Forward Madison Falls at Home to One Knoxville SC

Nazeem Bartman’s first half goal proves not enough for FMFC against Knoxville

MADISON, WI: Forward Madison FC played their second home match of the week on Saturday, August 12th. They faced USL League One newcomer One Knoxville SC at historic Breese Stevens Field, with the match kicking off just after 7pm CT. Forward Madison entered this match in second place in the USL League One standings, and One Knoxville SC entered in ninth.

It was an action-pack start within the first few minutes of the half. Between a fair share of committed fouls and close opportunities on goal, both squads started the match determined to bring home three points. In the 17th minute, Forward Madison seemed to have put one in the back of the net off a free kick, but it was called offside. Shortly after in the 22nd minute, FMFC midfielder Aidan Mesias found striker Christian Chaney in the box for a tap in goal; however, the opportunity was also called offside. Two minutes later, One Knoxville capitalized off of a corner kick to put their side up 1-0. The ‘Mingos wouldn’t go down easy because in the 32nd minute, midfielder Jayden Onen played a through ball to striker Nazeem Bartman in the box who buried his shot to tie up the match 1-1. A few moments later, One Knoxville dribbled on the endline, played a ball in the box, and found the back of the net to put Knoxville up 2-1, heading into halftime.

Forward Madison brought the intensity in the second half, continuing to put pressure on One Knoxville’s backline. In the 60th minute, midfielder Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu had an open shot on goal, but One Knoxville’s goalkeeper kept it out of the goal. Both sides made substitutions to enhance their play on the field, and FMFC ramped up the intensity to find the equalizer. An Onen shot in the dying moments of the game was rocketed off the crossbar and Knoxville were able to hold onto their 2-1 lead to best the Flamingos.

“The guts that we showed tonight on short rest was probably one of the best performances that we’ve had since I’ve been at the football club,” FMFC Head Coach Matt Glaeser said. “We had almost 30 shots on target.”

“We still have plenty of work to do to improve,” Glaeser continued. “I think we should feel confident about the group that we have. It’s hard to take tonight’s loss because we played very well.”

Next up, Forward Madison FC travels south to play South Georgia Tormenta SC on Saturday, August 19th at 6:30pm CT. The next time Forward Madison FC plays at Breese Stevens Field is Saturday, September 9th at 7pm CT when they face One Knoxville SC again. Tickets for that match are available here.

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Forward Madison FC Lineup:

#4 Osmond

#5 Mehl

#9 Chaney

#10 Onen

#14 Cichero

#16 Crull

#22 Payne

#23 Mesias

#24 Bartman

#28 Wheeler-Omiunu