Michigan Bucks

BUCKS READY FOR SEASON OPENER

US Open Cup Qualifying begins Saturday at Ultimate Soccer

Pontiac, MI (May 16, 2008)- After two weeks of preseason training camp, the Michigan Bucks are ready to open their thirteenth season in the United Soccer League’s Premier Development League (PDL). The Bucks hold several PDL records, including most wins, most playoff wins, most playoff appearances (11 in the first 12 years) just to name a few. But those who follow the Bucks know that the record they cherish most is their unprecedented success in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup tournament. The Open Cup is the nation’s oldest tournament that allows all amateur and professional teams to compete against each other until a champion takes home the $100,000 prize from US Soccer. The Bucks were the first PDL team to ever defeat a team from Major League Soccer (2000 vs. New England Revolution) and have advanced an astounding six times to compete against the nation’s top tier of professional soccer. With a record of 1-4-1 all time against MLS teams in the Cup, the amateur status team based out of Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac is geared to make another run at the coveted cup this spring. Michigan opens its 2008 regular season schedule with four games that double as league matches and Open Cup qualifying. The two teams with the best record from the 15 team Central Conference will advance to Round One of the 2008 Open Cup that begins on Tuesday, June 10. The Bucks open at home against an unfamiliar foe new to the conference this year in the West Virginia Chaos on Saturday night at Ultimate Soccer Arenas (kickoff 7:30 PM). They then travel to Grand Rapids to take on the West Michigan Edge Wednesday before returning home to play the Ft. Wayne Fever as part of the Canton Cup Soccer Tournament Saturday, May 24 (4:00 PM kickoff). The fourth and final game of Cup qualifying will be on Memorial Day, Monday May 26 at the Cleveland Internationals.

Although the Bucks will return most of their starters from last season’s loss in the PDL championship game, there is a talented mix of newcomers that are about to find out how important starting the season on a high note is in Detroit.

“We will make sure that every player that Coach Fitzgerald selects to this year’s squad fully understands the goal here. First and foremost is to win and go undefeated the first four games (something the Bucks have been able to do in each of the past several seasons) to make sure we are one of the select few that make the Open Cup tournament,” said Bucks Chairman/CEO Dan Duggan. “The importance of getting off to a fast start is great for the league standings but more importantly, if these kids are going to get a shot at playing against an MLS team this season then this is the pathway to that success. We have been able to drive that point home to most of our previous teams, which explains the level of success we’ve had over the years. I suspect the leadership of this year’s team will help the rookies get the message beginning with game one tomorrow night.”

Fitzgerald begins his third season as the Bucks head coach (after three seasons as an assistant) and he has had great success in his tenure at the helm. The Bucks have qualified for the Open Cup and played in the PDL championship game in both of his first two seasons.

“Our philosophy will not change this year from the past two seasons,” said Fitz from his Pontiac office. “We will come out fast and play an attractive style of Bucks soccer that should give us many offensive chances to score, but more importantly won’t leave us open to dangerous counter attacks on defense. As with all teams, there will be some nerves to work out on opening night. If we can get an early goal against the Chaos it will help settle everyone in. Having said that, West Virginia knows they are coming in here and probably don’t want to get into a shootout with us, so I suspect they will play a very tight defensive game.”

Tickets for Saturday’s opener at the Bucks 2008 home at Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac are available at the door or through Ticket Master. Tickets are $14 VIP reserved midfield seating or $10 Adults and $5 Youth (under 16) for general seating. Doors to the Bucks stadium will open at 6:00 on Saturday for the Bucks initial regular season home match at the phenomenal $17M complex on South Blvd and Opdkye (1 mile south of the Silverdome). For further information about the Bucks schedule, tickets or directions to Ultimate Soccer Arenas, please visit our web site at www.buckssoccer.com.