News

USL League One – Game 9
Forward Madison FC vs Lansing Ignite FC
Saturday, June 1, 2019; 7:00 p.m. CT
Breese Stevens Field – Madison, WI

Where to Watch
ESPN+
Follow @ForwardMSNFC on Twitter for live updates
Keep track of official stats on the USL League One match center

Get your tickets now!

Forward Madison is under pressure to get back to winning ways as it takes on Lansing Ignite FC on Saturday, June 1 at 7 p.m. at Breese Stevens Field. The Flamingos have dropped two straight games in USL League One, but remain just three points out of playoff position.

Speaking on Let Me Be Forward this week, Head Coach Daryl Shore said he isn’t satisfied with FMFC’s early results in league play.

“We know it’s not a must-win game, but it’s a ‘we need to win’ game,” Shore said. “We’re going to be dissatisfied if we don’t come out of the Lansing game with three points.”

Not only is Saturday’s game significant in the league table, but it’s also important for the fans, as Lansing represents FMFC’s closest geographical opponent. Supporters from both The Flock (Madison) and the Assembly Line (Lansing) will be hoping to rub in bragging rights over the other by the time the final whistle blows.

Forward Madison comes into the game with significantly less rest, having just played a U.S. Open Cup match in Saint Louis on Wednesday night. The Flamingos fell 3-1 to USL Championship side Saint Louis FC despite starting a strong lineup, so Shore will now have to balance his personnel preferences with the need for rotation. Still, with Madison leading League One in attendance by nearly 1,000 fans per game, whichever players Shore chooses should get an extra boost from the typically raucous Breese crowd.

“We feel like games at home, we need three points in all of them,” Shore said. “Sometimes maybe we’ll settle for a point, but those really aren’t going to be good enough.”

Lansing, meanwhile, sits in eighth place in USL League One, two points above Forward Madison with one more game played. The Ignite are stuck in a rut of their own, having failed to win any of their previous six league matches. Lansing recently got some outside help, however, from Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire, which added the Ignite as an affiliate team last week. The deal opens up the possibility for Lansing to receive loan players from Chicago for the game on Saturday and beyond.

Saturday’s game carries importance off the field as well, with Forward Madison set to host its first-ever Pride Night to support and celebrate Madison’s LGBTQ+ community. FMFC is offering a special Pride ticket package for the match, which includes an FMFC Pride t-shirt along with a grandstand ticket to the game. Connor Tobin, the Flamingos’ captain, is participating for a third consecutive year in “Playing for Pride,” the annual fundraiser founded by North Carolina FC midfielder Austin da Luz. Tobin will also wear a special Pride armband during the game.

Following its game against Lansing, the Flamingos will head north for an exhibition match against new USL League 2 club Green Bay Voyageurs FC on June 5 before continuing its USL League One schedule away to Orlando City B on June 7. For now, though, all the focus within the squad is on beating Lansing this Saturday.

“Whenever you’re sitting in ninth place in a ten-team table, you’re not satisfied,” Shore said. “We do know that this is a big game.”

Forward Madison FC’s inaugural season is here! The team will play its next home game on June 1 vs Lansing Ignite FC. Get tickets to see Forward Madison’s inaugural season at: https://www.forwardmadisonfc.com/tickets.

USL League One – Game 9
Forward Madison FC vs Lansing Ignite FC
Saturday, June 1, 2019; 7:00 p.m. CT
Breese Stevens Field – Madison, WI

Where to Watch
ESPN+
Follow @ForwardMSNFC on Twitter for live updates
Keep track of official stats on the USL League One match center

Get your tickets now!

Forward Madison is under pressure to get back to winning ways as it takes on Lansing Ignite FC on Saturday, June 1 at 7 p.m. at Breese Stevens Field. The Flamingos have dropped two straight games in USL League One, but remain just three points out of playoff position.

Speaking on Let Me Be Forward this week, Head Coach Daryl Shore said he isn’t satisfied with FMFC’s early results in league play.

