Michigan Bucks - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Michigan Bucks is an American soccer team based in Pontiac, Michigan

Pontiac, Michigan

Pontiac is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan named after the Ottawa Chief Pontiac, located within the Detroit metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 59,515. It is the county seat of Oakland County...

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

. Founded in 1995, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League

USL Premier Development League

The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...

(PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid

American Soccer Pyramid

The United States soccer pyramid is a term used in soccer to describe the structure of the league system in the United States. The country's governing body for the sport, the United States Soccer Federation , oversees the system but does not operate any of its component leagues—with one temporary...

, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.

The team plays its home games at the soccer-specific Ultimate Soccer Arenas, where they have played since 2008, and are one of the few teams to play regularly on a full-size indoor soccer field. The team's colors are white, dark green and black.

Throughout their existence, the Bucks have been one of the most successful minor league

Minor league

Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...

soccer

Football (soccer)

Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...

teams in the United States, qualifying for seven US Open Cups

Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a knockout tournament in American soccer. The tournament is the oldest ongoing American soccer competition and is presently open to all United States Soccer Federation affiliated teams, from amateur adult club teams to the professional clubs of Major League...

, winning six divisional championships, and a national title. In 2000 the Bucks became the first PDL team to defeat an MLS team in the US Open Cup when they beat the New England Revolution

New England Revolution

The New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...

at Foxboro Stadium

Foxboro Stadium

Foxboro Stadium was an outdoor stadium, located in Foxborough, Massachusetts...

. They won their first PDL Championship in 2006, defeating the Laredo Heat

Laredo Heat

Laredo Heat is an American soccer team based in Laredo, Texas, United States. Founded in 2004, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid South Division of the Southern Conference....

2-1.

On April 8, 2006 the Bucks became an official minor league affiliate of Major League Soccer

Major League Soccer

Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...

's Columbus Crew

Columbus Crew

The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...

, and announced a partnership which allows Bucks players to go on training stints with the Crew, as well as having the MLS side annually come to the Detroit area to play a friendly with their sister team.

Until the 2003 season, they were known as the Mid Michigan Bucks.

History

The Bucks organization entered the competitive soccer landscape in 1996, competing in the USISL Premier League

USL Premier Development League

The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...

. Almost immediately, the Mid-Michigan Bucks were a competitive outfit. They finished third in the Central Northern division in their debut year, making it all the way to the final Premier Six tournament, and despite being beaten by the San Francisco Bay Seals

San Francisco Bay Seals

San Francisco Seals was an American soccer team based in San Francisco, California, United States. Founded in 1992, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2008, when the franchise left the league.The team played its home games...

and eventual national champions Central Coast Roadrunners

Central Coast Roadrunners

Central Coast Roadrunners were an American soccer team, founded in 1996. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2002, after which the team left the league and the franchise rights were transferred to the...

, they nevertheless set themselves up to be a force to be reckoned with in years to come.

The Bucks won their first divisional title in 1997, eight points clear of second place Detroit Dynamite with 12 wins on the season, and made it all the way to the national semi finals, beating Grand Rapids Explosion, Kalamazoo Kingdom

Kalamazoo Kingdom

Kalamazoo Kingdom were an American soccer team, founded in 1996. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The Kingdom folded their...

and Des Moines Menace

Des Moines Menace

Des Moines Menace is an American soccer team based in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. Founded in 1994, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at Valley...

before eventually falling 2-0 to the Central Coast Roadrunners

Central Coast Roadrunners

in the final four. The Bucks also made their debut in the US Open Cup this year, enjoying an exciting 3-2 victory over USISL D3 Pro League

USL Second Division

The United Soccer Leagues Second Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, part of the United Soccer Leagues league pyramid...

side Wilmington Hammerheads

Wilmington Hammerheads

Wilmington Hammerheads is an American professional soccer team based in Wilmington, North Carolina. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....

, before losing to the A-League

USL First Division

The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....

's Rochester Ragin' Rhinos in the second round. At the end of the season, Steve Burns

Steve Burns

Steven Michael "Steve" Burns is an American entertainer. He is best known as the original host of the long-running children's television program Blue's Clues.-Early career:...

was named PDSL Coach of the Year.

