By Harold C. Ford
The Flint City Bucks men’s soccer club hosts its first match of the 2023 season at Atwood Stadium in downtown Flint on Saturday, May 27 starting at 7:30 p.m. Flint will take on Grand Rapids-based Midwest United FC (football club). A fireworks display will follow the match.
The Bucks opened the season on the road with a 2-0 win over Kalamazoo FC May 19 with goals from Josemir Gomez and Palmer Ault. The goals were assisted, respectively, by Malik Henry and Wylie Trujillo. Flint’s Dominic Nascimben earned the shutout in goal.
The Flint City AFC women’s soccer club will host AFC Ann Arbor at Atwood Stadium one night earlier on Friday, May 26, starting at 7 p.m.
Flint City AFC opened its season May 6 with a with a 5-1 win over Ann Arbor AFC. Two goals from Beth Gaetino, and single scores from Jenna Blackburn, Samantha Woods, and Justina Gaynor accounted for Flint’s five scores.
Flint City AFC drew twice with I-75 rival Detroit City FC on May 13 (0-0) and May 20 (2-2). An own goal and a score by Gaynor accounted for Flint’s two scores in the second meeting.
Flint City AFC’s second win of the season was by a 2-1 margin over Midwest United FC on May 17.
Flint City Bucks
Founded in 1995, the team began play as the Mid-Michigan Bucks based in Saginaw. In 1996, the team changed its name to Michigan Bucks, moved to Plymouth in 2004, then to Pontiac in 2008. They began play as the Flint City Bucks in May 2019.
The Bucks are piloted by first-year head coach Paul Doroh who takes over from Andy Wagstaff. Wagstaff has transitioned to Advisor to Director of Coaching and Recruiting. Doroh is supported on the field by Rajko Jovanovich, goalkeeping coach.
Flint City Bucks home schedule
- May 27; vs. Midwest United; 7:30 p.m.
- May 31; vs. Lansing City FC; 11 a.m.
- June 24; vs. Oakland County FC; 7 p.m.
- July 1; vs. South Bend Lions; 7 p.m.
- July 8; vs. AFC Ann Arbor; 7 p.m.
- July 15; vs. Kalamazoo FC; 7 p.m.
Flint City AFC
Flint City AFC is only in its second season after a two-win inaugural campaign in 2022.
First-year Flint City AFC coach Michelle Krzisnik has made multiple roster changes from last year’s squad. The changes seem to be paying off. Flint’s eight points (three points for each of the two wins, one point for each of the two ties) leads the Great Lakes Division along with Kalamazoo FC.
“We’ve had a good start to the season,” said Krzisnik, “and we’ll just continue to get better.”
Flint City AFC home schedule
Flint City AFC plays their home contests at Atwood Stadium in downtown Flint. Remaining home games include:
- May 26; vs. AFC Ann Arbor; 7 p.m.
- June 2; vs. Midwest United FC; 7 p.m.
- June 11; vs. Kalamazoo FC; 5 p.m.
- June 23; vs. Cleveland FC; 7 p.m.
- June 30; vs. Midwest United; 7 p.m.
USL2 Men’s League overview
The United States League Two (USL2) men’s league includes 113 teams in four conferences that are divided into 16 divisions.
USL2 describes itself as “the leader in pre-professional soccer in North America (providing) pre-professional players the opportunity to train and compete at the highest level while maintaining their collegiate eligibility.”
The league is stocked with collegiate players; 66 percent of USL2 players attend Division 1 schools; 68 percent are domestic players. The average age of a USL2 footballer is 21.2 years.
The USL2 regular season takes place from May to mid-July. Each team plays a 14-match schedule against divisional opponents, seven at home and seven away.
USL W Women’s League overview
The USL W is a pre-professional women’s soccer league that began play in May 2022.
Flint City AFC is one of six teams in the USL W’s Great Lakes Division that includes teams from Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Cleveland OH. The 2023 USL W includes 59 teams spread over nine divisions.
EVM Sports Beat reporter Harold Ford can be reached at hcford1185@gmail.com.
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