Forward Madison FC put on a magical performance Saturday night, stunning USL League One leaders North Texas SC in a 4-1 demolition in front of over 4,200 fans at Breese Stevens Field. FMFC’s Don Smart led the way, scoring two goals and adding an assist as the Flamingos came from behind and turned the game on its head.
“From the beginning the coach told us not to back off, just keep going, just keep going,” Smart said. “The only way to win this game [was] energy, and all of the guys gave their best out here today and we came out with a victory.”
The win was the perfect way to cap off National Pink Flamingo Day for Forward Madison, which celebrated by giving out 1,008 flamingos, offering special beer fla-MUG-o ticket packages and having a plastic flamingo perform the ceremonial first kick.
Ronaldo Damus gave North Texas an early lead, but Forward Madison played well on the counter-attack to stay even with the league leaders. Despite not fielding a full-strength lineup – USL top scorer Ricardo Pepi was with FC Dallas, and North Texas had just three players on its bench – the visitors were able to control possession early on through Thomas Roberts and Arturo Rodriguez.
However, despite being down a goal, the Flamingos weren’t going to quit easily. The ‘Mingos moved quickly through the middle of the pitch thanks to star midfielder Josiel Núñez, who had returned from a two-game suspension. Núñez hit a hard, low shot in the 34th minute that forced a rebound off goalkeeper Carlos Avilez for Don Smart, and Smart pounced on the ball to level the score.
With the season now truly beginning to kick into full gear, FMFC showcased a more composed style of play as the Flamingos worked out from the back to break North Texas’ press and utilized the confidence of J.C. Banks, who showed off his moves on multiple occasions to keep his team in the danger area.
During the second half, Forward Madison kicked the game into a higher gear. Although North Texas came close from a free kick the 62nd minute and forced goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre into a last-ditch sliding save in the 63rd minute, the visitors began to see their chances fade away.
In the 64th minute, Smart scored his second of the game, with midfielder Brandon Eaton setting up the “King from Kingston” to smash a shot into the top corner and seize the lead.
Núñez, who showed off his playmaking skills all night to the delight of the crowd, padded the score in the 78th minute with a goal that made the game 3-1. Smart set up the Panamanian, who did the rest with a beautiful stepover and a low blast past Avilez at his near post.
The Flamingos continued to fly through the finish line when Banks scored his second goal of the season, sending a smooth drive past the Avilez in the 84th minute.
As if the night couldn’t get any better, midfielder Danny Tenorio subbed on in the 86th minute for his first official minutes as a Flamingo. Tenorio had missed the opening months of the season while recovering from a torn meniscus, but seems set to make his mark as he returns to full match fitness.
With the Flamingos now up to 7th in the USL League One standings, Head Coach Daryl Shore said his team needs to start making a push toward the playoff places.
“We’ve got the best home field advantage in the league, and we told the guys that we need to start rewarding our fans,” Shore said. “We’re starting to play better, we’re a little bit more rested, so [we’ve] got to keep going.”
FMFC will stay at home for a few more days, hosting Major League Soccer club Minnesota United FC in a major exhibition match on Tuesday night that Forward officials expect to draw one of the largest crowds of the season. The Flamingos return to League One play next Friday, June 28, beginning a three-game road stretch with a game against Toronto FC II.
According to Smart, the Flamingos have found their groove and are ready for what’s next.
“[It was a] great return, great performance, all flamingo happy,” Smart said.
Forward Madison FC put on a magical performance Saturday night, stunning USL League One leaders North Texas SC in a 4-1 demolition in front of over 4,200 fans at Breese Stevens Field. FMFC’s Don Smart led the way, scoring two goals and adding an assist as the Flamingos came from behind and turned the game on its head.
“From the beginning the coach told us not to back off, just keep going, just keep going,” Smart said. “The only way to win this game [was] energy, and all of the guys gave their best out here today and we came out with a victory.”