The Bucks finished second to perennial rivals Detroit Dynamite in 1998 off the back of an 11-5-1 record, and again made the regional finals, losing 3-2 to finalists Jackson Chargers

Jackson Chargers

The Jackson Chargers were an American soccer team which played in the PDL....

after victories over Indiana Invaders

Indiana Invaders

Indiana Invaders is an American soccer team based in South Bend, Indiana, United States. Founded in 1998, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at the...

and the Dynamite in the divisional playoffs. The Bucks were growing into formidable opponents, and cemented this reputation by winning the Great Lakes division of the newly re-named PDL in 1999, reaching the third round of the US Open Cup (eventually losing to MLS

Major League Soccer

powerhouse Tampa Bay Mutiny

Tampa Bay Mutiny

The Tampa Bay Mutiny was a charter franchise of Major League Soccer active from 1996 - 2001. They initially played in Tampa Stadium and were immediately successful, winning the first MLS Supporters' Shield behind MLS MVP Carlos Valderrama and high-scoring forward Roy Lassiter, whose 27 goals in...

after knocking off the Austin Lone Stars

Austin Lone Stars

The Austin Lone Stars were a soccer club that competed in the SISL, USISL and United Soccer Leagues from 1987 to 2000. The club originally started in 1987/88 as the Austin Sockadillos in the original indoor SISL league. They became the Austin Lone Stars in 1994.-History:In 1987, Fernando Marcos...

and Minnesota Thunder

Minnesota Thunder

Minnesota Thunder was an American professional soccer team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1990, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009. The team played its home games at the National Sports Center in nearby...

in earlier rounds), although the playoffs were a slight disappointment by the Bucks' high standards, losing 2-1 to Sioux City Breeze

Sioux City Breeze

The Sioux City Breeze were a soccer club based in Sioux City, Iowa. The club began in the USISL and moved to the USISL Premier League in 1995.-Year-by-year:...

in the Conference Semi-Finals.

The Bucks took their second PDL Great Lakes title in a row - their third overall - in 2000, annihilating their divisional opponents, and finishing an astonishing 27 points clear of second-place Dayton Gems. The Bucks got a bye to the national playoff semi finals, and secured their first ever championship game berth with a 5-2 win over Yakima Reds

Yakima Reds

Yakima Reds was an American soccer team based in Yakima, Washington, United States. Founded in 1995, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference...

. Unfortunately, the Bucks were beaten in the final by the Chicago Sockers

Chicago Sockers

Professional TeamChicago Sockers were an American soccer team, founded in 1995. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues, played at a professional level in the USISL Pro League, USISL Select League and USISL D-3 Pro League as the Chicago Stingers until 1999, when they chose to relegate...

, and had to be content with being the second best PDL team in the nation; still, three divisional titles and five consecutive trips to the playoffs was a remarkable achievement for the club. If that were not enough, the Bucks also made it to the third round of the US Open Cup in 2000 - after a comfortable 3-0 win over Maryland-based amateur side Jerry D's, the Bucks sensationally knocked out Major League Soccer

Major League Soccer

giants New England Revolution

New England Revolution

1-0, with Chad Schomaker scoring the winning goal in the 90th minute, before losing their next game on penalty kicks to Miami Fusion

Miami Fusion

Miami Fusion F.C. was a professional soccer club located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida that participated in Major League Soccer from 1998 to 2001. The club played in Lockhart Stadium, which was a former high school stadium converted into a soccer-specific stadium...

after a 3-3 tie in regulation time. Unsurprisingly, head coach Joe Malachino was named PDL coach of the year, the second Bucks coach to receive the honor.

The Bucks missed the playoffs for the first time in 2001, beaten into third place in the Great Lakes Division by Chicago Fire Reserves and West Michigan Edge

West Michigan Edge

West Michigan Edge was an American soccer team based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1995, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2008, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team played...

, but did manage to progress to the second round of the US Open Cup for the third year in a row, knocking out amateur side Chaldean Arsenal before New England Revolution

New England Revolution

got their revenge for the previous year, hammering them 7-1. The Bucks were beaten into second place again in 2002, pipped by the Chicago Fire Reserves for a second time, although they did progress to the Conference Final, where they lost on penalties to eventual national runners-up Boulder Rapids Reserve

Boulder Rapids Reserve

Colorado Rapids U23's was an American soccer team based in Boulder, Colorado, United States. Founded in 2000 as part of the development system for the Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer franchise, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer...

