Mitten State Sports Report

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Michigan Bucks vs Chicago Fire

On Saturday night, the Michigan Bucks met up with the Chicago Fire in a PDL showdown at Saline High School!

Bucks midfielder #9 Quincy Thomas gets involved in physical play with Chicago's #95 Anthony Torres!

Bucks midfielder #6 Will Walker possesses the ball while being chased by Fire defenseman #97 Keaton Albert!

Over 900 fans attended Saturday's soccer match in Saline!

Jason Stokes cashes in on the penalty kick for a Bucks goal!

#21 Adam Montague chases down #74 Trevor Wheeler for the ball!

Bucks defenseman #24 Alec Cochran moves with the action!

The Michigan Bucks captured the 4-1 victory over the Chicago Fire!

For more info on the Michigan Bucks click on http://www.buckssoccer.com/

For more info on the Premier Development League click on http://pdl.uslsoccer.com/

Leave a comment! Email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Pro Level Soccer in Saline

Luis Medina handles the ball for the visiting Chicago Fire!

     Last Saturday night, Saline High School hosted an outdoor professional soccer match featuring the Michigan Bucks against the Chicago Fire. Both teams play in the PDL (Premier Development League) and represent a high quality level of soccer. The Michigan Bucks are the official minor league affiliate of the Columbus Crew (Major League Soccer), and have already sent up four players this season. The Bucks are a combination of unpaid professional players, along with college all-stars, and in their brief history have had 50 players drafted by Major League Soccer clubs, and 85 former Buck players have gone on to play some form of professional soccer.
     The Michigan Bucks played their first PDL season in Saginaw back in 1995, and were known as the Mid-Michigan Bucks. The Bucks have won three regular season PDL Championships (2000, 2008, 2012), one North American PDL Title (2006), and are the only PDL team with over 200 team victories. The Michigan Bucks are the most successful soccer club in the history of this state, and also represent the highest level of soccer being played in Michigan.

The Bucks #25 Zach Steinberger shadows Chicago's Luis Medina!

This was the first professional soccer game that I have ever attended, and it was way more fun then I ever would have anticipated. The Bucks usually play their home games indoors at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, but it was nice to be able to experience the event outside in its natural form. The weather was more then cooperative (76%, sunny with a cool breeze), and the visiting bleacher section was nearly empty. I sat in the fourth row at the 50 yard line, and even got involved in the action by defensively smacking the ball away when it came directly for the Mitten State Sports Report.

Chicago's #95 Anthony Torres takes a seat near midfield!

As for the actual game itself, the Michigan Bucks were able to defeat the Chicago Fire 4-1, and improve to 4-1-0 on the season with 12 points. The PDL's leading scorer Zach Steinberger scored two goals, while Thomas Catalano, and Jason Stokes each added a goal for the Bucks. Daniel Keller scored the lone goal for the Chicago Fire. The Bucks are currently tied for first place in the PDL Great Lakes Division, while the Chicago Fire fell to last place in the division with 3 points and a current record of 1-4. The Michigan Bucks are 6-0-1 against the Chicago Fire in their last seven meetings.

Chicago's #74 Trevor Wheeler looks to impress the pro scouts!

For more info on the Michigan Bucks click on http://www.buckssoccer.com/

For more info on the PDL click on http://pdl.uslsoccer.com/

Leave a comment! Email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Taylor United vs Rochester United

On Thursday night, Taylor United hosted Rochester United (Red 40) at Heritage Park, in Taylor.

Both teams compete against each other in the MUSL (Michigan United Soccer League).

Rochester United's (Red 40) goalie makes the save!

Taylor United defeated Rochester United (Red 40) 6-3.

For more info on the MUSL click on http://www.musl.net

Leave a comment! Email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com

Monday, June 10, 2013

MUSL Showdown in Taylor!

On Thursday night, Taylor United hosted Rochester United (Red 40) at Heritage Park, in Taylor.

     On Thursday night, Heritage Park in Taylor was the venue for a Michigan United Soccer League (MUSL) showdown between Taylor United and Rochester United (Red 40). Both teams are divisional rivals, and compete against one another in the (over 40) Division 2 of the MUSL. Every team in the MUSL competes for a chance to hoist the MUSL Founders Cup during championship games in August.
     Taylor United was victorious, doubling up Rochester by a score of 6-3. Taylor United controlled the tempo, and kept the pressure on Rochester all game. Even when they were not scoring goals, Taylor United was attempting high quality shots, while consistently breaking down Rochester United's defense. Rochester United's goalie left the game early in the second half, and did not return after sustaining an injury that left him hobbled.
     Taylor United is owned and operated by Khalid Hamodi and is currently in 3rd place in their division with 7 points, and an overall record of 2-1-1. Rochester United (Red 40) is owned and operated by Blair Morrison and is currently in 7th place (of 8 teams) in their division with 1 point, and an overall record of 0-2-1. Rochester United's (Red 40) Antonio Esquivel leads the division in penalty points with 2, and also in yellow cards with 1.
     Heritage Park in Taylor is located on Pardee, between Goddard and Northline. It is the home of the Junior League World Series (featured on ESPN), Summer, and Fall Festivals, and contains a 1.1 mile walking trail, a petting farm, historical buildings, and even has a catch and release fishing pond.

