Forward Madison returns home to Breese Stevens Field for the first home U.S. Open Cup match in the club’s history on Wednesday night at 7pm. The Flamingos will welcome Cleveland SC of the NPSL for a 2nd round matchup. Cleveland defeated Chicago FC United 2-1 in the opening round of the Open Cup on March 22nd.
Forward Madison began their USL League One season this past Saturday in Chattanooga with a 1-1 draw. Newcomer Nazeem Bartman scored a 95’ minute goal to equalize the score for FMFC after a back and forth match.
Tickets are available now for this match, learn more about the U.S. Open Cup here.
Coaches and US Open Cup Records
Forward Madison FC (0-0-0)
Head Coach: Matt Glaeser
Cleveland SC (1-0-0)
Head Coach: Lewis Dunne
Key Players to Watch:
Forward Madison:
Nazeem Bartman: The South African Forward, who shot the equalizing goal against Chattanooga Red Wolves FC, is ready to stir up Cleveland’s back line. With his creativity with the ball and amazing technique he looks forward to scoring more goals for the pink and blue. Look out for #24 on the pitch.
Eric Leonard: Eric Leonard is back for another season with Forward Madison. In the 2021 USL League 1 season Leonard was first on the team with most interceptions and second with the most clearences showing how valuable he is for the pink and blue defense.
Mitch Osmond: Another defender to watch will be Mitch Osmond. The 6’2’’ Australian has a presence like no other. Osmond was named USL League 2 Defender of the Year in 2017 and River States Conference Defender of the Year in 2018.
Key Match Up
Goalkeeper vs Goalkeeper: For this game we are looking at a battle of the goalkeepers. Clevelands goalkeeper Conor Cable had a great match in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup against Chicago FC United, making several stops to keep Cleveland in the game and producing a kick save in the 120’ to prevent a penalty shootout. Phil Breno on the other side had a great season opener against Chattanooga, making a save and two clearances. Both goalkeepers want to get a clean sheet and will try their best to organize their players from between the posts.
Keys to the Match
- Mentality: An U.S. Open Cup game is always full of surprises. One of the decision making factors is the players mentality. The Flamingos have shown in their season opener against the Red Wolves that they are ready to fight until the game is over and that they will keep pushing until the end.
- Discipline: Forward Madison has welcomed a lot of new players this season. It will be very important for everyone to be disciplined on the pitch and to be focused on fulfilling their tasks, after having only limited time together in Madison.
- Creativity: To win a match you have to be creative. You need different solutions and approaches to the challenges your opponent tries to give you. Players like Nazeem Bartman and Mikey Maldonado bring that creativity to the pitch and are always ready to make a surprising move on the opponent.
USL League One Table
Previous and Next Match
FMFC played their last match against Chattanooga Red Wolves FC, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Next up for the Flamingos is their home opener against Union Omaha on April 9th at 7:00 p.m. CT.
Cleveland SC triumphed 2-1 over Chicago FC United in the U.S. Open Cup First Round. Their first NPSL game will be against FC Buffalo on May 14th at 7:00 p.m.
