Forward Madison FC vs. Minnesota United FC
Wednesday, April 20th, 2022; 6:00 p.m. CT
Location: Breese Stevens Field
Follow @ForwardMSNFC on Twitter and Instagram for live updates
Forward Madison will battle MLS club, Minnesota United FC, on Wednesday, April 20th at 6:00 pm CT! The U.S. Open Cup 3rd Round matchup will take place at Breese Stevens Field. After a strong showing against Cleveland SC, the Flamingos will look to advance to the 4th Round, which would be the club’s best run in the U.S. Open Cup in the history of the team. This match also holds historical significance as it’s the first competitive match against an MLS side in Madison.
In Forward Madison’s 3-0 victory against Cleveland SC in the second round, Justin Sukow (37’), Cesar Murillo Jr. (45+1’), and Nazeem Bartman (68’) all managed to tally goals to help the Flamingos advance to the third round!
Minnesota United FC will play their first match in the 2022 U.S. Open Cup against Forward Madison. Tickets are available now for this match. Learn more about the U.S. Open Cup here.
Coaches and 2022 Records
Forward Madison FC (0-0-3) – USL League One
Head Coach: Matt Glaeser
Minnesota United FC (3-2-2) – MLS
Head Coach: Adrian Heath
Key Players to Watch:
Forward Madison:
Phil Breno: The 26-year-old goalkeeper didn’t face much of a challenge against Cleveland SC, saving the only two shots on goal by Cleveland. Minnesota United is averaging over one goal per game against opponents in the MLS this season, so Breno will need to step up and make some big saves to help the Flamingos advance.
Derek Gebhard: The striker has had a strong start to his USL League One season thus far as his passing accuracy is 77.2% and he helped draw a penalty kick in the box which led to a goal. After an impressive performance against the defending USL League One champs, expect Gebhard to be fired up for a match with Minnesota United.
Rojay Smith: The Jamaican forward has been a key piece for Forward Madison all season, as his speed has led to plenty of chances for the Flamingos. Smith’s speed on the wing will be crucial against a Minnesota club that has struggled to control possession in their most recent MLS matches.
Key Match Up
FMFC Wingbacks vs. MUFC Wingbacks
Forward Madison will have to rely heavily on their wingbacks against the Minnesota United if they hope to persevere. FMFC has shown that they play through their wings, so the Flamingo wingbacks will need to control possession of the ball, push the ball on counterattacks, and remain defensively solid. A bulk of the pressure will be put on Rojay Smith and Derek Gebhard to lead the FMFC wingbacks against a MUFC team that lost a key wingback from last season.
Expect Minnesota United to rely on wing play to feed the ball into their attack. Look for a player like Bongokuhle Hlongwane to try to make a big impact for the Loons in this match. For a squad that has put in 8 goals thus far in the MLS season, play on the wings has been a key driver of success for the Loons thus far. This match will likely come down to which club’s wing backs bring the most energy. Expect a tough battle on the wing.
Keys to the Match
- Hot start: Forward Madison took a little time to find their rhythm against Cleveland SC, but once they found their rhythm they didn’t look back. If the Flamingos can get on the board early, they should be able to get into a groove that’ll allow them to coast on for the victory.
- High energy: In order to beat a team like Minnesota United, you have to bring the energy. FMFC will need some high energy plays that will pump some energy into the crowd which will in turn further help the club. Players like Derek Gebhard and Rojay Smith have brought the energy in the past, and they’ll need to continue to do so in this critical match.
- Tenacity: Although the Flamingos face a big challenge in that they are playing against an MLS club, FMFC will need to stick to their system to get past this obstacle. Forward Madison’s back line must stay tenacious to hold off the Loons.
Previous and Next Match
Forward Madison’s most recent U.S. Open Cup match featured a 3-0 win over Cleveland SC. Their most recent USL League One match was a 1-1 draw against FC Tucson. Whether or not the Flamingos advance to the 4th Round, their next match will be a friendly against the UW-Men’s Soccer Team on Saturday, April 23rd, 2022!
As for Minnesota United, they’re coming off a 3-1 win against Colorado Rapids. MUFC will take on Chicago Fire FC on Saturday, April 23rd, 2022.
