This will be the thread to discuss actual Bucks games; sometimes this is call the PBP ("Play-by-play") thread.


2008 PDL Schedule unveiled
http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/223056.html

PDF version of 2008 PDL Schedule [+]
http://www.uslsoccer.com/docs/home/PDL2008Schedule.pdf

2008 USL PDL Regular Season Schedule

Day Month Date Visiting Team @ Home Team Time (ET)

Saturday May 17 West Virginia Chaos @ Michigan Bucks 7:30 PM

Wednesday May 21 Michigan Bucks @ West Michigan Edge 7:00 PM

Saturday May 24 Fort Wayne Fever @ Michigan Bucks 4:00 PM

Monday May 26 Michigan Bucks @ Cleveland Internationals 7:00 PM

Friday May 30 Michigan Bucks @ Cincinnati Kings 7:30 PM

Sunday June 1 Michigan Bucks @ West Virginia Chaos 7:00 PM

Wednesday June 4 West Michigan Edge @ Michigan Bucks 7:30 PM

Saturday June 7 Cleveland Internationals @ Michigan Bucks 7:30 PM

Thursday June 19 Toronto Lynx @ Michigan Bucks 7:30 PM

Saturday June 21 Michigan Bucks @ Kalamazoo Outrage 8:00 PM

Wednesday June 25 Michigan Bucks @ Chicago Fire 7:00 PM

Saturday July 5 Cincinnati Kings @ Michigan Bucks 7:30 PM

Wednesday July 9 Michigan Bucks @ Fort Wayne Fever 7:00 PM

Saturday July 12 Chicago Fire @ Michigan Bucks 7:30 PM

Wednesday July 16 Kalamazoo Outrage @ Michigan Bucks 7:30 PM

Sunday July 20 Michigan Bucks @ Toronto Lynx 4:00 PM

There are two 4:00 start times. I can't figure out why for the May 24 home match; but for the July 20 match in Toronto: could it be the PDL match in the afternoon, and an MLS match at night?

Shouldn't there be a separate thread for each game?

Am quite relieved to see our series with the Fire intact. Also pleased to see that we won't be playing Cleveland a gajillion times.

I may drag wife & child to see the Cincy game on 5/30; we've got friends just outside of Dayton we haven't seen in awhile.

Am praying the 5-year old's t-ball doesn't get in the way of any of these games.

My opinion was that most of the postings should be in an existing thread, instead of creating new threads for each game, each news item, etc.

Game details here (even the e-mails from the Bucks that are game reviews); roster details in the "roster past-present-future" thread; general news in the "official news" thread.

Bucks versus Derby County

The Bucks season-ticket holders brouchure (which I picked up at USA) lists a game against the EPL's Derby County, tentatively set for July 7. (Of course, by that time, they will be the Championship side Derby County.)

It also lists a game against the Crew date TBD.

The Bucks will start selling VIP season tickets at College Cup 1 on March 29, says the flyer.

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/7939120/Derby\'s-American-owners-see-good-investment
Derby's American owners see good investment
This article plays the "it's nowhere to go but up" angle, but I did chuckle on how the new owner Andy Appleby is trying to "NBA-ize" the fan experience and revenue-generation at the matches: American-based e-mails, seating by the benches at a price, more powerful music for the player entry, a "high-five line," and charging to have your kids be flag-bearers (which includes tickets to the next game).

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/7954524/Jewell-sphinx-he\'ll-go-for-Ghaly
Jewell sphinx he'll go for Ghaly
Derby boss Paul Jewell has hailed the recent performances of Hossam Ghaly and revealed he will try to sign the on-loan Egyptian in the summer. The 26-year-old, who is currently on loan from Spurs until the end of the season, has made nine appearances for the club following his arrival in early January.

FSC Derby County main page
http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/soccer/team?categoryId=5026

Derby County official site
www.dcfc.co.uk

Could this be the future of our Bucks? Over in KZoo the Outrage have partnered up with Sheffield Wednesday I think. Seems to be all the rage(pun not intended) these days.

Was there anything else in that brochure worth mentioning? Ticket prices maybe?

Nope, no ticket prices listed. The flyer talks of the kids camp (going on this week), the league schedule, sponsorships, the college cups, the Crew affiliation, and general blurbs about the team.

They might be waiting to know EXACTLY how many seats are in there before listing prices. When I was there on Tuesday, about 2/3 of the seating was installed; there were 320 VIP seats done with more waiting to install, and one whole set of bleachers waiting for seats. As I said, they would start selling season tiks on March 29.

Nice to have Derby County owned by a Detroit group, eh?

If they do a full exhibition tour of North America, I was wondering what other teams would be a good matchup for them. I thought of the Canada national side; If Canada gets by their first round of St. Vin and Gren (which could be one tough out), then a July match before the Concacaf round-of-12 would benefit them.

A match against the MLS All-Stars? That would be a bit of a stretch. (Has the ASG opponent been announced?) Does the USL have an ASG this year?

So Roger Faulkner, our very own Ignition announcer, is on the Derby County board? Another interesting local connection to DC. http://www.dcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/TheBoard/

Will they set up a season ticket package for the herd?

Derby County screwed Benny Feilhaber

The MLS all-stars are playing West Ham United.

TFC STH were given an option to buy tix for the ASG since the game is at BMO but most of us thought that Liverpool was going to be the opponent. That, combined with the fact the game ended up on a Thursday, has caused many to be unhappy, so tickets may be available on ebay, etc.

No MLS game in TO on Sunday, TFC plays San Jose at BMO on 7/19. BTW, this will be on HDNet.

Benny's agent must have a hole in his head for letting the kid go to Derby. It was a bad fit from the start.

From what I understand, there was quite a lively debate amongst the Hamburg braintrust concerning Benny. He had more than a little support.

