FLINT, MI – The Flint City Bucks’ pursuit of a fifth national championship ended in heartbreak Saturday night as Vermont Green FC earned a 2-1 victory in the USL League Two Final in front of 6,396 fans at Atwood Stadium.

The championship match remained scoreless through the first half as the Bucks and the defending champions battled through rainy conditions.

Vermont controlled portions of possession, but Flint City remained disciplined defensively and looked for opportunities to move forward. Bucks goalkeeper Steve Clark (#1) and the Flint defense kept the Green off the scoreboard through the opening 45 minutes.

The match changed during a dramatic 13-minute stretch in the second half.

Vermont took a 1-0 lead in the 63rd minute when a cross into the penalty area was inadvertently deflected into the net by Flint City’s Ellis Jones (#5) for an own goal.

The Bucks responded almost immediately.

Matthew Paiva (#7) headed home the equalizer from close range in the 65th minute, bringing Flint City level at 1-1 and sending the Atwood Stadium crowd into celebration.

The match turned again in the 76th minute. Vermont forward David Ajagbe broke into the penalty area and was brought down by Clark, resulting in a penalty kick for the Green.

Ryan Zellefrow (#27) converted the penalty, striking the ball low to restore Vermont’s lead at 2-1. Zellefrow was later named the 2026 USL League Two Final Most Valuable Player.

The Bucks pushed forward during the closing minutes, searching for another equalizer. Vermont goalkeeper Seth Wilson (#30) and the Green defense protected the lead through five minutes of stoppage time to secure the championship.

The defeat brought a painful conclusion to an outstanding season for Flint City.

The Bucks entered the postseason as Great Lakes Division champions and battled through a demanding playoff field. Flint City defeated FC Buffalo and Steel City FC before delivering a commanding 4-0 victory over Peoria City to capture the club’s 11th conference championship.

A 1-0 victory over Ventura County Fusion in the national semifinal brought the championship match to Atwood Stadium and moved the Bucks within one victory of their fifth League Two title.

Saturday’s result did not go Flint City’s way, but it could not erase everything this group accomplished.

The Bucks won their division, captured the Central Conference championship and reached the final match of a national competition featuring more than 150 clubs. When an unfortunate own goal put Flint City behind, the Bucks responded within two minutes and continued fighting until the final whistle.

That response reflected the determination supporters have come to expect from this club.

Credit belongs to Vermont Green, which completed an undefeated season and became the first club since the Cape Cod Crusaders in 2002 and 2003 to win consecutive USL League Two championships.

Pride also belongs to every Flint City player, coach, staff member, volunteer and supporter who helped make another national championship run possible.

The season ended one victory short of the ultimate goal, but the Bucks once again demonstrated why they remain one of the most successful organizations in USL League Two history.

Flint City remains champion of the Central Conference. It remains one of the league’s premier clubs.

Most importantly, the Bucks remain Flint’s team.