INTERNATIONAL SOCCER: Atlas Football Club U-23 delivers on one shot on goal in edging the Flint City Bucks

FLINT, Mich. – One.

Visiting Atlas Football Club U-23 traveled some 2,500 miles from Guadalajara, Mexico, to create just one shot on goal.

In the end, Atlas F.C. scored just one goal and that was enough to shut down the Flint City Bucks in a 1-0 victory in an international men’s soccer friendly match Wednesday at historic Atwood Stadium at Kettering University near downtown Flint, Michigan. 

And the one goal came from one crucial mistake by the Bucks’ backfield that later would cost them the match.

Flint City Bucks – a national powerhouse in the USL League Two circles for some three decades – dominated play and possession throughout but it was a misplayed ball in the backfield that resulted in the game’s only goal. 

A passback went between two Bucks defenders who both hesitated to collect the ball, which rolled into space behind Flint City’s center backs. Eric Villegas raced behind the defense, scooped up the loose ball, and went in on a breakaway before slipping a shot past Bucks goalkeeper Jamie Berry just seconds into the 16th minute.

The only other shot attempt Atlas F.C. could muster on the night was a shot well over the crossbar about 10 minutes into the second half. The one scoring chance will stand the test of time.

In an intense match that featured eight yellow cards, physical play from end to end, and a combined 30 fouls – 15 apiece for each side – the attack by Flint City came in wave after wave. But each time the Atlas F.C. defense stood tall and goalkeeper Luis Hernandez patrolled his  box with authority.

Hernandez recorded seven official saves in the match, but was not bashful of coming off his line to corral set pieces, cornerkicks, crosses and long throw-ins sent into the mixing bowl. The Flint City Bucks consistently flooded the final third of the field for 90-plus minutes.

The Flint City Bucks came into the match with a 7-2-0 overall record in 2025, including 5-2-0 in the USL League Two Great Lakes Division – and had a 23-6 overall scoring edge this season with four shutouts, including three clean sheets and a 15-5 differential on the scoreboard in USL League Two games.

On this night, the Bucks were simply stymied and could not finish on a wide variety of chances.

The Flint City Bucks dominated possession for nearly 90 percent of the match and posted an 18-2 overall shots advantage, including 7-1 with shots on goal, and even held a commanding 6-1 edge off cornerkicks – all to no avail.

Atlas F.C. was comfortable putting several players back within 30 yards from the goal and defended like crazy before walking out of Atwood Stadium with the stunning 1-0 victory despite being dominated.