Bucks have signed midfielder Ryko Bodurov for the upcoming U.S. Open Cup (March 19) and the USL League Two season, pending league and federation approval.
Bodurov will be on the eighteen man roster for Flint City’s first-round match against Forward Madison FC in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The Bucks will kick off the 111th annual tournament at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at Don Batchelor Stadium, in Grand Blanc. Open Cup Ticket Link: https://tickets.uslleaguetwo.com/events/flint-city-bucks-us-open-cup-1
Bodurov secured a starting spot at Bowling Green State University toward the end of his sophomore season. He led the team with three assists in under 1,000 minutes. He was also named to the Missouri Valley Conference scholar-athlete team.
Recruited as an attacking midfielder with the ability to play up front, Bodurov was an impact freshman for the Falcons, tallying three goals and two assists. Most of his contributions came during Bowling Green’s MVC Tournament run, which ended in overtime of the championship.
The native of Columbus, Ohio, brings USL2 experience, having played in summer 2025 with Kings Hammer FC Columbus of the Valley Division.
Before college, he played with the Columbus Crew academy program in MLS Next. As a senior at Olentangy Berlin High School, Bodurov amassed 22 goals and seven assists. He was the Ohio Capital Conference Player of the Year, on top of being named to the United Soccer Coaches first-team all-conference and all-district teams, as well as the all-state first team.
Attention 2026 Season Ticket Holders: Your complimentary Open Cup tickets will be ready for pick up starting this Friday (February 27) at Flint Prints in the Ferris Wheel Building, 615 S. Saginaw Street in downtown Flint.
U.S. OPEN CUP comes to Grand Blanc, March 19th
US Soccer recently announced that the Flint City Bucks will host professional club Forward Madison FC (USL League One) in the first round of the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in downtown Grand Blanc.
The match will be played at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at Don Batchelor Stadium, a stunning 6,000-seat multipurpose venue opened in 2023 by Grand Blanc Community Schools. U.S. Soccer drew initial pairings today for the 111th edition of the nation’s oldest and more prestigious soccer competition, dating to 1914. The single-elimination tournament includes teams from all professional levels.
Tickets for the March 19 match are included in all Bucks and Flint City AFC season-ticket packages and are on sale today to the general public via the following link:
https://app.gopassage.com/events/flint-city-bucks-us-open-cup-1
The Bucks accepted an Open Cup invitation for the first time since rehoming to Genesee County in 2019. Flint City earned one of USL League Two’s nine automatic bids for 2025 — bypassing five open-division qualifying rounds — by winning the Great Lakes Division with a 9-3-0 record.
Bucks 2026 Season Tickets are available here: https://forms.gle/n4iimksHAyzQz19M6
Press Quotes for US Open Cup Match awarded to Genesee County
Trevor Alward, superintendent of Grand Blanc Community Schools commented, “GBCS is proud to support hosting the prestigious Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Don Batchelor Field. This is a tremendous opportunity to showcase our community and the greater Genesee County area to the world. Our Grand Blanc soccer program has a rich tradition for both our girls and boys teams, and to host a professional U.S. Soccer sponsored Open Cup game reinforces our district’s ‘Tradition of Excellence.’ We are happy to partner with the Flint City Bucks as they continue to support youth soccer initiatives in our community through their clinics and work with our young athletes. Grand Blanc will be ready to welcome the world to Bobcat Country in March!”
Forward Madison played its inaugural season in 2019, becoming a founding member of the fully professional USL League One. The side has since played in five consecutive Open Cups, winning all five of its first-round matches and twice advancing to the third round to compete against MLS clubs.
This year’s Open Cup will feature 32 semi-professional and amateur (Open Division) teams, each facing full professional sides in the opening round. Professional teams come from the second-tier USL Championship, as well as third-tier USL1 and MLS NEXT Pro. The furthest-advancing Open Division team will earn $50,000 in prize money and automatic qualification to the 2027 tournament.
Each team that wins two knockout matches and advances to the third round will earn the chance to face one of 16 teams entering from first-division Major League Soccer. The second round will take place March 31 and April 1, and the third round will take place April 14 or 15.
The Bucks have applied to host all Open Cup matches, with later-round games possible at the club’s usual home: Kettering University’s iconic Atwood Stadium in downtown Flint.
