After going unbeaten in August and September (2020) during its exhibition schedule, the Flint City Bucks came back on stage Saturday afternoon for an encore performance. In front of a limited capacity but boisterous audience, the Bucks controlled play and walked away with a decisive 3-0 shutout over Inter Detroit FC (UPSL).

Unlike the previous wins this season, the Bucks were able to host a limited number of fans at Kettering’s iconic Atwood Stadium for the first time since winning the USL2 North American Championship in August of 2019.

Fans saw a similar result. After giving up a close call in the 10th minute off a header, Flint City regrouped and dominated for the rest of the match. The Bucks outshot Inter Detroit 24-2, including 12-0 with shots on frame in the victory.

“We’ve been playing very well,” said Bucks head coach Andy Wagstaff. “We haven’t played in two weeks but we’ve become quite predictable in who we are — in a good way. Not predictable for the other team.”

Goalkeeper, Michael Sly (Grand Blanc/Michigan Wolves MLS Academy) picked up the clean sheet as the Bucks’ defense put together its most stifling effort of 2020. Every time Inter Detroit FC received the ball inside the box or offensive third of the field, the Bucks’ defense was quick to clear. James DeCosemo cleared away a dangerous header in the box in the 79th minute to keep Inter Detroit FC off the scoresheet.

“Michael is a very talented young player. He didn’t have to make any spectacular stops today, but he’s the type of player we have our eye on,” said Wagstaff. “Even though it's a major step up to the USL2 level, he’s definitely a player that you would love to have on your squad. He’s someone who could definitely help us in the future.”

Flint City (7-0-0) never trailed in any game this season in over 600 minutes of soccer. The Bucks picked up five clean sheets over seven games, allowed only two goals overall, and never more than one goal in a game.  FCB did not yield a single goal over the last four contests.

Sly picked up his second straight shutout for the Bucks, who outscored the opposition 29-2 overall during the 2020 exhibition summer/fall season. 

“I thought the first half today was excellent,” added Wagstaff. “We had a lot of opportunities and put together some really good possessions, creating great chances. Their keeper made some excellent saves.  In the second half, we just wore them down. Our defense was outstanding again, just as they have been all season.” 

Anthony Bowie gave the Bucks the 1-0 lead. Taking a long pass from Marty Maybin, Bowie’s bending cross from the right corner of the box sailed into traffic just one yard in front of the goal before deflecting off an Inter Detroit player’s heel and spinning over the goal line in the 36th minute.

Amadou Cisse scored the second goal of the match off a pass from Tyler Channell. Connor Rutz began the play with a service to the onrushing Channell, who quickly sent the ball to a charging Cisse — and Cisse left no doubt on his chance in the 44th minute.

Maybin scored the Bucks’ third goal on a nice effort in the box in the 78th minute. Collecting a long pass from Elliott Bentley, Maybin beat two defenders along the end line and then blasted a laser from an impossible angle past Inter Detroit FC goalkeeper Oscar Jimenez.  The ball lodged inside the webbing off the far goal post. The Bucks continued attacking for the remainder of the match. Flint City never trailed in a game all season. “The thing I liked (this season) was our ability to keep creating chances and never letting up,” said Wagstaff. “We saw that again today.”

DOMINATING EFFORTS: 

The statistics for the Bucks’ perfect 7-0-0 exhibition season in 2020 include:

Week 1: Flint City Bucks 8, Midwest United FC 0
Week 2: Flint City Bucks 2, Carpathia FC 1
Week 3: Flint City Bucks 2, Inter Detroit FC 1
Week 4: Flint City Bucks 7, Livonia FC 0
Week 5: Flint City Bucks 3, Detroit United FC 0
Week 6: Flint City Bucks 4, Rebels FC 0
Week 7: Flint City Bucks 3, Inter Detroit FC 0

Goals For: 29
Goals Against: 2
Shutouts: 5
Goals-Against-Average: 0.29
Record: 7-0-0