USL League One – Game 5
Forward Madison FC vs Toronto FC II
Saturday, May 4, 2019; 7:00 p.m. CT
Breese Stevens Field – Madison, WI
Where to Watch
ESPN+
Follow @ForwardMSNFC on Twitter for live updates
Keep track of official stats on the USL League One match center
Forward Madison FC will follow up on its inaugural home opener Saturday night at Breese Stevens Field by looking for its first home win against Toronto FC II (7 p.m., ESPN+), one of two teams still undefeated in USL League One play. In contrast to the opening night snowstorm, FMFC is expected to have be warm and sunny weather this weekend. At the time of writing, Madison is projected to be 64° with no chance of rain at kickoff time Saturday.
Click here to see the Gameday Guide for Saturday!
Head Coach Daryl Shore, appearing on “Let Me Be Forward” this week, said that FMFC didn’t come out strong enough in the first half last week against Greenville Triumph, which contributed to the team’s eventual 0-0 draw. If the Flamingos want to win this time, that’s got to change.
“[We have to] look to get a goal early and really put the pressure on them to play at our place,” Shore said. “[We’re] looking forward to getting back out there, looking forward to having our fans again, and on our end we’re looking forward to rewarding them this weekend with the three points.”
Forward Madison will be aided by the return of several key players to its squad. J.C. Banks, Wyatt Omsberg and Don Smart are all available again for Shore’s selection. On the other hand, defenders Christian Díaz and Shaun Russell are both out with groin injuries. Midfielder Danny Tenorio continues to rehabilitate from his meniscus tear, while goalkeeper Brandon Barnes has been sidelined by a finger injury.
In Toronto FC II, the Flamingos come up against an opponent that has not lost in its three opening matches. Toronto is led by its captain, Tsubasa Endoh, a 25-year-old winger who has split time between TFC II and its parent club, Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC.
Toronto topped Lansing Ignite FC 2-0 last weekend despite controlling less than 30 percent of possession. According to Shore, Toronto poses a threat, but the Flamingos are more than capable of getting their first home victory.
“They’ve got some veteran guys who know how to handle tough situations, and they’ve gotten off to a good start, so it’s going to be a tough game for us,” Shore said. “But we’re at home. Our thought process this week is we’re going to take the game to them.”
FMFC will have little time for rest following Saturday’s game, travelling to Milwaukee on Tuesday for the team’s first-ever U.S. Open Cup matchup against Milwaukee Bavarian SC. If the Flamingos win there, they’ll earn a trip to Texas to take on El Paso Locomotive FC on May 15.
Forward Madison FC’s inaugural season is here! The team will play its next home game on May 4 vs Toronto FC II. Get tickets to see Forward Madison’s inaugural season at: https://www.forwardmadisonfc.com/tickets.
USL League One – Game 5
Forward Madison FC vs Toronto FC II
Saturday, May 4, 2019; 7:00 p.m. CT
Breese Stevens Field – Madison, WI
Where to Watch
ESPN+
Follow @ForwardMSNFC on Twitter for live updates
Keep track of official stats on the USL League One match center
Forward Madison FC will follow up on its inaugural home opener Saturday night at Breese Stevens Field by looking for its first home win against Toronto FC II (7 p.m., ESPN+), one of two teams still undefeated in USL League One play. In contrast to the opening night snowstorm, FMFC is expected to have be warm and sunny weather this weekend. At the time of writing, Madison is projected to be 64° with no chance of rain at kickoff time Saturday.
Click here to see the Gameday Guide for Saturday!
Head Coach Daryl Shore, appearing on “Let Me Be Forward” this week, said that FMFC didn’t come out strong enough in the first half last week against Greenville Triumph, which contributed to the team’s eventual 0-0 draw. If the Flamingos want to win this time, that’s got to change.
“[We have to] look to get a goal early and really put the pressure on them to play at our place,” Shore said. “[We’re] looking forward to getting back out there, looking forward to having our fans again, and on our end we’re looking forward to rewarding them this weekend with the three points.”
Forward Madison will be aided by the return of several key players to its squad. J.C. Banks, Wyatt Omsberg and Don Smart are all available again for Shore’s selection. On the other hand, defenders Christian Díaz and Shaun Russell are both out with groin injuries. Midfielder Danny Tenorio continues to rehabilitate from his meniscus tear, while goalkeeper Brandon Barnes has been sidelined by a finger injury.
In Toronto FC II, the Flamingos come up against an opponent that has not lost in its three opening matches. Toronto is led by its captain, Tsubasa Endoh, a 25-year-old winger who has split time between TFC II and its parent club, Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC.
Toronto topped Lansing Ignite FC 2-0 last weekend despite controlling less than 30 percent of possession. According to Shore, Toronto poses a threat, but the Flamingos are more than capable of getting their first home victory.
“They’ve got some veteran guys who know how to handle tough situations, and they’ve gotten off to a good start, so it’s going to be a tough game for us,” Shore said. “But we’re at home. Our thought process this week is we’re going to take the game to them.”
FMFC will have little time for rest following Saturday’s game, travelling to Milwaukee on Tuesday for the team’s first-ever U.S. Open Cup matchup against Milwaukee Bavarian SC. If the Flamingos win there, they’ll earn a trip to Texas to take on El Paso Locomotive FC on May 15.
Forward Madison FC’s inaugural season is here! The team will play its next home game on May 4 vs Toronto FC II. Get tickets to see Forward Madison’s inaugural season at: https://www.forwardmadisonfc.com/tickets.