“We know it’s not a must-win game, but it’s a ‘we need to win’ game,” Shore said. “We’re going to be dissatisfied if we don’t come out of the Lansing game with three points.”

Not only is Saturday’s game significant in the league table, but it’s also important for the fans, as Lansing represents FMFC’s closest geographical opponent. Supporters from both The Flock (Madison) and the Assembly Line (Lansing) will be hoping to rub in bragging rights over the other by the time the final whistle blows.

Forward Madison comes into the game with significantly less rest, having just played a U.S. Open Cup match in Saint Louis on Wednesday night. The Flamingos fell 3-1 to USL Championship side Saint Louis FC despite starting a strong lineup, so Shore will now have to balance his personnel preferences with the need for rotation. Still, with Madison leading League One in attendance by nearly 1,000 fans per game, whichever players Shore chooses should get an extra boost from the typically raucous Breese crowd.

“We feel like games at home, we need three points in all of them,” Shore said. “Sometimes maybe we’ll settle for a point, but those really aren’t going to be good enough.”

Lansing, meanwhile, sits in eighth place in USL League One, two points above Forward Madison with one more game played. The Ignite are stuck in a rut of their own, having failed to win any of their previous six league matches. Lansing recently got some outside help, however, from Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire, which added the Ignite as an affiliate team last week. The deal opens up the possibility for Lansing to receive loan players from Chicago for the game on Saturday and beyond.

Saturday’s game carries importance off the field as well, with Forward Madison set to host its first-ever Pride Night to support and celebrate Madison’s LGBTQ+ community. FMFC is offering a special Pride ticket package for the match, which includes an FMFC Pride t-shirt along with a grandstand ticket to the game. Connor Tobin, the Flamingos’ captain, is participating for a third consecutive year in “Playing for Pride,” the annual fundraiser founded by North Carolina FC midfielder Austin da Luz. Tobin will also wear a special Pride armband during the game.

Following its game against Lansing, the Flamingos will head north for an exhibition match against new USL League 2 club Green Bay Voyageurs FC on June 5 before continuing its USL League One schedule away to Orlando City B on June 7. For now, though, all the focus within the squad is on beating Lansing this Saturday.

“Whenever you’re sitting in ninth place in a ten-team table, you’re not satisfied,” Shore said. “We do know that this is a big game.”

Forward Madison FC’s inaugural season is here! The team will play its next home game on June 1 vs Lansing Ignite FC. Get tickets to see Forward Madison’s inaugural season at: https://www.forwardmadisonfc.com/tickets.

Forward Madison FC’s inaugural U.S. Open Cup campaign came to an end Wednesday night, as the Flamingos fell 3-1 to Saint Louis FC on the road. FMFC advanced further than any other USL League One team in the tournament, which earned them a $25,000 prize.

Despite the match being played several hundred miles away on a weeknight, a handful of Forward fans made the trip, singing and chanting throughout the game. According to Head Coach Daryl Shore, his team used their energy to fight back after a poor start.

“Our guys didn’t give up,” Shore said. “They kept fighting, and that’s indicative of what our fans are about. They keep us going.”

The Flamingos fell behind quickly, conceding two goals in the opening 10 minutes to Saint Louis. Paris Gee capitalized on a misplayed clearance in the 2nd minute, while Guy Abend collected on a ball deflected into the middle of the box.

“[I’m] disappointed that we started the game the way we did,” Shore said. “It’s important to have a good start, and it’s a competition where you know if you lose you’re done.”

After its shaky start, FMFC found solid footing. The Flamingos nearly forced an own goal that rebounded off the post in the 24th minute, and Don Smart had a close-range opportunity that went just wide in the 36th minute.

Smart made good on another chance just two minutes later, pulling FMFC into the game before halftime. Midfielder Jeff Michaud played a long ball from his own half through the defensive line, and Smart ran onto it to get a one-on-one chance against Saint Louis goalkeeper Tomas Gomez. Smart still had work to do to beat Gomez at his near post, but rifled his shot perfectly into the top corner.

In the second half, the ‘Mingos could never quite make the comeback happen. Josiel Núñez had one of the best opportunities with a free kick around 25 yards out from goal. His shot, though smashed straight into the Saint Louis wall.