The win was the perfect way to cap off National Pink Flamingo Day for Forward Madison, which celebrated by giving out 1,008 flamingos, offering special beer fla-MUG-o ticket packages and having a plastic flamingo perform the ceremonial first kick.
Ronaldo Damus gave North Texas an early lead, but Forward Madison played well on the counter-attack to stay even with the league leaders. Despite not fielding a full-strength lineup – USL top scorer Ricardo Pepi was with FC Dallas, and North Texas had just three players on its bench – the visitors were able to control possession early on through Thomas Roberts and Arturo Rodriguez.
However, despite being down a goal, the Flamingos weren’t going to quit easily. The ‘Mingos moved quickly through the middle of the pitch thanks to star midfielder Josiel Núñez, who had returned from a two-game suspension. Núñez hit a hard, low shot in the 34th minute that forced a rebound off goalkeeper Carlos Avilez for Don Smart, and Smart pounced on the ball to level the score.
With the season now truly beginning to kick into full gear, FMFC showcased a more composed style of play as the Flamingos worked out from the back to break North Texas’ press and utilized the confidence of J.C. Banks, who showed off his moves on multiple occasions to keep his team in the danger area.
During the second half, Forward Madison kicked the game into a higher gear. Although North Texas came close from a free kick the 62nd minute and forced goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre into a last-ditch sliding save in the 63rd minute, the visitors began to see their chances fade away.
In the 64th minute, Smart scored his second of the game, with midfielder Brandon Eaton setting up the “King from Kingston” to smash a shot into the top corner and seize the lead.
Núñez, who showed off his playmaking skills all night to the delight of the crowd, padded the score in the 78th minute with a goal that made the game 3-1. Smart set up the Panamanian, who did the rest with a beautiful stepover and a low blast past Avilez at his near post.
The Flamingos continued to fly through the finish line when Banks scored his second goal of the season, sending a smooth drive past the Avilez in the 84th minute.
As if the night couldn’t get any better, midfielder Danny Tenorio subbed on in the 86th minute for his first official minutes as a Flamingo. Tenorio had missed the opening months of the season while recovering from a torn meniscus, but seems set to make his mark as he returns to full match fitness.
With the Flamingos now up to 7th in the USL League One standings, Head Coach Daryl Shore said his team needs to start making a push toward the playoff places.
“We’ve got the best home field advantage in the league, and we told the guys that we need to start rewarding our fans,” Shore said. “We’re starting to play better, we’re a little bit more rested, so [we’ve] got to keep going.”
FMFC will stay at home for a few more days, hosting Major League Soccer club Minnesota United FC in a major exhibition match on Tuesday night that Forward officials expect to draw one of the largest crowds of the season. The Flamingos return to League One play next Friday, June 28, beginning a three-game road stretch with a game against Toronto FC II.
According to Smart, the Flamingos have found their groove and are ready for what’s next.
“[It was a] great return, great performance, all flamingo happy,” Smart said.