. Two years without a single trophy was unprecedented in Michigan

Michigan

Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....

, and things needed to change.

In 2003 there was a coaching change, as former San Jose Clash star Dario Brose

Dario Brose

Dario Brose is a retired American soccer player who spent eight seasons in Europe, three in Major League Soccer and one in the USL First Division. He has also coached the Mid-Michigan Bucks of the Premier Development League.-Youth:Dario played his high school soccer for Roy C...

was replaced by Don Gemmell. Gemmell's influence was felt immediately. The Bucks began the year with a 5-game unbeaten streak that included an impressive 3-1 win on the road against Indiana Invaders

Indiana Invaders

, and continued on through the month of June with 5 wins in 6 games, highlighted by a 5-0 demolition of West Michigan Edge

West Michigan Edge

that featured a hat trick from Simon Omekanda. The Bucks secured their fourth divisional title off the back of two more comprehensive victories - 5-0 over Kalamazoo Kingdom

Kalamazoo Kingdom

and 4-0 over Fort Wayne Fever

Fort Wayne Fever

Fort Wayne Fever was an American soccer team based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States. Founded in 2003, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009, after which the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team...

- but fell in the conference final game to their perennuial rivals, Chicago Fire Reserves. The Bucks continued on with their US Open Cup exploits, beating USL Pro Select League

USL Second Division

The United Soccer Leagues Second Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, part of the United Soccer Leagues league pyramid...

Long Island Rough Riders

Long Island Rough Riders is an American soccer team based in South Huntington, New York, United States. Founded in 1994, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its...

, before losing 4-0 to the New York/New Jersey Metrostars in Round 3.

In 2004, the Mid Michigan Bucks became the Michigan Bucks, coinciding with their permanent move from Saginaw to metro-Detroit and a new logo. The season began as 2003 had ended - with the Bucks on top. They opened the season with two 5-goal victories over Indiana Invaders

Indiana Invaders

and West Michigan Edge

West Michigan Edge

, and went on to lose only three regular season games all year. The Bucks were deadly in front of goal: in addition to their 10-goal haul in the first two games, they put six past Indiana Invaders

Indiana Invaders

on Independence Day

Independence Day (United States)

Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain...

, and then scored 15 goals in three games, sweeping aside Fort Wayne Fever

Fort Wayne Fever

, Cleveland Internationals

Cleveland Internationals

Cleveland Internationals was an American soccer team based in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. Founded in 2004, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference...

and West Michigan Edge

West Michigan Edge

with ease. Unfortunately, the Bucks' trip to the playoffs ended with an ignominious 3-2 defeat to Boulder Rapids Reserve

Boulder Rapids Reserve

in the first game. Knox Cameron

Knox Cameron

Knox Cameron, better known as Knoxy to his friends, is a Jamaican-born American soccer player who currently plays for Michigan Bucks in USL Premier Development League.-College and Amateur:...

was the Bucks' most prolific striker, scoring 15 goals for the season (including 2 hat tricks), while Joseph Kabwe

Joseph Kabwe

Joseph Kabwe is a Zimbabwean footballer who last played for Carolina RailHawks in the USSF Division 2 Professional League.-College and Amateur:...

, Simon Omekanda, Kevin Taylor

Kevin Taylor (soccer)

Kevin Taylor is an American soccer player who currently plays for Michigan Bucks in USL Premier Development League.-College and Amateur:...

and Mychal Turpin all notched impressive goal scoring figures.

Bucks stalwart Paul Snape, who had played for the team for many years, was appointed head coach in 2005, but the first few games of his tenure were rocky: three consecutive wins were followed by an unprecedented 4-game winless streak, the nadir of which was a 4-1 loss on the road at Chicago Fire Premier

Chicago Fire Premier

Chicago Fire Premier is an American soccer team based in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded in 2001, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at...

