Matt Bolduc has always had a goal. “I always wanted to play professional soccer.” And, regardless of the odds, he did it. Currently playing for Flower City Union in NISA, Matt has played for multiple professional clubs throughout his career. Now he’s part of a blossoming attack for FCU, trying to break through the logjam in the middle of the NISA table. We sat down with Matt to talk about his path to Rochester and his goals for the future.

When he graduated from high school, Bolduc signed to play soccer for the UMass Minutemen, but after a season of college ball, Matt did some thinking. “After my freshman year, I decided that school wasn’t the right fit for me, so I decided to chase my dream of playing pro. There’s an expiration date on an athlete’s career, and there isn’t one for school, so I figured let’s get after it.” He signed with the Harrisburg Islanders, played a season, and then found a long-term spot with the Richmond Kickers, through a former college coach. After a two week trial, he signed a contract with the club in 2017 and played for the Kickers till the end of the 2022 season. That season, and his time with the club, was capped off with a USL League One championship. You can see him warm as he talks about the club. “I spent a good six years in Richmond. I absolutely loved it. It’s the best club in American soccer.”

Matt played for Richmond for six years in USL League One.

But all good things come to an end. Richmond decided to part ways with Matt after the 2022 season. “It was a tough season for me. I didn’t see a lot of minutes. It just wasn’t good enough from my end.” He tried out for a couple of League One clubs but couldn’t find the right fit. And that’s when Flower City Union came calling. Another of Matt’s soccer connections had suggested his name to the NISA club, and they bit.

Before signing with Flower City Union, Matt had heard of the league through Open Cup matchups and knew some players that had come through League One before ending up on NISA rosters. But prior to his signing, his perspective on the league was that he was surprised that the league “was given third tier recognition. The USL is so professional of an organization - everything, from game day training, travel requirements, it’s very regulated. I had heard things about NISA to the contrary.” Since he signed with FCU, “it’s been fine. I have no complaints and I really do like Flower City - the people, the players. There are some really good clubs in NISA. Chattanooga is a good club. Maryland has really good players…there’s good talent in the league, but the whole organization of the league still has some growing to do.”

When Bolduc signed with Flower City, he was part of a roster rebuild that saw several new players come to the club, including last year’s golden boot runner-up, Alione Diakhate. But the offensive rebound hasn’t been instantaneous. Matt is quick to point out the club is still growing. “Any new organization is going to have bumps in the road. And on top of being a new club last year, only three players stayed from last year. So it’s an entirely new club last year and now it’s an entirely new squad this year…it’s tough. It’s tough to get the culture right, to get guys bought in…finding the right pieces, playing together in the right parts of the pitch, it’s taken some time.”

And though the team has struggled to find offense at times, Flower City has shown signs that there is talent up front. In a recent match against Savannah, both goals came on beautifully executed plays, triggered by Malik Stewart’s runs up the right side. Bolduc scored one of those goals with Stewart assisting, while the second goal (scored by Diakhate, on a corner kick) came after Matt almost scored his second. Only the Clover keeper’s last second save prevented his brace. That match stands out as what the offense could be, if things begin to click.

While the team is working to build chemistry and flow, the NISA schedule isn’t helping out. While the team will played four matches in June, it will only play two in July. That sort of inconsistency in scheduling, is slowing positive momentum for Flower City. “I’ve never played a professional season when I’ve had so many weekends off,” Matt commented. “We’ve basically been playing two weekends then having one off. I’ve never seen anything like it…surely there was a way to schedule it where we’d have a game every week. It’s a little bit weird and it throws your preparation off.”

Matt’s connection to Flower City Union has grown beyond his time on the pitch for the NISA squad. This year, FCU launched Flower City 1872 into the UWS. Bolduc is one of the assistant coaches for the squad. He’s enthusiastic when he talks about it. “I’ve really enjoyed it…Coaching women is a totally new experience. I’ve had a lot of fun!” The chance to coach FC1872 is a bridge to coaching after he hangs up the cleats. “I’ve always wanted to stay in soccer, post-playing.”

But until that time comes, Matt has goals for this year’s season. “I don’t love setting expectations, but I have set an expectation for myself, because I have an overall goal of what I want to happen for me next season.” He pauses for a moment and smiles. “It’s more goals than I have now.”

- Dan Vaughn