A shorthanded FC Buffalo couldn’t overcome a few more bits of adversity as coach Carl Kennedy’s men fell 2-0 to hosts Flint City Bucks in a game moved indoors by poor air quality in Michigan.
Already without forward Leon Tezuka, who was transferred from Flint and unable to face the Bucks, the Blitzers were missing two further players due to midweek injuries.
Some excellent first-half defense limited chances for Flint and Ali Alomari won a dangerous late free kick that could not fool Bucks goalkeeper and MLS veteran Steve Clark.
Flint broke through just before halftime with a lethal incisive pass and clever finish, and took a 2-0 lead on a free kick that dipped over the wall and inside goalkeeper Jack Root’s far post.
The Wolves finished the game with 10 men after Robert Franke was shown a straight red card for a head-to-head confrontation following a dangerous foul from Flint on FCB captain Ashton Jell.
FCB enters the offseason with its most wins over consecutive seasons (14) and a pair of runners-up finishes in the Great Forest Divison.
