SIX BUCKS FOR A DRAFT?  WHAT A DEAL!!!!!  2 MORE GO TO MLS

 2008 SCHEDULE RELEASED; BUCKS CHRISTEN NEW STADIUM MAY 17

January 25, 2008

Pontiac, MI -  If the Michigan Bucks have half the success this summer that they have had off the field since last August, it promises to be another stellar year for the powerhouse franchise.   In the past week, the Bucks have had six former players drafted to Major League Soccer (MLS) in this year's Super Draft and yesterday's Supplemental Draft.  The record setting draft for the Bucks brings the total to 25 former players since 1999 that have been selected and given an opportunity in this country's highest soccer environment.  Between last Friday's Super Draft in Baltimore and yesterday's draft, the most storied PDL franchise in history announced another first when team Chairman and CEO Dan Duggan announced that the Bucks will play their thirteenth season in their new $17 million home at Ultimate Soccer Arenas.  The United Soccer Leagues (USL) also announced the 2008 PDL schedule, which has the Bucks opening at home on Saturday, May 17 (7:30 PM kickoff) against the West Virginia Chaos.  When asked about his phenomenal week, Duggan was all smiles from his brand new office in Pontiac.  "To say this week has been a great week for the entire Bucks family is an understatement," said the proud owner.  "I couldn't be happier for the six young men who all have worked hard for the past four years in college to have the opportunity they have today.  They are all going to report to training camp with their respective teams and be given the chance to fulfill their dream.  It doesn't get any better than that."   When asked about moving into the largest indoor facility of its kind in North America to call home, he added "just look around- everything here is first class.  This place is nicer than some of the NBA or NHL facilities I have visited.  I can't wait to have it finished and have our first training session here.  This is what our organization has worked so hard for the past twelve years.  Now we can fulfill more dreams than ever before."

Following the four Bucks selected last Friday, (Dominic Cervi, Eric Brunner, George Josten and Rauwshan McKenzie), Ohio State forward Xavier Balc was the second pick chosen by Toronto FC in the Supplemental Draft.  Six selections later the New England Revolution picked Bucks leading scorer Kheli Dube (Coastal Carolina) to try and add to a roster that has seen several stars move on.  Ironically, it could be Dube who replaces former Revolution and Michigan Bucks star Pat Noonan, who signed in Norway for next season.  Noonan led the Revs to the US Open Cup title this past summer and to the MLS Cup final, where they were defeated by the Houston Dynamo for the second season in a row.  Although Noonan will leave the US to further enhance his professional career, he still remains a part of Bob Bradley's squad with the US National team pool.  Balc's stock was said to be slipping due to a below average Combine performance, but the Big Ten Player of the Year has the talent to earn a roster spot in Toronto.  Meanwhile, New England coach Steve Nicol may have stolen the player of the draft in Big South Player of the Year, Dube.  Not only a fan favorite for the Bucks, Kheli was the heart and soul of last year's team that made it to back to back championship games in Laredo.  Continued Duggan, "Kheli's work ethic will earn him a spot playing professional soccer somewhere in the world.  Most people don't realize that we played the championship game this past year without Kheli, due to a severe leg injury suffered in the semi-final game against Brooklyn.  This kid would have played on one leg if we would have let him.  I'm not one to sit around and say, "If only" but if Kheli plays the final against Laredo, I believe we score goals."

Now the question turns to the 2008 version of the Michigan Bucks.  One would think that with six players moving on to MLS, there would be major holes to fill.  Bucks third year head coach Dan Fitzgerald didn't seem as concerned about 2008 as he was for 2007.  "I am so proud of the boys for what they have accomplished in their college careers.  We had six college All Americans and two first team Academic All Americans on last year's team.  There is no question that we have big shoes to fill.  We have been out doing our recruiting and scouting since August and as we sit today, we could have a better team on paper than 2007.  That is a scary thought, but I also realize that the games will be played on the field, not on paper.  And I love our new field by the way," joked the coach who will be attempting to become the first coach in league history to lead his team to the championship game in three consecutive seasons.

BUCKS CHRISTEN NEW DIGS WITH HOME OPENER ON MAY 17

The United Soccer Leagues (USL) released the 2008 Premier Development League (PDL) schedule that will have all 67 teams in North American play 16 regular season games between May and July.  Playoffs will commence the weekend of July 25-27 with the four Conference Final Fours, followed by two Semi-Final games on Saturday, August 2 and the North American PDL Championship Match to be played on Saturday, August 9 and televised nationally on Fox Soccer Channel.  Hosts of all playoff games are determined between a bidding process and the league executive committee. 

The Bucks will open their thirteenth season at Ultimate Soccer Arena, where they will christen their new $17 million home for the first time.  Tickets for Opening Night and all single games this year go on sale after April 1.  Ticket prices and packages will be announced in the coming weeks.  The Bucks will have a special night where fans can come and choose their season tickets prior to any single game tickets being released.  The 2,000 seat stadium will have 500 premium mid field seats available initially to loyal Bucks fans and those subscribed to the Bucks Insider newsletter.  Season ticket packages will give the fan the exact same seats to all seven regular season home matches at Ultimate Soccer Arenas, first priority to purchase those same seats for all US Open Cup matches, MLS games, the Bucks exhibition with the Columbus Crew and any playoff games the Bucks would host in 2008.  Michigan is also scheduled to play its second home game on Saturday, May 24 at 4:00 PM as part of the Canton Cup Memorial Day Soccer tournament for the second year in a row.   Fans should mark their calendars now, as the Bucks will be selling tickets to two back to back weekends of premier college soccer, which will feature many of the 2007/2008 Michigan Bucks in uniform with their respective college teams.  On Saturday, March 29 Oakland University will be hosting University of Detroit-Mercy, followed by the Michigan Wolverines against NAIA powerhouse Lindsey Wilson College. 

The next week the Bucks will host the College Cup between Indiana, Michigan, Oakland and Michigan State on Saturday, April 5.  Complete schedules and ticket information for all the top caliber soccer will be posted to the Bucks web site in the next thirty days.