Bucks bring historic Open Cup resume
The Bucks are among the most decorated semi-professional teams in Open Cup history. Since their founding in 1997 as the Mid-Michigan Bucks, they’ve made 15 appearances and contested 30 matches, including 22 on home turf. The club has a record 10 wins over professional opponents in the tournament — including two of the most iconic upsets in Open Cup history.
In 2000, they became the first team from the Premier Development League (now USL League Two) to defeat an MLS opponent, stunning New England Revolution 1–0 at Foxboro Stadium. In 2012, as the Michigan Bucks, they defeated Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire — themselves a four-time Open Cup champion — 3-2 in extra time at Pontiac’s Ultimate Soccer Arenas. With that victory, the Bucks became the first semi-pro team in the modern era to defeat multiple MLS sides.
Additional Open Cup Press Quotes
Leigh LaForest, president and CEO of the Grand Blanc Chamber of Commerce: “I am thrilled to welcome the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup to the Grand Blanc community. Hosting the Bucks on our home turf is an extraordinary opportunity that brings excitement, pride, and an economic impact to our local businesses. This event will shine a spotlight on Grand Blanc and Genesee County, and we’re honored to play a role in supporting an experience that elevates our entire region.”
John Creasey, mayor of Grand Blanc: “Hosting the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is not only a tremendous opportunity for the city of Grand Blanc but for our community as a whole, as well as the greater Genesee County area. Hosting the Open Cup is a fantastic way for our nation and the world to focus on the many positive aspects our community has to offer. Personally, I’m excited.”
Amari Steward, executive director of Explore Flint & Genesee: “We are truly grateful to the Flint City Bucks and other community partners for helping secure an event like this in Flint & Genesee. With a collaborative spirit, Explore Flint & Genesee is honored to help welcome the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup to Genesee County.”
James Avery, Genesee County commissioner: “Hosting an event of such magnitude as the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup will have a tremendous impact for Grand Blanc along with all of Genesee County. This will give great recognition of Grand Blanc Schools’ history of successful soccer programs for our youth, and it will surely be a welcoming economic blessing for our community if the Bucks are fortunate enough to win the host bid.”
About the Flint City Bucks
The Flint City Bucks have reached the USL League Two postseason in six consecutive seasons—every year calling Atwood Stadium home. In club history, the Bucks have 26 playoff appearances in 29 chances, four league national titles (including 2019), 12 conference championships (2025), and 17 division crowns (2025). Since their founding in 1996, the Bucks have never had a losing season.
2026 season tickets: On sale now!
One ticket, two teams, all summer long. Season-ticket holders for 2026 will receive admission to every single home match for both the Flint City Bucks (men) and Flint City AFC (women). You’ll be set for any friendlies (international and otherwise) and tournament games (including U.S. Open Cup and league playoffs). Packages start at just $125 for adults and $75 for youth ages 17 and younger.
Use this form to order or renew your season tickets today!
Flint City matchday: What to expect
Flint City matches are fun, affordable, and family-friendly—showcasing some of the best semi-professional soccer talent in the country. Flint, Michigan, is widely recognized as a destination for top NCAA players looking to join MLS, NWSL, and professional leagues worldwide. The Bucks attract top prospects from almost every continent, with more than a dozen countries represented on a typical roster.
Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium is a historic gem of a stadium—worth the price of admission on its own. Game nights feature an energized, outdoor, under-the-lights soccer experience alongside a festival-like environment for all to enjoy. Kids are always welcome to have fun on the pitch at halftime and meet and greet the players post-game for autographs and pictures. Join us today and don’t miss out on elite men’s and women’s semi-professional matches right here in beautiful downtown Flint.
Key dates: A summer to remember in 2026
Another exciting summer of men’s and women’s semi-professional soccer is coming to Atwood Stadium. Flint City AFC will open its home schedule Saturday, May 16, followed by Flint City Bucks opening night Saturday, May 30. We are hosting the Open Cup first round Thursday, March 19, at Don Batchelor Stadium in downtown Grand Blanc. Our seventh annual School Day Game will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 20. Stay tuned over the coming weeks as full league schedules are announced.
