscommunication.
US Open Cup not in the MGCB’s Sports Wagering Catalog
The US Open Cup is a separate competition than the USL or the MLS. Despite the fact the competition heavily features teams from those leagues, it’s not listed among the approved competitions on the Michigan Gaming Control Board’s sports wagering catalog.
Paul Chopin, sportsbook director at DraftKings and Golden Nugget Online Gaming, said the exclusion of the US Open Cup from the wagering catalog “suggests that the Open Cup is not compliant.” Therefore, it’s not available at Golden Nugget Sportsbook MI, which has a partnership with Detroit City FC.
They’re not alone, as no other Michigan online sportsbook is taking wagers on the game.
MGCB Communications Specialist Mary Kay Bean said in an email to Playinmichigan, however, that the US Open Cup did not need separate approval.
MLS and USL Championship are in the catalog, but they’re the top two divisions participating in the tournament. MLS Next, National Independent Soccer Association, USL League One and even local open division qualifiers are entered into the original field.
Last year’s U.S. Adult Soccer Association National Amateur Cup champion, Lansdowne Yonkers FC, was also involved.
None of those leagues are approved for wagering by the MGCB.
Isn’t this like the FA Cup?
The US Open Cup is our country’s version of the FA Cup, a historic competition in England. Its final is Saturday, when Liverpool plays Chelsea at Wembley Stadium.
In the FA Cup, teams throughout England’s football association — from the Premiere League to Level 10 — compete with one another.
Four English leagues are approved for wagering by the MGCB: Premier League, English Championship, English Football League One and English Football League Two. But the FA Cup is also approved, meaning you can make a bet on Liverpool to win its second trophy of the season Saturday, if you so choose.
How to watch Detroit City FC vs. Louisville FC
While there are no markets currently available for the match, it still figures to be an exciting night at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck. Le Rouge sit third in the USL Championship standings, seven points behind league leader Louisville.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., and the game can be streamed on ESPN+.
DCFC is coming off a 3-1 league loss against FC Tulsa this past Saturday, but is unbeaten at home. That includes a 2-1 win against the Columbus Crew in the third round of the US Open Cup on April 19.
Louisville is unbeaten overall this season, and advanced to the fourth round of the US Open Cup with a shootout victory against St. Louis II. After a scoreless draw, Louisville won 9-8 on penalties.
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