The Flint City Bucks announced last month that they’d won the right to host an opening round game in the prestigious Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on March 19. The only issue? They also technically didn’t have any players on the roster yet for that match.
The match, which will be at 6:30 p.m. at Grand Blanc’s Don Batchelor Stadium, will be against Forward Madison FC, a team from USL League One. The Bucks play in USL League Two, and the tournament, which is the nation’s oldest after beginning in 1914, features 80 teams, including 48 professional teams and 32 open division/amateur clubs. The Bucks and all USL League Two teams are pre-professional and focus on development of amateur players, so they generally build a new roster from scratch each season. That puts them at some disadvantage compared to fully professional teams in the U.S. Open Cup that have full or at least partially constructed rosters.
Their opponent, Forward Madison, has played in five U.S. Open Cups, winning all five of their opening round matchups. The Bucks haven’t competed in the tournament since 2019, but are among the most decorated semiprofessional teams in Open Cup history, with 15 appearances since 1997 and a record 10 victories over professional opponents including upsets of MLS teams New England Revolution (2000) and Chicago Fire (2012).
So far, three familiar faces will be a part of the roster as the franchise is busy adding talent.
On February 4, the team announced the re-signing of Tweneboa “Bingo” Kodua for the USL League Two season and U.S. Open Cup. Kodua, a midfielder, started 14 matches for the Bucks last season. He recently completed his sophomore season at Oral Roberts University, starting 17 matches with one goal and one assist in more than 1,400 minutes.
“I’m excited to be back in Flint and can’t wait to reconnect with such an amazing community, with amazing people.” Kodua said in a news release. “Let’s win everything this time around.”
Wes Carnevale, who began playing with the Bucks in the summer of 2023 and had three goals and three assists in more than 1,000 minutes with the team last summer, has also re-signed.
“I’m incredibly excited to compete against professional teams for such a historic club,” said Carnevale, a midfielder, in a news release. “I can’t wait to feel the support on March 19 and hopefully celebrate a big win.”
Last season at Cornell University, Carnevale started 20 matches with six goals and three assists, helping the Big Red reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament. He was also named All-Ivy League First Team.
Jack Roman, who played in 13 matches with the Bucks last summer, was also re-signed. Roman plays both wing positions and has also played midfield, bringing needed versatility to the roster. Roman started 21 matches for Akron University last season, with six goals and six assists, and helped lead the team to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals.
“Looking forward to another great summer in Flint,” Roman said in a news release. “Cannot wait to meet all the fans and go for the fifth star!”
The team also announced the re-signing of team captain Ellis Jones for the season. Jones, a center back and an England native, played 15 matches for Flint last season. He recently played his junior season of college soccer with the University of Wisconsin, starting 14 matches for the Badgers.
The Bucks could potentially host future U.S. Open Cup games at their regular home field, Atwood Stadium, if they advance in the single elimination tournament.
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