LAREDO, TX (August 10, 2007) -- The PDL Champion Michigan Bucks arrived in Laredo, Texas Thursday to prepare for their title defense on Saturday night in a rematch of last year’s final with the Laredo Heat.  The Bucks jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first eight minutes last year behind goals from Kenny Uzoigwe and Ty Shipalane and then relied on their defense and MVP goalkeeper Steve Clark to win their first PDL Championship with a 2-1 victory before nearly 7,000 fans in the 107 degree heat.  This year the temperature should be down (slightly under 100) and the buzz around town is that the crowd could increase to over 10,000 fans from both sides of the border.  The Bucks will be starting seven of the same starters from last year’s final game and have a good idea what to expect from the Heat, both on the field and in the stands.

The Bucks will train Friday and then attend the PDL Championship banquet and press conference, where both teams will be formally introduced to the media.  Bucks owner Dan Duggan looks forward to the evening’s festivities, not only for the camaraderie of the two classy organizations, but to the announcement of the final PDL individual award of the season.  Friday night the United Soccer League (USL)  brass will announce the PDL Player of the Year.  "Today we saw the announcement of the three PDL awards given to the U19 player of the year, coach of the year and defender of the year; and all three  went to Hampton Roads team members," said Duggan.   "I can’t formally comment on the selections because we never saw them play.  But with their undefeated season, I voted for Jon Hall as coach of the year.  Friday night the league announces the Player of the Year and I will be very disappointed if Kenny (Uzoigwe) does not get that honor.  Kenny could care less about the individual recognition, but this team deserves to see their leader recognized;  we would not be defending champs or still be playing without him, and that is the optimum phrase -- we are one of two teams still playing."

Uzoigwe will be flying to Charleston to join the USL-1 Battery on Sunday to finish the First Division season with the pro team vying for a playoff spot.  Kenny jump started the Bucks in last year’s Championship Match by scoring a goal in the fourth minute to set the tone and keep the aggressive Laredo team on their heels early in the match.   The Bucks will train on Saturday morning as well before doing media interviews and final preparations for the game set for 8:30 PM local kickoff (9:30 EST).  The rematch will be shown at 11:00 EST on Fox Soccer Channel immediately following the MLS game of the week, featuring the Bucks MLS affiliate Columbus Crew.  The Bucks will return home to Detroit on Sunday evening and will go their separate ways as they depart for college on Monday to report to their respective team training camps, which open on August 15.  Bucks goalkeeper Steve Clark will attempt to finish his second season with the Bucks on an undefeated streak that dates back over 13 months.  Clark, who has not lost a PDL game since early last July, has an unbeaten streak of 21-0-4, including a record this year of 14-0-3 and has a goals against average of .70 per game.

For further information, please visit the Bucks web site at buckssoccer.com.