THE FOLLOWING IS A STAEMENT FROM REPRESENTIVES OF THE SOCCER TEAM
Flint City Bucks win USL2 Central Conference title
The Bucks won a 12th Central Conference Championship and 17th Great Lakes Division Title, reaching the USL League Two national semifinal for the fourth time in the Flint era. The Bucks went 9-3-0 in regular-season play, qualifying for the playoffs for the sixth time in a row—every season so far in Flint. In club history, the Bucks now have 26 postseason appearances in 29 chances. We continue to pursue our fifth national title since 2019.
Flint City AFC off to winning start in United Women’s Soccer
Our women’s side, Flint City AFC, spent its fourth season as a debutant in United Women’s Soccer (UWS), a national pro-am league founded in 2015. Flint City went 4-2-2 in Great Lakes Conference play, narrowly missing out on the playoffs. Outscoring opponents 21-6, the side led the conference in goal differential by a wide margin.
Community impact in Genesee County and beyond
Alongside our generous community partners, Flint City used the beautiful game to benefit many worthwhile causes in 2025. Our friends in Section 11 translated June goals into more than $1,000 for Wellness Services and Flint Pride. We hosted Military Appreciation Night—complete with a Veterans Resource Rally and jersey auction for Wreaths Across America—and a similar Hurley Foundation / Children’s Miracle Network Night. Our annual School Day game saw another lively and wholesome experience for thousands of lifelong Bucks fans. Bucks players coached the up and coming youth players at FlintStyle Soccer and we hosted more free youth clinics at Atwood and Don Batchelor stadiums. That’s just scratching the surface of the ways we partnered to connect and give back this past season. We were also proudly nominated by the Flint and Genesee Group as 2025 “Attraction of the Year” across Genesee County.
Donavan “Gusto” Phillip has banner year
Saint Lucian striker Donavan “Gusto” Phillip delivered one of the most dominant individual seasons in club history, winning USL2 Golden Boot and Player of the Year honors after scoring 12 regular-season goals and adding five more in the playoffs. Gusto carried that momentum into the fall, where he emerged as the NCAA’s leading scorer at NC State. He starred in the Wolfpack’s run to the NCAA College Cup final, earned ACC Offensive Player of the Year honors, was named an NCAA First Team All-American, and remains one of three MAC Hermann Trophy finalists—college soccer’s Heisman Trophy equivalent. (Award will be announced on January 9th at the St. Louis, MO Athletic Club)
Flint City alumni dominate NCAA landscape
Phillip was far from alone in massively impacting the college game. Palmer Ault had 16 goals and 10 assists for Indiana University and was also a MAC Hermann semifinalist. Nine total Bucks were named to Division I regional teams by United Soccer Coaches. Meanwhile, 10 AFC players qualified for the NCAA Tournament. That total includes junior forward Olivia Thomas and sophomore defender Bella Gaetino—national champions in 2024—who each continued to play massive roles at powerhouse University of North Carolina.
Pathway to pro—and to the U.S. men’s national team
2025 reiterated Flint City’s role in the U.S. Soccer development pathway, as we saw collegiate success translate into professional and international opportunities. The Bucks extended their streak of producing MLS SuperDraft selections for an unmatched 26th consecutive year, with Nolan Miller and Schinieder Mimy hearing their names called. Jason Shokalook signed a first-team MLS contract, and Emeka Eneli became just the second Bucks alumnus ever to play for the U.S. senior men’s national team. Flint City AFC defender Grace Phillpotts signed her first pro contract with Brooklyn FC of the USL Super League, and attacker Micayla Johnson joined Chicago Stars FC of the NWSL on a multi-year professional deal.
International soccer returns to Flint with historic friendly
Global soccer returned to Atwood, as Flint City hosted Liga MX powerhouse Atlas FC for the club’s second exhibition game against international competition. The match drew thousands from across the region in a multicultural celebration that highlighted the worldwide reach of our sport and Flint’s readiness for global events. We remain committed to building up the local soccer community and bringing unique experiences to Genesee County. The event featured authentic Latin American cuisine and the region’s top mariachi band courtesy of LatinX, the Flint Social Club (Chef, Tony Vu) and El Ballet Folklorico.
U.S. Open Cup qualification—and historic acceptance
The Bucks will return to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2026 after accepting qualification for the first time since rehoming to Flint. The Open Cup—U.S. Soccer’s oldest competition, dating to 1914—is a single-elimination tournament featuring clubs from all levels across the country. The Bucks are among the most decorated giant-killers in Open Cup history. In 15 appearances since 1997, we have a record 10 wins over professional opponents—including landmark upsets of MLS sides New England Revolution in 2000 and Chicago Fire in 2012.
Building the future with Michigan Bucks Academy
Player development remains at the heart of everything we do, and 2025 brought meaningful progress on that front. Through our affiliation with Michigan Bucks Academy, Flint City strengthened its role in Michigan’s youth soccer ecosystem while supporting the academy’s launch into the second tier of MLS NEXT. This partnership reinforces a clear pathway from youth soccer to college, semi-professional, and professional opportunities.
Key dates: More excitement on the horizon 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 Bucks opening night Saturday, May 30. We’ve bid to host the Open Cup first round, with a likely date of Wednesday, March 18, at Don Batchelor Stadium in downtown Grand Blanc. (Atwood Stadium remains winterized until early April) Our seventh annual School Day Game will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 20—a friendly vs. Detroit Metro FC. Stay tuned over the coming weeks as full league schedules are announced.
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. Order or renew your season tickets today!
What to expect at a Flint City match
Flint City matches are fun, affordable, and family-friendly—showcasing some of the best semi-professional soccer talent in the United States. Flint, Michigan, is widely recognized as a destination for top NCAA soccer 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.
Bucks in 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Entering its 111th edition, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup has crowned U.S. Soccer’s national champion since 1914. The history-filled knockout tournament is open to professional and amateur or semi-professional teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer. The 2025 winner will earn a berth in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup and have its name engraved on the Dewar Challenge Trophy—one of the oldest nationally contested trophies in American team sports. The 2025 tournament features a total purse worth $1 million.
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