The Mid Michigan Bucks enter their eighth season as one of the most successful minor league soccer teams in U.S. history. Holding or sharing national Premier Development League (PDL) records for Division Titles (5), National Finals Appearances (3), U.S. Open Cup qualifications (4) and U.S. Open Cup Victories (6). The franchise has also qualified for an unprecedented five PDL Quarterfinals (or Conference Championship games) and completed seven consecutive winning seasons.
The Bucks will play the majority of their home games in the metro-Detroit area this season (one game will be held in their original home city, Saginaw Twp.). The team features the finest Michigan-bred talent mixed with some of the top amateur players from around the country. Don Gemmell, the Director of Coaching for the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association, begins his first season as the Bucks' Head Coach.
PREMIER DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
As the highest level of soccer available for soccer fans in Michigan, the PDL is America's Division IV, 51-team national league that allows the best amateur players to play alongside and against professionals, while maintaining their NCAA eligibility. In the last two years alone, the PDL has produced more than 70 draftees into Major League Soccer (MLS) and has claimed three victories over MLS teams in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Tournament including the first-ever upset --by the Bucks-- against the New England Revolution at Foxboro Stadium in 2000.
For the third consecutive year, the PDL Championship will be televised live nationally by Fox Sports World (August 9th).
