The Flint City Bucks host FC Buffalo this Friday, July 17, at Kettering University’s historic Atwood Stadium in the opening round of the USL League Two playoffs.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

The Bucks finished the regular season with a 10-1-1 record, while FC Buffalo enters the postseason at 7-2-3. Buffalo enjoyed a strong season in the Great Forest Division and will present a difficult opening-round challenge.

USL League Two playoff matches are single-elimination, so every moment matters. Spread the word, invite your friends and family, and help pack Atwood Stadium for playoff soccer in Flint.

Purchase tickets online

Friday’s Central Conference Quarterfinal Doubleheader

Friday’s Bucks match is the second game of a Central Conference quarterfinal doubleheader at Atwood Stadium.

Friday, July 17

• 4 p.m.: Steel City FC vs. Northern Indiana FC
• 7:30 p.m.: Flint City Bucks vs. FC Buffalo

Undefeated Great Forest Division champion Steel City FC, based in Pittsburgh, finished the season 9-0-3. The club will face Valley Division runner-up Northern Indiana FC, which finished 8-4-0.

The winners of Friday’s matches will return to Atwood Stadium on Sunday evening for the Central Conference semifinal.

Sunday, July 19

• 6 p.m.: Central Conference semifinal

Sunday’s kickoff time is subject to change because of weather or the World Cup Final.

Ticket Information

Tickets will be available online and at the Atwood Stadium gates on matchday.

The stadium gates and ticket booths will open at 6:30 p.m., one hour before the Bucks’ kickoff.

• Adults: $17
• Children ages 17 and younger: $10
• Children younger than 3: Free

Friday tickets include admission to both quarterfinal matches.

Tickets are available at FlintCityBucks.com or through the online ticket portal.

Information for Season Ticket Holders

Postseason matches are included with Flint City Bucks season tickets.

Season ticket holders should use the first playoff ticket in their ticket books for Friday’s match. Buddy Vouchers are also valid.

Please note that the playoff tickets included in season ticket packages are misdated. The correct dates and times are:

• Friday, July 17, at 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, July 19, at 6 p.m.

Bucks Continue Remarkable Playoff Tradition

The Bucks have reached the USL League Two playoffs in seven consecutive seasons—every season since relocating to Flint in 2019.

Throughout the club’s history, the Bucks have earned:

• 27 postseason appearances in 30 opportunities
• Four national championships, most recently in 2019
• 12 conference championships, most recently in 2025
• 18 division championships, most recently in 2026

Since the club was founded in 1996, the Bucks have never recorded a losing season.

Know the Opponent: FC Buffalo

Founded in 2009, FC Buffalo is making its first USL League Two playoff appearance after joining the league from the National Premier Soccer League in 2023.

Buffalo finished second in the Great Forest Division and narrowly earned a wild-card berth over Oakland County FC, which failed to win any of its final six matches.

In 10 matches against opponents other than Steel City FC, Buffalo outscored its opponents 33-10. Buffalo played Steel City to a 1-1 draw on June 27 after losing the clubs’ earlier meeting 3-0.

Players to Watch

Buffalo’s attack is led by:

• Ali Alomari: 14 goals and two assists
• Lovro Kostanjšek: Eight goals and five assists
• Lucas Soares: Seven goals and six assists

Alomari, a Niagara University alumnus, has played for Flower City Union in the professional National Independent Soccer Association and has represented his native Yemen internationally.

Kostanjšek, a native of Slovenia, divided his college career between the University of South Florida and Rider University.

Soares, a 21-year-old Brazilian, completes Buffalo’s formidable attacking trio.

Binghamton University goalkeeper Jack Root played all 12 regular-season matches. He has recorded eight clean sheets during his Buffalo career, one shy of the club record.

River Rats Pregame Tailgate

Before the Bucks match, fans can join the River Rats supporters group for a BYOB tailgate in the grass parking lot northeast of Atwood Stadium.

The tailgate is expected to begin at approximately 5 p.m. Event information is available through the River Rats on Facebook.

Learn more about the supporters group in this Flint Daily article about how the River Rats build community and a love for soccer in Flint.

In-Stadium Food and Entertainment

Fans will have several food and beverage options available throughout the stadium.

Concession offerings will include:

• Koegel hot dogs
• Personal pizzas from Luigi’s Restaurant
• Pizza slices from Enzo’s Pizzeria

Food trucks scheduled to be around the stadium include:

• Smoke Rattle & Roll
• MexiCrunch
• Bubble Tea Truck
• Cops and Robbers Ice Cream

The VIP tent will feature pulled pork sandwiches from Blackstone’s Smokehouse, along with adult beverage offerings from Bud Light and Fenton Winery & Brewery.

Lateena Martin will perform the national anthem courtesy of the Flint Institute of Music and the Capitol Theatre.

Up Next

With a victory Friday night, the Bucks will return to Atwood Stadium on Sunday, July 19, for the Central Conference semifinal.

• Opponent: To be determined
• Kickoff: 6 p.m.
• Location: Atwood Stadium

Sunday’s game time is subject to change.

About the Flint City Bucks

The Flint City Bucks are one of the nation’s premier pre-professional soccer clubs, competing annually in USL League Two, the fourth division of the American soccer system.

Flint City has reached the USL League Two postseason in seven consecutive seasons—every year since relocating to Kettering University’s iconic Atwood Stadium.

In 2026, the historic club returned to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and recorded its 11th all-time upset victory over professional opposition.

Flint City Matchday: What to Expect

Flint City Bucks matches are fun, affordable and family-friendly, showcasing some of the best pre-professional soccer talent in the country.

Flint is widely recognized as a destination for top NCAA players preparing to pursue opportunities in Major League Soccer and professional leagues throughout the world. A typical Bucks roster includes players representing more than a dozen countries.

Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium is a historic Flint landmark and provides an exciting outdoor, under-the-lights soccer experience. Match nights combine elite competition with a festival-like atmosphere for fans of all ages.

Children are invited onto the field for halftime activities, and fans can meet Bucks players after the match for autographs and photos.

Join the Bucks this Friday and experience playoff soccer in downtown Flint.