Pontiac, MI (June 11, 2010)- The Michigan Bucks return to Premier Development League (PDL) action on Saturday evening following the afternoon World Cup match between the US and England. This weekend the Bucks look for revenge against FC London, the first year team that knocked them out of the playoffs last season on the final game of the year. Kickoff for Saturday night’s match has been moved back to 8:30 PM (from the normal start time of 7:30) to accommodate all the local youth clubs that use this day for next season’s tryouts. The Bucks went into London at the end of last season needing a win to keep their playoff run alive, but the home team held the offensive struggling Bucks to a 0-0 draw and took the last playoff spot in the United Soccer League’s PDL Great Lakes Division. Michigan is currently sitting in second place with a record of 4-2 (12 points) on the season, a point behind division leading Chicago. London comes into the weekend’s matches with an undefeated 3-0 (9 points) record, but will visit Cleveland on Friday night before playing in Pontiac on Saturday.
Bucks first year head coach Gary Parsons is looking forward to the challenge that London provides for the Bucks this season. “We saw some of what they have to offer a couple of weeks ago when they came here to play a pre-season friendly. Both teams will look a bit different than they did that day, but we know their team will be hard working and physical. They have talented players on all parts of the field, so we will have to come out strong to get the upper hand,” said Parsons. Starting strong has been the Bucks claim to fame so far this season, but finishing goals early has been a struggle. “We have averaged over 10 shots per game in the first half alone this season,” added Parsons. “So getting jump started has not been an issue. We do need to start finishing chances in the first 20 minutes to put the pressure on our opponents.”
Tickets for Saturday’s match are $10 Adults and $7 Youth (under 16). Children 5 and under are always free to Bucks home games. Tickets can be purchased on line through Ticketmaster or at the box office at Ultimate Soccer Arenas. Ultimate Soccer will be showing all World Cup games throughout the tournament and has food and drink specials all day Saturday to celebrate the beginning of the US team’s quest to advance to the second round of the FIFA 2010 World Cup South Africa.
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