. However, this was merely a blip on the radar, as Michigan finally turned things round: from mid June to the end of the season, the Bucks were simply majestic. They rattled off ten consecutive wins, blowing their opponents off the field. They beat the hapless Fort Wayne Fever

Fort Wayne Fever

7-0, and annihilited poor Toledo Slayers

Toledo Slayers

Toledo Slayers were an American soccer team, founded in 2003. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2005, when they left the league and the franchise was terminated.The Slayers played their home games in...

in their three games, outscoring them 17-0, with Kheli Dube scoring four goals in one game, and with the final game being abandoned at half-time with the Bucks leading 6-0. Dube and Ryan McMahen

Ryan McMahen

Ryan McMahen is an American soccer player, currently without a club.-College and Amateur:McMahen played college soccer at Michigan State University from 2001 to 2005. He finished his career with 26 goals and 28 assists, coming out of the midfield; the latter was good enough for second all-time in...

were unstoppable in front of goal, netting 18 times between them on the way to the playoffs, while Kevin Taylor

Kevin Taylor (soccer)

Kevin Taylor is an American soccer player who currently plays for Michigan Bucks in USL Premier Development League.-College and Amateur:...

was named PDL Defender of the Year. Yet again, however, the Bucks stuttered in the playoffs, this time losing the Conference final to eventual national champions Des Moines Menace

Des Moines Menace

.

2006 was a landmark year for the Bucks. Dan Fitzgerald replaced Paul Snape as head coach, but the new man at the helm didn't destabilize the team. Four wins in their opening four games took the Bucks back to the US Open Cup after a 2-year break, and once again they upset higher-league opponents, beating Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Pittsburgh Riverhounds is an American professional soccer team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1999, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....

2-0 in Round 1, and overcoming Cincinnati Kings

Cincinnati Kings

Cincinnati Kings is an American soccer team based in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. Founded in 2005, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at the...

in Round 2, before eventually going down 4-1 to Major League Soccer

Major League Soccer

's Columbus Crew

Columbus Crew

The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...

in the third round. The Bucks did suffer a slight stutter in form, losing three of four games including a surprising 0-3 turnaround away at the Indiana Invaders

Indiana Invaders

, but regrouped for the final push to the playoffs and enjoyed a 4-game unbeaten run at the end of the season (including a 6-1 hammering of West Michigan Edge

West Michigan Edge

in the final regular season match). After so many years of oh-so-close, everything finally came right for the Bucks in the playoffs. They wiped out Colorado Rapids U23's 4-1 in the semi finals, enjoyed sweet revenge over Chicago Fire Premier

Chicago Fire Premier

to take the Conference title 4-0, with Nate Jafta

Nate Jafta

Nathaniel "Nate" Jafta is a South African soccer player who last played for Harrisburg City Islanders in the USL Second Division.-College:...

scoring a hat trick, and finally reached their first ever PDL Championship game by overcoming Western Conference champions Orange County Blue Star

Orange County Blue Star

Orange County Blue Star is an American soccer team based in Irvine, California, United States. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games at...

with two goals from Kenny Uzoigwe. On a hot, windy night in southern Texas

Texas

Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...

, in front of 7,000 partisan fans, and live on Fox Soccer Channel

Fox Soccer Channel

Fox Soccer is an American television specialty channel, owned by News Corporation's Fox Entertainment Group, that specializes in soccer. It formerly broadcast rugby and Australian rules football, but is now dedicated strictly to soccer...

, the Bucks beat Laredo Heat

Laredo Heat

2-1 with goals from Kenny Uzoigwe and Tyiselani Shipalane to take their first ever national championship, after 11 years of excellent play.

As reigning PDL champions, the Bucks started 2007 with high expectations, and to their credit they did not disappoint - if anything, they actually improved on their 2006 form. They began the season with an unprecedented 11-game unbeaten run, dropping points in only three ried games, and seemingly scoring at will: they beat West Michigan Edge

West Michigan Edge

4-0 on opening day, but four past Chicago Fire Premier

Chicago Fire Premier

, thumped Cleveland Internationals

Cleveland Internationals

5-0 in early June, outplayed PDL new boys Toronto Lynx

Toronto Lynx

Toronto Lynx is a Canadian soccer team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference....