With FMFC still searching for an equalizer, Saint Louis’ Russell Cicerone all but sealed the result with a headed goal off a corner kick in the 72nd minute.

Forward Madison will return home on Saturday, hosting Lansing Ignite FC in USL League One play at Breese Stevens Field. The Flamingos are just two points behind their Midwestern foes, and could move within touching distance of a playoff place with a win.

“[We] had some good moments, but then we give up the third goal and it’s hard to come back from a two-goal deficit when there’s only 20 minutes left,” Shore said. “Now we’ve got to get home and concentrate on the league. We’ve got to start climbing the table.”

Saint Louis FC
Tomas Gomez; Matt Bahner (yellow 56’), Sam Fink, Phaunuel Kavita, Paris Gee; Lewis Hilton, Oscar Umar (yellow 51’), Guy Abend [Nichi Vlastos 80’]; Russell Cicerone, Kyle Greig [Austin Martz 61’], Kadeem Dacres [Kippy Keller 88’]

Unused Substitutes
Jake Fenlason, Patrick Schulte, Jansen Miller, Lawson Redmon

Forward Madison FC
Brian Sylvestre; Shaun Russell [Brian Bement 67’], Eric Leonard, Connor Tobin, Christian “Pato” Díaz; J.C. Banks, Jeff Michaud (yellow 82’), Josiel Núñez; Jiro Barriga Toyama [Brandon Eaton 88’], Don Smart (goal 38’), Paulo Júnior

Unused Substitutes
Ryan Coulter, Carl Schneider, Vital Nizigiyimana, Ally Hamis Ng’anzi, Zaire Bartley

Venue
Toyota Stadium – Fenton, MO

Attendance
1,206

Forward Madison FC’s inaugural U.S. Open Cup campaign came to an end Wednesday night, as the Flamingos fell 3-1 to Saint Louis FC on the road. FMFC advanced further than any other USL League One team in the tournament, which earned them a $25,000 prize.

Despite the match being played several hundred miles away on a weeknight, a handful of Forward fans made the trip, singing and chanting throughout the game. According to Head Coach Daryl Shore, his team used their energy to fight back after a poor start.

“Our guys didn’t give up,” Shore said. “They kept fighting, and that’s indicative of what our fans are about. They keep us going.”

The Flamingos fell behind quickly, conceding two goals in the opening 10 minutes to Saint Louis. Paris Gee capitalized on a misplayed clearance in the 2nd minute, while Guy Abend collected on a ball deflected into the middle of the box.

“[I’m] disappointed that we started the game the way we did,” Shore said. “It’s important to have a good start, and it’s a competition where you know if you lose you’re done.”

After its shaky start, FMFC found solid footing. The Flamingos nearly forced an own goal that rebounded off the post in the 24th minute, and Don Smart had a close-range opportunity that went just wide in the 36th minute.

Smart made good on another chance just two minutes later, pulling FMFC into the game before halftime. Midfielder Jeff Michaud played a long ball from his own half through the defensive line, and Smart ran onto it to get a one-on-one chance against Saint Louis goalkeeper Tomas Gomez. Smart still had work to do to beat Gomez at his near post, but rifled his shot perfectly into the top corner.

In the second half, the ‘Mingos could never quite make the comeback happen. Josiel Núñez had one of the best opportunities with a free kick around 25 yards out from goal. His shot, though smashed straight into the Saint Louis wall.

With FMFC still searching for an equalizer, Saint Louis’ Russell Cicerone all but sealed the result with a headed goal off a corner kick in the 72nd minute.

Forward Madison will return home on Saturday, hosting Lansing Ignite FC in USL League One play at Breese Stevens Field. The Flamingos are just two points behind their Midwestern foes, and could move within touching distance of a playoff place with a win.

“[We] had some good moments, but then we give up the third goal and it’s hard to come back from a two-goal deficit when there’s only 20 minutes left,” Shore said. “Now we’ve got to get home and concentrate on the league. We’ve got to start climbing the table.”