For more information about the Michigan United Soccer League click on http://www.musl.net

Leave a comment! Email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Motley's vs FSC Broncos Photos

On Wednesday night, Motley's played the FSC Broncos in a MUSL matchup at Founders Sports Park in Farmington Hills!

It's a lonely feeling for the goaltender when goals are given up!

It's time to celebrate!

The action was non-stop!

The game ended in a 2-2 tie.

For more information about the Michigan United Soccer League click on http://www.musl.net

Leave a comment! Email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com

Saturday, June 8, 2013

MUSL Action in Farmington Hills!

On Wednesday night, Motley's squared off against the FSC Broncos in a MUSL showdown..

     On Wednesday night, Founders Sports Park in Farmington Hills played host to a Michigan United Soccer League (MUSL) showdown between Motley's and the FSC Broncos. Both teams are divisional rivals, and compete against one another in the (over 40) 3rd Division West, which is one of several divisions that compete for a chance to win the annual MUSL Founders Cup. The MUSL has several divisions, and separate groups for different ages. On Wednesday night, both teams found the back of the net twice, and the game ended in a 2-2 tie.
     Motley's is owned and operated by Phillip Livernois, and has a current record of 2-0-1. They are currently in 3rd place in their division with 7 points. Altin Nanaj leads the team and the division in scoring with 5 goals. The FSC Broncos are owned and operated by Dennis Ryan, and are currently in 4th place in their division with 4 points, and a record of 1-1-1. John Altgelt leads the FSC Broncos in scoring with 3 goals.
     Founders Sports Park in Farmington Hills is a spacious park that offers facilities for several recreational activities including baseball, softball, basketball, sand volleyball, bocce ball, shuffle board, soccer, disc golf, and much more. Founders Sports Park is located on the north side of eight mile, just east of Halsted.

For more info on the MUSL click on http://www.musl.net

Leave a comment or email the Mitten State Sports Report directly at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com

Friday, June 7, 2013

Did You Know About The MUSL?

The Michigan United Soccer League has thousands of members spanning six counties in Michigan!

     I will be the first to admit that I am not a big soccer fan. I didn't watch soccer growing up, I've never followed the sport, (except during the World Cup) and I've never once played the game, or claim to even know all of the rules. That being said, I was recently researching recreational, and community baseball leagues in the area when I discovered the website for the Michigan United Soccer League (MUSL). I was amazed to discover how large the MUSL was, along with how long they have been around. The MUSL began in 1979 and is currently the largest adult soccer league in the state of Michigan (one of the largest in the country) with over 2000 members, 110 teams, and 5 different age groups. The MUSL plays in six different counties in Michigan, and plays games at some of the nicest parks in the Metro Detroit area. Founders Sports Park in Farmington Hills, Heritage Park in Taylor, and Bi-Centennial Park in Livonia are just a few of the parks that host league play. Some league games are also played indoors on arena type surfaces at places like the Total Sports Wixom Dome, and the Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac which was the first arena to ever install anti-microbial artificial turf which fights the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew.
     The Michigan United Soccer League has separate divisions for different age groups including an over 30 group, an over 40 group, an over 48 group, an over 55 group, and an open age division. Each team plays about fifteen games a year including tournament games for a chance to hoist the MUSL Founders Cup. The divisions are set up so that teams can compete locally without constant, ridiculous travel arrangements. If you would like to know more about the Michigan United Soccer League click on the link below.

For more info on the MUSL click on http://www.musl.net

Leave a comment! Email the Mitten State Sports Report directly at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com

May Poll Results!

                      Here are the poll results for the month of May! The poll question was:

Which of the following starting pitchers will win the most games in the regular season this year for the Detroit Tigers?



                                       Here are the choices along with the results!

Max Scherzer                                                     60%

Annibal Sanchez                                                33%

Doug Fister                                                        7%

                                        Be sure to check out this months Poll Question!

                                                          June Poll Question

                   Will Jose Valverde be the Detroit Tigers closer on September 1st?

                                                              How to vote?

1. Log onto the Mitten State Sports Report!

2. Click on your favorite post!

3. Scroll down and locate the poll question!

4. Vote!

Thanks for all your votes! Leave a comment! Email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Best of April 2013!

     The month of April included thirteen posts covering college baseball, Plymouth Whalers hockey, and auto racing at Flat Rock Speedway.  Here is a list of the top three most viewed posts during the month of April. Be sure to check out all of the archived material. You can also leave a comment or email the Mitten State Sports Report directly at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com


                                                        Best of April 2013

1. "Opening Night At Flat Rock Speedway 2013" posted 4/30/2013

2. "Michigan vs Notre Dame Diamond Edition!" posted 4/22/2013

3. "Whalers Playoffs 1st Round, Game 1" posted 4/25/2013

Thanks for viewing all of your favorite posts at the Mitten State Sports Report!

Monday, June 3, 2013

Top 10 Most Viewed! 100th Post!

     For the Mitten State Sports Report's 100th all time post, I have decided to post a top ten list of the most viewed posts of all time! The top ten is always changing, but auto racing at Flat Rock Speedway, Plymouth Whalers hockey, and local professional wrestling remain on the list and continue to earn consistent views. Here is the top ten most viewed posts of all time. Leave a comment or email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com

          First, here are a few honorable mentions of highly viewed posts that did not make the list!

                                                          Honorable Mentions!

"Senior Day At Oestrike Stadium" posted 5/9/2012