4-0 at home in the very next game, and blew the Indiana Invaders

Indiana Invaders

off the field 5-1 before the season was two months old. Their majestic form took the Bucks to the US Open Cup once more, but for once they failed to off their higher-division opponents, losing 4-2 to Richmond Kickers

Richmond Kickers

The Richmond Kickers are an American professional soccer club based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...

in first round. After a slight blip when they lost 2-1 to Cleveland Internationals

Cleveland Internationals

after receiving two red cards, normal service was resumed with a 7-1 hammering of West Michigan Edge

West Michigan Edge

in the next game (which featured a Kenny Uzoigwe hat trick), and the Bucks strolled to their sixth divisional title. After dominating the St. Louis Lions

St. Louis Lions

St. Louis Lions is an American soccer team based in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at the...

in the playoff semi-final, the Bucks retained their Conference title with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Chicago Fire Premier

Chicago Fire Premier

, returning to the national stage for a second consecutive year. A penalty shootout victory over Brooklyn Knights

Brooklyn Knights

Brooklyn Knights is an American soccer team based in New York, New York, United States. Founded in 1999, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home games at the...

after a 1-1 tie in the semi finals sent the Bucks to the Championship game for the second consecutive year - where, once again, their opponents were Southern Conference champions Laredo Heat

Laredo Heat

. Over 6,500 fans in Laredo, Texas

Laredo, Texas

Laredo is the county seat of Webb County, Texas, United States, located on the north bank of the Rio Grande in South Texas, across from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 236,091 making it the 3rd largest on the United States-Mexican border,...

watched the game finish 0-0 after extra time; the resulting penalty shootout was full of drama when, with the scores balanced at 3-3, striker Kenny Uziogwe suffered horrific leg cramps and was unable to take his spot kick, and had to be substituted during the shootout. His replacement, Ian Daniel, had his kick saved by Laredo goalkeeper Ryan Cooper; teenager Felix Garcia then scored the winner for the Texans. Nevertheless, two consecutive trips to the championship game was a massive achievement for the Bucks, and cemented their place as one of the leading amateur clubs in the nation.

Prior to the 2008 season the Bucks moved into the brand new $17-million Ultimate Soccer Arenas

Ultimate Soccer Arenas

Ultimate Soccer Arenas is an indoor soccer-specific stadium in Pontiac, Michigan. The facility is unique in that it is one of the largest fully enclosed full-size association football arenas in the United States. It features two AstroTurf pitches: one is a full-size 110x75-yard pitch with a...

in Pontiac, Michigan

Pontiac, Michigan

, making them one of the few teams to play regularly on a full-size indoor soccer field. Prior to this, the Bucks were without a regular home field for several years, and played games at numerous different venues in Michigan

Michigan

.

The Bucks continued their dominance of the Great Lakes division in 2008 with an almost flawless season. They lost just one regular season game all year, 1-0 at home to Toronto Lynx

Toronto Lynx

, but were unstoppable elsewhere, invariably crushing their opponents with a combination of free scoring and solid defence. Among the highlights were a 5-0 battering of Fort Wayne Fever

Fort Wayne Fever

in mid-May, a 4-2 win over divisional rivals Cleveland Internationals

Cleveland Internationals

in early June, a 3-1 road victory over newcomers Kalamazoo Outrage

Kalamazoo Outrage

Kalamazoo Outrage was an American soccer team based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. Founded in 2007, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...

, and a 3-0 win over Toronto Lynx

Toronto Lynx

- avenging their earlier defeat - on the final day of the season. Their solid early-season form also gave them a berth in the US Open Cup for the third straight year, but fell in the first round by the odd goal in three against USL2 side Cleveland City Stars

Cleveland City Stars

Cleveland City Stars was an American professional soccer team based in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. Founded in 2006, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid until 2009...

. The Bucks had the divisional title wrapped up long before the final weekend, eventually finishing 8 points clear of Cleveland in the standings; as such, they entered the playoffs as hot favorites to progress, especially as they were hosting the Central Conference tournament at home in Pontiac

Pontiac, Michigan

. However, they were shockingly dumped out at the first hurdle by Kalamazoo Outrage

Kalamazoo Outrage

, who scored an 86th minute equalizer to force extra time, and ran out 3-1 winners. The ever-prolific Kenny Uzoigwe was the Bucks' top scorer, with 10 goals, while his partner-in-crime Nate Jafta

Nate Jafta

Nathaniel "Nate" Jafta is a South African soccer player who last played for Harrisburg City Islanders in the USL Second Division.-College:...

contributed 9 assists.

