Flint City Bucks topple professional club Forward Madison FC 2-0 final: Open Cup’s historic “giant-killers” claim 11th victory over pros

Grand Blanc, Mich. — Returning to the nation’s oldest competition, the Flint City Bucks (USL League Two) won 2-0 on Thursday over Forward Madison FC (USL League One).

The Bucks bolstered their resume as the most accomplished amateur / semi professional club in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup’s modern era — entering 16 editions since 1997, playing 31 knockout matches, and winning 16 times, including twice over teams from first-division Major League Soccer.

Absent from the tournament since 2018 due to tournament timing and logistics, the Bucks finally claimed their 11th cup win against professional sides. The round-one Open Cup match, played at Don Batchelor Stadium in Grand Blanc, was the club’s first in Genesee County after relocating to Flint in 2019.

“We talked a little bit about that with the players in the locker room: Put your stamp on the Bucks’ history and give something back to the fans who came out on a cool March evening,” said Bucks head coach Paul Doroh. “We wanted to give the fans their reward, and we wanted to win the game for ourselves too. It’s not every day you get to play in the U.S. Open Cup, and it’s not every day you get to play against a professional team. The guys played really, really well tonight.”

Flint City’s starting lineup averaged just over 21 years of age, with the roster assembling for the first time during a limited training session Wednesday night — matchday eve. Eight players from the initial XI are expected to return for the Bucks’ USL2 league slate in the summer.

Goalkeeper Isaiah Goldson (University of Michigan junior | Oakville, Ontario, Canada) earned the clean sheet. He made four saves, including key over-the-bar tips on either side of halftime.

Jack Roman (University of Akron junior | Canfield, Ohio) starred on the left side of the Bucks’ attack, creating the opening goal in the 13th minute. Streaking past defenders and onto a ball from Ollie Moller-Jensen (Florida Atlantic University junior | Denmark), he cut in and shot from the wing. Madison keeper Tenzing Manske deflected it off a defender and into the net.

In the 67th minute, a long ball from Tweneboa “Bingo” Kodua (Oral Roberts University sophomore | Accra, Ghana) found Roman again near the corner of the penalty area. He settled it, cut back, and sent a crisp pass to striker Jordy Lopez (Madonna University redshirt senior | Bogotá, Colombia). Lopez fired the ball into the top-left corner to provide insurance for the Bucks.

“We told the guys at halftime, we’re not gonna bunker in we’re gonna continue to play,” Doroh remarked. “We knew we were gonna have to weather a storm — in the first 15-20 minutes, they were gonna come at us, and they did. But the guys got the job done. It was fantastic.”

What’s next: Second-round Open Cup matches are expected to take place Wednesday, April 1, with matchups and host sites to be announced soon.

One more victory would lead to an MLS matchup in the round of 16.

Lineup Notes

#1 Goldson

#2 Pierson

#3 Arpachinda (#4 Townsend 29’)

#6 Kamara

#7 Paiva

#8 Kodua

#10 Roman

#11 Spadafora 82’

#18 Moller-Jensen

#22 Dreas

#21 Albritton (#9 Lopez 46’ [#29 Bodurov 90’])

#23 Carnevale (#28 Mazzei 86’)

Unused subs: Horlings, O’Riordan

Goal Summary

1-0 FCB, Own Goal (13’)

2-0 FCB, Lopez (67’)

Disciplinary Summary

Yellow, MAD – Bench-Glaeser (31’)

Yellow, MAD – Edwards (43’)

Yellow, FCB – Carnevale (48’)

Yellow, FCB – Kamara (74’)

Yellow, FCB – Spadafora (90’)

Red, MAD – Humphrey (90’)

Match highlights are available on the U.S. Soccer YouTube channel.

About the Flint City Bucks

The Flint City Bucks are the nation’s premiere pre-professional soccer club and compete in fourth-tier USL League Two. The Bucks have reached the USL2 postseason in six consecutive seasons—every year calling Atwood Stadium home. In club history, the Bucks have 26 playoff appearances in 29 chances, four league national titles (including 2019), 12 conference championships (2025), and 17 division crowns (2025). Since their founding in 1996, the Bucks have never had a losing season.

Bucks in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

The Flint City Bucks returned to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2026 after accepting qualification for the first time since rehoming to Flint. The Open Cup—U.S. Soccer’s oldest competition, dating to 1914—is a single-elimination tournament featuring clubs from all levels across the country.

Now in its 111th edition, the Open Cup has crowned U.S. Soccer’s national champion since 1914. The history-filled tournament is open to all professional and amateur or semi-professional teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer. The 2025 winner earned a berth in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup and had its name engraved on the Dewar Challenge Trophy—one of the oldest nationally contested trophies in American team sports. The tournament featured a total purse worth $1 million.

The Bucks stand among the most decorated giant-killers in Open Cup history. In 16 tournament appearances since 1997, we have a record 11 wins over professional opponents—including landmark upsets of MLS sides New England Revolution in 2000 and Chicago Fire in 2012.

2026 season tickets: On sale now!

One ticket, two teams, all summer. Season-ticket holders for 2026 will receive admission to every single home match for both the Flint City Bucks (men) and Flint City AFC (women). You’ll be set for any friendlies (international and otherwise) and tournament games (including U.S. Open Cup and league playoffs). Packages start at just $125 for adults and $75 for youth ages 17 and younger. Flint City AFC will open its home slate Saturday, May 16, followed by Bucks opening night Saturday, May 30.

Flint City matchday: What to expect

Flint City matches are fun, affordable, and family-friendly—showcasing some of the best semi-professional soccer talent in the country. Flint, Michigan, is widely recognized as a destination for top NCAA players looking to join MLS, NWSL, and professional leagues worldwide. The Bucks attract top prospects from almost every continent, with more than a dozen countries represented on a typical roster.

Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium is a historic gem of a stadium—worth the price of admission on its own. Game nights feature an energized, outdoor, under-the-lights soccer experience alongside a festival-like environment for all to enjoy. Kids are always welcome to have fun on the pitch at halftime and meet and greet the players post-game for autographs and pictures. Join us today and don’t miss out on elite men’s and women’s semi-professional matches right here in beautiful downtown Flint.

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Media Contact: Costa Papista

Mobile: 989-971-2414

costa@flintcitybucks.com