Saint Louis FC
Tomas Gomez; Matt Bahner (yellow 56’), Sam Fink, Phaunuel Kavita, Paris Gee; Lewis Hilton, Oscar Umar (yellow 51’), Guy Abend [Nichi Vlastos 80’]; Russell Cicerone, Kyle Greig [Austin Martz 61’], Kadeem Dacres [Kippy Keller 88’]

Unused Substitutes
Jake Fenlason, Patrick Schulte, Jansen Miller, Lawson Redmon

Forward Madison FC
Brian Sylvestre; Shaun Russell [Brian Bement 67’], Eric Leonard, Connor Tobin, Christian “Pato” Díaz; J.C. Banks, Jeff Michaud (yellow 82’), Josiel Núñez; Jiro Barriga Toyama [Brandon Eaton 88’], Don Smart (goal 38’), Paulo Júnior

Unused Substitutes
Ryan Coulter, Carl Schneider, Vital Nizigiyimana, Ally Hamis Ng’anzi, Zaire Bartley

Venue
Toyota Stadium – Fenton, MO

Attendance
1,206

U.S. Open Cup – Round 3
Forward Madison FC at Saint Louis FC
Wednesday, May 29, 2019; 7:00 p.m. CT
Toyota Stadium – Fenton, MO

Where to Watch
ESPN+
Follow @ForwardMSNFC on Twitter for live updates
Keep track of official stats on the USL League One match center

Forward Madison FC will play what is possibly the most important game in the club’s young history on Wednesday night, as it takes the field at Toyota Stadium in Fenton, Mo. for its third-round U.S. Open Cup game against Saint Louis FC. If FMFC can earn a victory, it will advance to play a Major League Soccer team in the fourth round.

As the last surviving USL League One team in the Open Cup, Forward Madison has had to do it all on the road so far. The Flamingos beat Milwaukee Bavarian SC 2-0 in the first round, then battered El Paso Locomotive FC 3-0 in Texas, earning 25,000 dollars in prize money in the process. Round Three is the last stage of the tournament before MLS teams enter, and only nine lower-division clubs across the country will emerge from it.

If Forward Madison wins, it will find out its MLS opponent – as well as whether it will host that team at Breese Stevens Field – in a draw the next day. FMFC would play on June 11 or 12 against a regional opponent.

The Flamingos are arriving extra early in St. Louis, getting there on Monday to order to get in a few extra training sessions and familiarize themselves with the playing surface at Toyota Field. According to Head Coach Daryl Shore, his team understands the magnitude of the occasion.

“We know it’s one and done,” Shore said. “We believed that we [could] go to El Paso and get a result, but we knew it was going to be hard. We believe that we can go to St. Louis and get a result, but we know it’s going to be hard. There’s no pressure on us. Nobody expects us to win, except for maybe our club.”

FMFC is in the middle of congested schedule, and rotated players for its previous game last Friday, an exhibition match against German Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin.

Saint Louis FC beat the Des Moines Menace on penalty kicks to advance to this round of the Open Cup. Saint Louis currently sits in fifth place in the USL Championship Eastern Conference, and has only lost one game all year, making the team a formidable opponent. In fact, FMFC has already seen Saint Louis in action this year, having suffered a 1-0 defeat at Toyota Stadium during preseason.

According to forward and St. Louis native Brian Bement, the Flamingos are a better team now.

“The last time we played them we were not even a week into preseason, and we battled hard,” Bement said. “Obviously we’ve been training a lot more, kind of clicking a little bit and we can use this energy [from the Hertha Berlin exhibition] and just kind of ride the wave into Wednesday.”

Following its U.S. Open Cup game in Saint Louis, FMFC will return home Saturday for a USL League One game against its closest geographic opponent, Lansing Ignite FC.

Forward Madison FC’s inaugural season is here! The team will play its next home game on June 1 vs Lansing Ignite FC. Get tickets to see Forward Madison’s inaugural season at: https://www.forwardmadisonfc.com/tickets.