I think referring to Faulkner as "our very own Ignition announcer" shortchanges his role in Michigan soccer, no?

I'd been racking my brain for some time now trying to figure out why I'd heard of Andy Appleby's name before. Turns out my wife had contact with him on a regular basis for a few months in the mid-90's. She thinks we might have even met him at a Pistons or Lions game.

A season tix package for Herd members would be nice, but I think we're going to actually have to prove ourselves a viable fan group to pull that off.

VIP seats? Sounds very cool. Are they special in some way, other than location? I'm really thinking of passing on this Saturday in favor of next week.

I would be interested in getting a couple of season tickets.

Some quick replies:

Dave: Yeah, I do know that Faulkner's history of soccer in the area goes way beyond the TV broadcasts. (But we CAN claim him as "our very own," right?) Also, the VIP seats in the stadium looked only to be location, in the center-field area, and a different seat color; nothing to physically seperate these from the regular seats.

TFC: Fans were surprised that the MLS ASG was on a Thursday? It was a Thursday last season. (Note to everyone: this is not a thead to request season tickets, just to prevent a string of "I want tickets, too" replies.)

Note the Venue Change

SCHEDULE CHANGE: The Michigan Bucks have announced that the home game on Wednesday, June 4th originally set for Ultimate Soccer Arenas has been moved to be played at Lake Orion High School. Kick off is still at 7:30 PM. Season ticket holders, flex pass holders and anyone who has purchased tickets for this match through Ticket Master will be able to use their same tickets for this match. For further information about the Bucks, please visit our web site at buckssoccer.com

(Also, the Michigan Hawks women's game on June 3 was rescheduled from their regular site of Livonia Stevenson to Detroit Country Day.)

Does anyone know why it isn't at USA? Not that it matters much I'll still be there, but just curious.

2009 Michigan Bucks Official Schedule

Sat; May 16; 7:30 PM; Kalamazoo Outrage at Michigan Bucks; Ultimate Soccer Arenas
Wed; May 20; 7:00 PM; Michigan Bucks at Fort Wayne Fever; Hefner Stadium
Sat; May 23; 3:00 PM; Cincinnati Kings at Michigan Bucks; Canton Cup Soccer Tournament
Mon; May 25; 7:30 PM; Michigan Bucks at Indiana Invaders; Indiana Invaders Soccer Complex
Sun; May 31; 7:30 PM; Toronto Lynx at Michigan Bucks; Ultimate Soccer Arenas
Thu; Jun 4; 7:30 PM; Indiana Invaders at Michigan Bucks; Ultimate Soccer Arenas
Sun; Jun 7; 5:00 PM; Michigan Bucks at Kalamazoo Outrage; Lay Norrix High School
Sat; Jun 13; 7:30 PM; Cleveland Internationals at Michigan Bucks; Ultimate Soccer Arenas
Thu; Jun 18; 7:30 PM; Fort Wayne Fever at Michigan Bucks; Ultimate Soccer Arenas
Sat; Jun 20; 7:30 PM; Michigan Bucks at Cincinnati Kings; Town & Country Sports Complex
Thu; Jun 25; 7:30 PM; Forest City London at Michigan Bucks; Ultimate Soccer Arenas
Wed; Jul 1; 7:00 PM; Michigan Bucks at Chicago Fire; Toyota Park
Wed; Jul 8; 7:00 PM; Michigan Bucks at Cleveland Internationals; Pinnacle Sports
Sat; Jul 11; 7:30 PM; Chicago Fire at Michigan Bucks; Ultimate Soccer Arenas
Fri; Jul 17; 7:30 PM; Michigan Bucks at Forest City London; North London Stadium
Sun; Jul 19; 4:00 PM; Michigan Bucks at Toronto Lynx; Hershey Centre

http://www.buckssoccer.com/Schedule/index_E.html

http://www.uslsoccer.com/teams/2009/22344.html

[PDL] For the eighth year in a row, there won't be back-to-back champions in the Premier Development League as the 2010 champion Portland Timbers U-23s failed to make the 2011 playoffs. The Des Moines Menace and Victoria Highlanders became the final two teams to clinch berths in the playoff field of 20 with victories on Sunday night. Conference champions will be crowned at four locations this weekend.

The Long Island Rough Riders (Eastern Conference), Michigan Bucks (Central), Mississippi Brilla FC (Southern) and Fresno Fuego (Western) will host the conference final fours.

Michigan and Des Moines are among six former champions that have qualified for the playoffs.

Fresno (13-0-3) and the Ventura County Fusion (10-0-6) are the only unbeaten teams in the playoffs.

Schedule:
Northeast Division, Final
July 26 in Portland, Maine
MPS Portland vs. New Hampshire
South Atlantic Division, Final
July 26 in Greensboro, N.C.
Carolina vs. Northern Virginia

Mid-Atlantic Division, Final
July 26 in Reading Pa.
Reading United vs. Jersey
Great Lakes Division, Final
July 26 in Bridgeview, Ill.
Chicago Fire Premier vs. Forest City London

Eastern Conference, Semifinals
July 29 in South Huntington, N.Y.
Long Island vs. MPS Portland-New Hampshire winner
Reading United-Jersey winner vs. Carolina-Northern Virginia winner

Central Conference, Semifinals
July 29 in Pontiac, Mich.
Michigan vs. Des Moines
Thunder Bay vs. Chicago Fire Premier-Forest City London winner

Southern Conference, Semifinals
July 29 in Clinton, Miss.
Mississippi Brilla FC vs. Chivas El Paso
Central Florida vs. Laredo Heat on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. CDT.

Western Conference, Semifinals
July 30 in Fresno, Calif.
Fresno vs. Victoria
Kitsap vs. Ventura County