Saturday, October 7, 2023; 8pm CT
Location: Future Legends Stadium, Windsor, Colorado
Follow @ForwardMSNFC on Twitter for live match updates
Forward Madison FC plays their last regular season away game this Saturday, October 7th. They’ll travel to Colorado to face second-place Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC for the third time this season. The ‘Mingos are still in playoff contention and will look to come back to Wisconsin with three points. The match is set to kick off just after 8pm CT.
Coaches and USL League One 2023 Records:
Forward Madison FC (11-9-10)
Head Coach: Matt Glaeser
Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (16-6-8)
Head Coach: Éamon Zayed
Key Players to Watch:
Isidro Martinez: On Saturday, Martinez made the starting eleven for the first time in almost two months since being injured. With his return, Martinez led the attack for FMFC, who were dangerous in the final third against Lexington. His ability to distribute through the middle and play long balls over the top will be crucial for Forward’s offense as they push for playoffs.
Derek Gebhard: Gebhard’s goal against Lexington was his sixth of the season, and sparked a dormant FMFC offense. Look for him to bring pace and passion on the left side against a strong Northern Colorado defense.
Bernd Schipmann: The last time these two teams faced, Schipmann recorded his twelfth clean sheet of the season, currently tied for most in the league. The FMFC goalkeeper will need to have another shutout game to keep the ‘Mingos playoff hopes intact. Look for him to come up with big saves against a dangerous Hailstorm offense, led by the league’s top goalscorer, Trevor Amann.
Key Match Up:
The ‘Mingos Offense vs. Hailsorm Defense: Hailstorm’s defense is tied with Forward for most clean sheets on the season (12) and has only conceded 36 goals thus far. This Saturday, FMFC will need to find ways to score against one of the stronger defensive units in the league. Attacking players like Christian Chaney and Nazeem Bartman will need to step up and create pressure in the final third.
Key to the Match:
Must-Win Mentality: With two matches left and South Georgia Tormenta FC two points behind Forward in the standings, the ‘Mingos will need to play a full 90 minutes with a must-win mentality. The team will need to produce points in Colorado this weekend to improve their playoff chances.
Previous and Next Match:
The Flamingos come into this match after a 2-2 draw against Lexington SC. Next up, Forward Madison FC play their last home game at historic Breese Stevens on Saturday, October 14th. They’ll face rivals Union Omaha at 6pm CT to close out the regular season. Tickets for the match are available here.