U.S. Open Cup – Round 3
Forward Madison FC at Saint Louis FC
Wednesday, May 29, 2019; 7:00 p.m. CT
Toyota Stadium – Fenton, MO

Where to Watch
ESPN+
Follow @ForwardMSNFC on Twitter for live updates
Keep track of official stats on the USL League One match center

Forward Madison FC will play what is possibly the most important game in the club’s young history on Wednesday night, as it takes the field at Toyota Stadium in Fenton, Mo. for its third-round U.S. Open Cup game against Saint Louis FC. If FMFC can earn a victory, it will advance to play a Major League Soccer team in the fourth round.

As the last surviving USL League One team in the Open Cup, Forward Madison has had to do it all on the road so far. The Flamingos beat Milwaukee Bavarian SC 2-0 in the first round, then battered El Paso Locomotive FC 3-0 in Texas, earning 25,000 dollars in prize money in the process. Round Three is the last stage of the tournament before MLS teams enter, and only nine lower-division clubs across the country will emerge from it.

If Forward Madison wins, it will find out its MLS opponent – as well as whether it will host that team at Breese Stevens Field – in a draw the next day. FMFC would play on June 11 or 12 against a regional opponent.

The Flamingos are arriving extra early in St. Louis, getting there on Monday to order to get in a few extra training sessions and familiarize themselves with the playing surface at Toyota Field. According to Head Coach Daryl Shore, his team understands the magnitude of the occasion.

“We know it’s one and done,” Shore said. “We believed that we [could] go to El Paso and get a result, but we knew it was going to be hard. We believe that we can go to St. Louis and get a result, but we know it’s going to be hard. There’s no pressure on us. Nobody expects us to win, except for maybe our club.”

FMFC is in the middle of congested schedule, and rotated players for its previous game last Friday, an exhibition match against German Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin.

Saint Louis FC beat the Des Moines Menace on penalty kicks to advance to this round of the Open Cup. Saint Louis currently sits in fifth place in the USL Championship Eastern Conference, and has only lost one game all year, making the team a formidable opponent. In fact, FMFC has already seen Saint Louis in action this year, having suffered a 1-0 defeat at Toyota Stadium during preseason.

According to forward and St. Louis native Brian Bement, the Flamingos are a better team now.

“The last time we played them we were not even a week into preseason, and we battled hard,” Bement said. “Obviously we’ve been training a lot more, kind of clicking a little bit and we can use this energy [from the Hertha Berlin exhibition] and just kind of ride the wave into Wednesday.”

Following its U.S. Open Cup game in Saint Louis, FMFC will return home Saturday for a USL League One game against its closest geographic opponent, Lansing Ignite FC.

Forward Madison FC’s inaugural season is here! The team will play its next home game on June 1 vs Lansing Ignite FC. Get tickets to see Forward Madison’s inaugural season at: https://www.forwardmadisonfc.com/tickets.

A sold-out, record crowd of 4,731 packed Breese Stevens Field Friday night to watch Forward Madison take on one of Germany’s major soccer clubs, Hertha Berlin. The Flamingos fell to a 4-0 defeat in the international friendly, but the game was a winner for the fans in attendance.

According to FMFC forward Brian Bement, the atmosphere at Breese was undeniable.

“These fans are the best in the league without a doubt, I’ve said it multiple times,” Bement said. “It’s not even close honestly. I mean, they just have so much energy. Obviously there were more people today which brings more energy, but I just love playing here. It’s an absolute blast and  they bring it every single day.”

Even the Hertha players, who played to an average attendance of nearly 50,000 this season, came out of the match with compliments for the Forward fans. Javairô Dilrosun, who scored the first goal of the game for this visitors, said the noise of the crowd impressed him.

“I think it was a good atmosphere, you [could] hear the crowd and it was nice for them,” he said. “We came in and gave them a game and I think it was a good game. I enjoyed it.”

For Forward Madison, the match was a chance to give minutes to all the players on its roster during a congested time in the season schedule. Vital Nizigiyimana, the only player to make the team from open tryouts, started for the first-ever time. Several players from USL League 2’s Green Bay Voyageurs, which shares ownership with FMFC, also filled in as guest players.

