Saturday, October 21, 2023; 8pm CT
Location: Future Legends Stadium, Windsor, Colorado
Follow @ForwardMSNFC on Twitter for live match updates
Forward Madison FC kicks off their playoff run with a quarterfinal matchup against Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC. The ‘Mingos enter this match as the sixth seed, three places below their opponents. This will be the fourth time these two teams will have faced each other this season, and Forward will look to snap their winless streak against Hailstorm.
Coaches and USL League One 2023 Records:
Forward Madison FC (11-11-10)
Head Coach: Matt Glaeser
Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (18-6-8)
Head Coach: Éamon Zayed
Key Players to Watch:
Christian Chaney: The FMFC leading goal scorer hasn’t scored since August 26th and will need to ignite a spark as Forward enters the knockout round. Look for Chaney to create chances on frame, either in the air or on the ground. He will be the primary target the Flamingos will look for when beginning their attack.
Isidro Martinez: After being sidelined for a few weeks due to injury, Martinez has begun to consistently make his way back into the starting eleven. With his return, Martinez continues to lead the attack for FMFC through his distribution abilities. Look for the ‘Mingos to transition and switch through Martinez in the middle.
Jake Crull: In 2021, Crull helped his then-squad, Union Omaha, win their first USL League One Cup. Now, as the Flamingos look to bring home a trophy, Crull’s experience in big moments will be crucial to the squad. Look for him to be a leader on and off the field.
Key Match Up:
The ‘Mingos Offense vs. Hailsorm Defense: Hailstorm’s defense leads the league in most clean sheets on the season (13) and has only conceded 37 goals thus far. This Saturday, FMFC’s struggling offense will need to find ways to score against one of the stronger defensive units in the league. Attacking players like Christian Chaney and Derek Gebhard will need to step up and create pressure in the final third.
Key to the Match:
New Season, New Beginnings: The playoffs represent a new season with new stakes. For Forward Madison, they will need to forget all that’s happened earlier, move forward, and work together with a new goal in mind: win a championship trophy. Despite having a losing record against Northern Colorado this season, Forward Madison has the chance to rewrite the script and build a new story to cap off 2023.
Previous Match and Watch Party:
The Flamingos come into this match after a 0-1 loss to Union Omaha last Saturday at Breese Stevens Field. To watch the match on Saturday, tune in to ESPN+ or head to the Forward Club for the biggest watch party this season, presented by Terrapin. Doors open at 7pm CT, with the match kicking off at 8pm CT. Food and beverages will be available to purchase at the door. RSVP here.