Forward Madison FC
Head Coach: Daryl Shore
Goalkeeper – Brian Sylvestre #92
Defender- Carl Schneider #23
Defender – Shaun Russell #15
Defender- Connor Tobin #13 (captain)
Defender – Christian Diaz #27 YC
Midfielder – Eric Leonard #3
Midfielder – Josiel Nunez #70 ⚽
Midfielder – Brandon Eaton #6 (68’- #8 Jeff MIchaud)
Forward – Paulo Jr. #11 (89’- #77 Jiro Barriga Toyama)
Forward- J.C. Banks #29 ⚽ (86’- #10 Danny Tenorio)
Forward – Don Smart #7 ⚽⚽
Substitutes
GK- Brandon Barnes #33
M- Ally Hamis Ng’Anzi #12
M- Vital Nigiziyimana #19
M- Jiro Barriga Toyama #77
F- Jeff Michaud #8
F- Danny Tenorio #10
F- Zaire Bartley #17
North Texas SC
Head Coach: Eric Quill
Goalkeeper – Carlos Avilez #1
Defender- Dante Sealy #31
Defender – Brecc Evans #4 (captain)
Defender- Hector Montalvo #5
Defender- Cesar Murillo #2
Midfielder- Alfusainey Jatta #6 (captain)
Midfielder – Michel Garbini Pereira #28
Midfielder – Thomas Toberts #23
Forward- Arturo Rodriguez #10 (90+1’ Kevin Rosas)
Forward- Ronaldo Damus #11⚽
Forward – Oscar Romero #7 (79’- #64 Jesus Sosa)
Substitutes
GK- Eduardo Cortes #34
F- Jesus Sosa #64
D- Kevin Rosas #62
Goals
Forward Madison FC
34’- #7 Don Smart
68’- #7 Don Smart(#8 Brandon Eaton)
78’ #70 Josiel Nunez(#7 Don Smart)
84’- #29 J.C. Banks (#8 Jeff Michaud)
North Texas SC
15’- #11 Ronaldo Damus(#7 Arturo Rodriguez)
Yellow Cards
Forward Madison FC
49’- #29 Christian Diaz
North Texas SC
64’- #6 Alfusainey Jatta
Referees
Luis Arroyo
Ethan Buege
Rachel Smith
Neven Stojsavljevic
Venue
Breese Stevens Field – Madison, WI
Attendance
4,211
Forward Madison FC
Head Coach: Daryl Shore
Goalkeeper – Brian Sylvestre #92
Defender- Carl Schneider #23
Defender – Shaun Russell #15
Defender- Connor Tobin #13 (captain)
Defender – Christian Diaz #27 YC
Midfielder – Eric Leonard #3
Midfielder – Josiel Nunez #70 â½
Midfielder – Brandon Eaton #6 (68’- #8 Jeff MIchaud)
Forward – Paulo Jr. #11 (89’- #77 Jiro Barriga Toyama)
Forward- J.C. Banks #29 â½ (86’- #10 Danny Tenorio)
Forward – Don Smart #7 â½â½
Substitutes
GK- Brandon Barnes #33
M- Ally Hamis Ng’Anzi #12
M- Vital Nigiziyimana #19
M- Jiro Barriga Toyama #77
F- Jeff Michaud #8
F- Danny Tenorio #10
F- Zaire Bartley #17
North Texas SC
Head Coach: Eric Quill
Goalkeeper – Carlos Avilez #1
Defender- Dante Sealy #31
Defender – Brecc Evans #4 (captain)
Defender- Hector Montalvo #5
Defender- Cesar Murillo #2
Midfielder- Alfusainey Jatta #6 (captain)
Midfielder – Michel Garbini Pereira #28
Midfielder – Thomas Toberts #23
Forward- Arturo Rodriguez #10 (90+1’ Kevin Rosas)
Forward- Ronaldo Damus #11â½
Forward – Oscar Romero #7 (79’- #64 Jesus Sosa)
Substitutes
GK- Eduardo Cortes #34
F- Jesus Sosa #64
D- Kevin Rosas #62
Goals
Forward Madison FC
34’- #7 Don Smart
68’- #7 Don Smart(#8 Brandon Eaton)
78’ #70 Josiel Nunez(#7 Don Smart)
84’- #29 J.C. Banks (#8 Jeff Michaud)
North Texas SC
15’- #11 Ronaldo Damus(#7 Arturo Rodriguez)
Yellow Cards
Forward Madison FC
49’- #29 Christian Diaz
North Texas SC
64’- #6 Alfusainey Jatta
Referees
Luis Arroyo
Ethan Buege
Rachel Smith
Neven Stojsavljevic
Venue
Breese Stevens Field – Madison, WI
Attendance
4,211
Forward Madison FC’s inaugural season is here! The team will play its next home game on June 25 vs Minnesota United FC. Get tickets to see Forward Madison’s inaugural season at: https://www.forwardmadisonfc.com/tickets.
Forward Madison FC’s inaugural season is here! The team will play its next home game on June 25 vs Minnesota United FC. Get tickets to see Forward Madison’s inaugural season at: https://www.forwardmadisonfc.com/tickets.