Hertha Berlin took a 2-0 lead in the first half, showing a convincing performance worthy of the team’s status in the German Bundesliga. The match began with steady control from Berlin through Per Skjelbred and and Maurice Covic, before Salomon Kalou took control from the left wing. The Ivorian’s play lead to multiple chances throughout the match, and resulted in the first goal as he set up Dilrosun for a perfect curler past a diving Ryan Coulter in the 25th minute.

The Flamingos were able to generate a few chances down the right side, as Christian Díaz came close to playing in Zaire Bartley, Brian Bement and Paulo Júnior. The closest Forward Madison came to scoring in the first half did, in fact, come through a Paulo chance, as he found himself in front of goal and forced a save from goalkeeper Thomas Smarsch.

Hertha’s second goal came courtesy of an opportunistic Fabian Lustenberger, who capitalized on a misplayed save from Ryan Coulter at the start of first-half stoppage time.

In the second half, substitutions for both sides resulted in a much more open game that created chances for both the ‘Mingos in and the Berliners. Hertha’s third goal came courtesy of a Davie Selke penalty, the former German youth national team player sending Brandon Barnes the wrong way after Maximilian Mittelstadt drew a foul in the box. Midfielder Marko Grujic scored the final goal, unleashing an unstoppable shot past Barnes to seal the result.

According to FMFC Head Coach Daryl Shore, his players loved having the chance to play against such high-level opposition.

“We told [our players], you have an opportunity to showcase yourselves [not just] as individuals, but also to showcase our club, our city and our fan base,” Shore said. “The guys were excited. A lot of them didn’t want to come out, a lot of them wanted to keep playing, but we had to be smart about minutes.”

The Flamingos will be back in action next Wednesday, playing perhaps their most important game of the year – away to Saint Louis FC in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup, with the winner earning a game against a Major League Soccer team as its prize.

“We’re up for a challenge, and this is going to be one,” Shore said. “We’ll give them a couple of days to kind of decompress, and then we’re back in Monday.”

Forward Madison FC
Head Coach: Daryl Shore
Goalkeeper – Ryan Coulter  #1 (46’ #33 Brandon Barnes)
Defender- Carl Schneider #23 (46’ – # 77 Jiro Barriga Toyama)
Defender – Connor Tobin (captain) #13 (34’- #15 Shaun Russell)
Defender- Eric Leonard #3
Defender – Christian “Pato” Diaz #27
Midfielder – Vital Nizigiyimana #19 (72’ – #19 J.C. Banks)
Midfielder – Ally Hamis Ng’Anzi #12
Midfielder – Josiel Núñez  #70 (46’ – #6 Brandon Eaton)
Forward – Zaire Bartley #17 (72’ – #4 George Morris)
Forward- Paulo Jr #11 (63’- #24 Dani Morillo)
Forward – Brian Bement #14

Substitutes
GK- Brandon Barnes #33
D- Shaun Russell #15
D- Alex Glavas #5 (guest player)
D- George Morris #4 (guest from Green Bay Voyageurs FC)
M- Brandon Eaton #6
M- J.C. Banks #29
M- Dani Morillo #24 (guest from Green Bay Voyageurs FC)

Hertha Berlin
Head Coach: Pal Dardai
#2 Peter Pekarik (69 – #20 Valentino Lazaro)
#3 Per Skjelbred (46’ – #15 Marko Grujic⚽)
#5 Niklas Stark (46’ – #4 Karim Rekik)
#8 Salomon Kalou (46’ – #27 Davie Selke PK⚽)
#12 Dennis Smarsch
#14 Pascal Kopke
#16 Javairo Dilrosun ⚽
#17 Maximilian Mittelstadt
#25 Jordan Torunarigha
#28 Fabian Lustenberger⚽ (46’ – #21 Marvin Plattenhardt)
#34 Maurice Covic (69’ – #1 Thomas Kraft)

Substitutes
#1 Thomas Kraft
#4 Karim Rekik
#15 Marko Grujic
#20 Valentino Lazaro
#21 Marvin Plattenhardt
#27 Davie Selke