Current roster

As of June 10, 2011.

Notable former players

This list of notable former players comprises players who went on to play professional soccer after playing for the team in the Premier Development League, or those who previously played professionally before joining the team.

Stephen Armstrong

Stephen Armstrong

Stephen Armstrong is an English-born South African footballer who currently plays for Charleston Battery in the USL Professional Division.-College and Amateur:...

Besmir Bega

Besmir Bega is an Albanian football striker who currently plays for Partizani Tirana in Albania. He has previously played in the United States for the Des Moines Menace and the Michigan Bucks.-College and amateur:...

Eric Brunner

Eric Brunner is an American soccer player who currently plays for Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...

Knox Cameron

Knox Cameron, better known as Knoxy to his friends, is a Jamaican-born American soccer player who currently plays for Michigan Bucks in USL Premier Development League.-College and Amateur:...

Dominic Cervi

Dominic Cervi is an American soccer player who currently plays as a goalkeeper for Scottish Football League First Division club Greenock Morton on loan from Scottish Premier League side Celtic.-Personal life:...

Steve Clark

Steve Clark (soccer)

Steve Clark is an American soccer player who currently plays as a goalkeeper for Adeccoligaen side Hønefoss BK.-College and Amateur:Clark played soccer in the NCAA for the Oakland University Golden Grizzlies from 2005 to 2008...

Nate Craft

Nate Craft is a U.S. soccer defender with the Michigan Bucks in the USL Premier Development League...

Doug DeMartin

Doug DeMartin is an American soccer player who last played for Portland Timbers in the USSF Division-2 Professional League.-College and Amateur:...

Mkhokheli Dube

Mkhokheli "Kheli" Dube is a Zimbabwean footballer who currently plays for New England Revolution in Major League Soccer.-Early Career and College:...

T. J. Gore

Timothy "T. J." Gore is an American soccer player currently playing for Rochester Rhinos in the USL Professional Division.-College and Amateur:...

Jordan Gruber

Jordan Gruber is an American-Israeli professional football player. He signed a six month contract with OFK Beograd straight out of university...

Stephen Herdsman

Stephen Herdsman is an American soccer defender playing for the Michigan Bucks of the USL Premier Development League.-Career:...

Dave Hertel

Dave Hertel is an American soccer player who currently plays for Richmond Kickers in the USL Professional Division.-Youth and College:...

Aaron Hohlbein

Aaron Hohlbein is an American soccer player who currently plays for Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the North American Soccer League.-College and Amateur:...

Michael Holody

Michael Holody is an American soccer player currently playing for Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:Holody attended University of Michigan...

Nate Jafta

Nathaniel "Nate" Jafta is a South African soccer player who last played for Harrisburg City Islanders in the USL Second Division.-College:...

Greg Janicki

Greg Janicki is an American soccer player currently playing for Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...

George Josten

George Josten is an American soccer player who last played for Portland Timbers in the USSF Division-2 Professional League.-College and Amateur:...

Joseph Kabwe

Joseph Kabwe is a Zimbabwean footballer who last played for Carolina RailHawks in the USSF Division 2 Professional League.-College and Amateur:...

Thabiso Khumalo

Thabiso "Boyzzz" Khumalo is a South African footballer currently playing for Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the USL Professional Division.-Early Life and College:...

Brian Ombiji

Brian Ombiji is a Kenyan footballer, currently playing for Harrisburg City Islanders in the USL Professional Division.-College:...

Fabien Lewis

Fabien Lewis is a Trinidadian soccer player who last played for Real Maryland Monarchs in the USL Second Division.-Youth and College:...

Andy Lorei

Andy Lorei is an American soccer player who currently plays for NSC Minnesota Stars in the North American Soccer League.-College:...

Bonaventure Maruti

Bonaventure Maruti is a Kenyan football striker who is currently playing for Fram Larvik in Norway.Maruti has played 14 international matches for the Kenyan national team. He is Follo's all time top scorer. He broke Oddmund Vaagsholm's previous record of 34 goals for the first team...

