USL League One – Game 15
Forward Madison FC @ Union Omaha
Saturday, August 7, 2021; 7:00 p.m. CT
Werner Park- Omaha, Neb.
Where to Watch
ESPN+
Follow @ForwardMSNFC on Twitter and Instagram for live updates
Keep track of the official stats on the USL League One Match Center
Forward Madison travels to Omaha,Neb for its fourth and final regular season meet-up against USL League One leaders, Union Omaha. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. CT.
Last Saturday the Flamingos picked up another point with their 1-1 draw against second place team, Chattanooga Red Wolves at Chattanooga. The Red Wolves were off to a fiery start when José Carrera-Garcia scored in the sixth minute of play, however their 1-0 lead was short-lived when forward Noah Fuson scored the equalizer, and his second consecutive goal of the season, with a header from the center box that was assisted by Derek Gebhard.
Alongside Noah’s incredible equalizer midfielder, Jesus Perez, also made his USL League One debut and according to assistant coach, Neil Hlavaty has already made a significant impact.
“Chino is a special player,” said Hlavaty. “I think there are only a few players on every team in this league and you could say in the world where they have an ability to make it at any point in the game and Chino’s that kind of player.’
“Carl and I are in agreement where we like the kind of player who uses their brain more than anything else, who can think the game quicker, faster, and can read situations faster and that’s where we see a lot of value in Chino,” said Hlavaty.
With last weekend’s draw, Forward Madison sits in 9th place with 19 points in USL League One standings.
Since Forward Madison’s last match against Union Omaha, the Owls have maintained their lossless streak and first place standing. The Flamingos are looking to pick up their second win against the Owls as they are 1-1-1. Omaha’s forward, Greg Hurst, continues to lead the team in goals scored and is the second-highest goal scorer in the league with 9.
In addition to working hard on the field, Coach Hlavaty alongside fellow coaches are also emphasizing a positive team mentality so that the players feel confident taking and executing the chances they create on the pitch.
“As a coaching staff Carl, Emerson, Jim and myself, we’re constantly looking at video and constantly showing the players video of things that we do well, and why and why we do them well, and why it works,” said Hlavaty. “When the players continue to see why certain structures and movements work, they do them more and more often and I think they gain confidence through those movements and confidence in their teammates.”
Chino Perez also noted how the positive team chemistry on the pitch contributes to their ability to have a strong in-game performance for Saturday and the rest of the season.
“Everything just works organically and the chemistry is is nice, the guys just get along together so well and I think it’s just going to implement and carry over to the field a lot more and once I started to get a lot more comfortable than I am right now with the guys I feel like it’s just gonna get even better and better and we’re going to be pushing for that playoff spot I mean we have goals as a team to, to reach that playoff spot and host post a playoff game here, you know, and we just, just keep going, that’s really our biggest focus but right now just, you know, getting on the road and get a win at Omaha and just keep going from there to be honest,” said Perez.
Following this road match, the Flamingos are back at Breese for a four-game stretch beginning with an exhibition against the UW-Madison men’s soccer team on Tuesday, August 10.
