The Flint City Bucks host Inter Detroit FC this Saturday, Aug. 14, in the inaugural Interstate-75 Challenge Cup presented by Dort Financial Credit Union at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

Afterward, Bucks’ fans will be treated to a heavens-rattling, 20-minute fireworks display offered as part of Dort Financial Credit Union’s Member Appreciation Night. 

The encounter is part of the Bucks' ongoing five-match friendly (exhibition) series at iconic Atwood Stadium.

FCB opened the 2021 exhibition calendar with a 9-2 victory over metro Detroit-based Rebels FC on July 24.  Bucks 2019 national championship hero Ayuk Tambe blasted in two goals to herald his long-awaited return from a ruptured Achilles as the home side dominated from the opening whistle.

Tambe will be joined by Flint’s leading scorer during this season’s USL Two campaign Amadou Cisse (seven goals) and star defender from the 2019 title side Elliott Bentley, who started in the Bucks’ victory over Rebels FC.

Bentley, a former Oakland University captain and 2019 All-Horizon First-Team member, is counted on to fortify a Bucks defense that will also feature goalkeeper Jacob Nunner (University of Michigan), who played 65 minutes of shutout ball against Rebels FC before giving way to Grand Blanc native Michael Sly (Oakland University).

Another highly touted prospect from Grand Blanc, midfielder Dom Gasso, is expected to line up for the Bucks. Gasso, who is entering his senior year at Grand Blanc High, came on as sub in Flint’s win over Rebels FC. 

Gasso, who will celebrate his 18th birthday this month, was a member of the Flint City Bucks Academy team this season after coming up through the prestigious Vardar Academy system.

The Bucks look to remain undefeated in exhibition play (8-0) under head coach Andy Wagstaff. 

Saturday's encounter will likely be a combative affair with the inaugural I-75 Challenge Cup at stake and Inter Detroit FC being one of the state’s fast-emerging pro-am soccer programs.  The Pontiac-based club competed in the recently completed Midwest Premier League’s inaugural season.  The outfit, which bears strong ties to metro Detroit’s sizable Latino community, also fields a U23 side in the Michigan Premier Soccer League.

The Bucks hold a 2-0 series edge vs. Inter Detroit, winning 2-1 on Sept. 6 and 3-0 Oct. 17 as part of Flint’s undefeated 2020 exhibition series at Atwood, which took place after the USL 2 season was canceled due to the pandemic.

Callum Ashmore and Tyler Channell supplied Flint goals in the teams’ first meeting while the second leg featured tallies by Marty Maybin and Cisse with an Inter own goal. Grand Blanc’s Michael Sly (Oakland University) was in goal for the Bucks to earn the shutout.

Tickets for Saturday:

Tickets are $5 for kids 12-under, $10 adult GA and $15 for midfield reserved seating.  Purchase via www.ticketmaster.com, Flint Prints in the Ferris Wheel Building in downtown Flint or on match day at the stadium gates one hour prior to kickoff.  Kickoff is at 7:30 PM with the stadium gates opening at 6:30 PM.