Rauwshan McKenzie

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Ryan McMahen

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Kofi Sarkodie

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Ty Shipalane

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Daniel Stevens

Daniel Stevens (soccer)

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Year-by-year

Year	Division	League	Regular Season	Playoffs	Open Cup
1996	4	USISL Premier League	3rd, Central Northern	Premier Six	Did not qualify
1997	4	USISL PDSL	1st, North Central	Semifinals	2nd Round
1998	4	USISL PDSL	2nd, Great Lakes	Regional Finals	Did not qualify
1999	4	USL PDL	1st, Great Lakes	Conference Semifinals	3rd Round
2000	4	USL PDL	1st, Great Lakes	National Final	3rd Round
2001	4	USL PDL	3rd, Great Lakes	Did not qualify	2nd Round
2002	4	USL PDL	2nd, Great Lakes	Conference Finals	Did not qualify
2003	4	USL PDL	1st, Great Lakes	Conference Finals	3rd Round
2004	4	USL PDL	1st, Great Lakes	Conference Semi Finals	Did not qualify
2005	4	USL PDL	2nd, Great Lakes	Conference Finals	Did not qualify
2006	4	USL PDL	2nd, Great Lakes	Champions	3rd Round
2007	4	USL PDL	1st, Great Lakes	National Final	1st Round
2008	4	USL PDL	1st, Great Lakes	Conference Semifinals	1st Round
2009	4	USL PDL	4th, Great Lakes	Did not qualify	Did not qualify
2010	4	USL PDL	1st, Great Lakes	Conference Finals	Did not qualify
2011	4	USL PDL	1st, Great Lakes	Conference Finals	Did not qualify

Honors

USL PDL Great Lakes Division Champions 2011
USL PDL Great Lakes Division Champions 2010
USL PDL Regular Season Champions 2008
USL PDL Great Lakes Division Champions 2008
USL PDL Central Conference Champions 2007
USL PDL Great Lakes Division Champions 2007
USL PDL Champions 2006
USL PDL Central Conference Champions 2006
USL PDL Great Lakes Division Champions 2004
USL PDL Great Lakes Division Champions 2003
USL PDL Regular Season Champions 2000
USL PDL Central Conference Champions 2000
USL PDL Great Lakes Division Champions 2000
USL PDL Great Lakes Division Champions 1999
USISL PDSL North Central Division Champions 1997

Head coaches

Steve Burns (1996-1999) Joe Malachino (2000-2001) Dario Brose

Dario Brose

(2002) Don Gemmell (2003-2004) Paul Snape (2005) Dan Fitzgerald (2006-2009) Gary Parsons (2010-present)

Stadia

Hurley Field; Berkley, Michigan
Berkley, Michigan
Berkley is a city in Oakland County of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is an inner suburb of Detroit. As of the 2010 census, the total population was 14,970.-Downtown, Dream Cruise, etc.:...

14 games (2003-2005)
White Pine Stadium; Saginaw, Michigan
Saginaw, Michigan
Saginaw is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Saginaw County. The city of Saginaw was once a thriving lumber town and manufacturing center. Saginaw and Saginaw County lie in the Flint/Tri-Cities region of Michigan...

1 game (2003)
Stadium at Plymouth-Canton High School; Canton, Michigan 4 games (2003)
Stadium at Oakland University
Oakland University
Oakland University is a public university co-founded by Matilda Dodge Wilson and John A. Hannah whose campus is located in central Oakland County, Michigan, United States in the cities of Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills. It is the only major research university in Oakland County, from which OU...

; Rochester, Michigan
Rochester, Michigan
Rochester is an affluent city in north Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan on the northern outskirts of metro Detroit. The population was 12,711 at the 2010 census...

4 games (2005)
Stadium at Stoney Creek High School
Stoney Creek High School
Stoney Creek High School is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan and is part of the Rochester Community Schools.The school mascot is Cosmo the cougar. The school colors are Vegas Gold and Millennium Blue...

; Rochester Hills, Michigan
Rochester Hills, Michigan
Rochester Hills is an affluent city in northeast Oakland County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 70,995. The city of Rochester is bounded on the north, south, and west by Rochester Hills...

(2006)
Stadium at Athens High School
Athens High School (Troy, Michigan)
Troy Athens High School is a public high school located in Troy, Michigan. It is attended by more than 1,600 students, serving grades 9-12. Athens is one of four high schools in the Troy School District, along with Troy High School, Niles Community High School, and International Academy East...

; Troy, Michigan
Troy, Michigan
Troy is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan, and is a suburb of Detroit. The population was 80,980 at the 2010 census, making it the 11th-largest city in Michigan by population, and the largest city in Oakland County...

1 game (2007)
Independence Park; Canton, Michigan 4 games (2007-2011)
Stadium at Andover High School
Andover High School (Bloomfield Hills, Michigan)
Andover High School is a public high school in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA and is part of the Bloomfield Hills School District. The school's current principal is Rob Durecka. The school was founded in 1955. The school boasts well-rounded programs in academics, the arts and sports...

; Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Bloomfield Hills is a city in Oakland County of the U.S. state of Michigan, northwest of downtown Detroit. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 3,869...

1 game (2007)
Stadium at Saline High School; Saline, Michigan
Saline, Michigan
Saline is a city in Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 8,810.The city is popular for its annual Celtic Festival, which attracts people from all over the United States and its sister cities Brecon, Wales and Lindenberg, Germany...

1 game (2007)
Saginaw Soccer Complex; Saginaw, Michigan
Saginaw, Michigan
Saginaw is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Saginaw County. The city of Saginaw was once a thriving lumber town and manufacturing center. Saginaw and Saginaw County lie in the Flint/Tri-Cities region of Michigan...

1 game (2007)
Stadium at Lake Orion High School
Lake Orion High School
Lake Orion High School is a public secondary institution located in Orion Township, Michigan. It is a part of Lake Orion Community Schools.The large campus features a centralized commons area, which serves as a distribution center to the wings. The commons area features the cafeteria and student...

; Lake Orion, Michigan
Lake Orion, Michigan
Lake Orion is a village in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,973 at the 2010 census. "Lake Orion" is often used to describe both the village and the much larger Orion Township, of which the village is a part....

5 games (2007-2008)
Stadium at Rochester High School; Rochester Hills, Michigan
Rochester Hills, Michigan
Rochester Hills is an affluent city in northeast Oakland County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 70,995. The city of Rochester is bounded on the north, south, and west by Rochester Hills...

1 game (2007)
Columbus Crew Stadium
Columbus Crew Stadium
Columbus Crew Stadium is a soccer-specific stadium in Columbus, Ohio and the home stadium of Major League Soccer club, Columbus Crew. Built in 1999, Crew Stadium was the first soccer-specific stadium built for a professional soccer team in the second pro era of American soccer...

; Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...

1 game (2007)
Ultimate Soccer Arenas
Ultimate Soccer Arenas
Ultimate Soccer Arenas is an indoor soccer-specific stadium in Pontiac, Michigan. The facility is unique in that it is one of the largest fully enclosed full-size association football arenas in the United States. It features two AstroTurf pitches: one is a full-size 110x75-yard pitch with a...

; Pontiac, Michigan
Pontiac, Michigan
Pontiac is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan named after the Ottawa Chief Pontiac, located within the Detroit metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 59,515. It is the county seat of Oakland County...

(2008-present)
Stadium at Walled Lake Central High School
Walled Lake Central High School
Walled Lake Central High School is located in Walled Lake, Michigan. It is one of three high schools in the Walled Lake Consolidated Schools which serves portions of western Oakland County. It has been designated as a National Exemplary School by the U.S. Department of Education...

; Walled Lake, Michigan
Walled Lake, Michigan
Walled Lake is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 6,999 at the 2010 census.-Origins of the name:The town's name is said to have been given by the first Euro-American settler, Walter Hewitt, in 1825...

1 game (2011)
Borden Park; Rochester Hills, Michigan
Rochester Hills, Michigan
Rochester Hills is an affluent city in northeast Oakland County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 70,995. The city of Rochester is bounded on the north, south, and west by Rochester Hills...

1 game (2011)

Average attendance

Attendance stats are calculated by averaging each team's self-reported home attendances from the historical match archive at http://www.uslsoccer.com/history/index_E.html

2005: 603 (10th in PDL)
2006: 268
2007: 566
2008: 726
2009: 661
2010: 581

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.