Goals

Hertha Berlin
25’ #16 Javairo Dilrosun (#8 Salomon Kalou)
45 + 1’ Fabian Lustenberger
58’ #27 Davie Selke (PK)
80’ #15 Marko Grujic

Referees
Calin Radosav
Ryan Shanklin
Neven Stojsavljevic
Thomas De Mers

Attendance
4,731 (sellout)

A sold-out, record crowd of 4,731 packed Breese Stevens Field Friday night to watch Forward Madison take on one of Germany’s major soccer clubs, Hertha Berlin. The Flamingos fell to a 4-0 defeat in the international friendly, but the game was a winner for the fans in attendance.

According to FMFC forward Brian Bement, the atmosphere at Breese was undeniable.

“These fans are the best in the league without a doubt, I’ve said it multiple times,” Bement said. “It’s not even close honestly. I mean, they just have so much energy. Obviously there were more people today which brings more energy, but I just love playing here. It’s an absolute blast and  they bring it every single day.”

Even the Hertha players, who played to an average attendance of nearly 50,000 this season, came out of the match with compliments for the Forward fans. Javairô Dilrosun, who scored the first goal of the game for this visitors, said the noise of the crowd impressed him.

“I think it was a good atmosphere, you [could] hear the crowd and it was nice for them,” he said. “We came in and gave them a game and I think it was a good game. I enjoyed it.”

For Forward Madison, the match was a chance to give minutes to all the players on its roster during a congested time in the season schedule. Vital Nizigiyimana, the only player to make the team from open tryouts, started for the first-ever time. Several players from USL League 2’s Green Bay Voyageurs, which shares ownership with FMFC, also filled in as guest players.

Hertha Berlin took a 2-0 lead in the first half, showing a convincing performance worthy of the team’s status in the German Bundesliga. The match began with steady control from Berlin through Per Skjelbred and and Maurice Covic, before Salomon Kalou took control from the left wing. The Ivorian’s play lead to multiple chances throughout the match, and resulted in the first goal as he set up Dilrosun for a perfect curler past a diving Ryan Coulter in the 25th minute.

The Flamingos were able to generate a few chances down the right side, as Christian Díaz came close to playing in Zaire Bartley, Brian Bement and Paulo Júnior. The closest Forward Madison came to scoring in the first half did, in fact, come through a Paulo chance, as he found himself in front of goal and forced a save from goalkeeper Thomas Smarsch.

Hertha’s second goal came courtesy of an opportunistic Fabian Lustenberger, who capitalized on a misplayed save from Ryan Coulter at the start of first-half stoppage time.

In the second half, substitutions for both sides resulted in a much more open game that created chances for both the ‘Mingos in and the Berliners. Hertha’s third goal came courtesy of a Davie Selke penalty, the former German youth national team player sending Brandon Barnes the wrong way after Maximilian Mittelstadt drew a foul in the box. Midfielder Marko Grujic scored the final goal, unleashing an unstoppable shot past Barnes to seal the result.

According to FMFC Head Coach Daryl Shore, his players loved having the chance to play against such high-level opposition.

“We told [our players], you have an opportunity to showcase yourselves [not just] as individuals, but also to showcase our club, our city and our fan base,” Shore said. “The guys were excited. A lot of them didn’t want to come out, a lot of them wanted to keep playing, but we had to be smart about minutes.”

The Flamingos will be back in action next Wednesday, playing perhaps their most important game of the year – away to Saint Louis FC in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup, with the winner earning a game against a Major League Soccer team as its prize.

“We’re up for a challenge, and this is going to be one,” Shore said. “We’ll give them a couple of days to kind of decompress, and then we’re back in Monday.”

Forward Madison FC
Head Coach: Daryl Shore
Goalkeeper – Ryan Coulter  #1 (46’ #33 Brandon Barnes)
Defender- Carl Schneider #23 (46’ – # 77 Jiro Barriga Toyama)
Defender – Connor Tobin (captain) #13 (34’- #15 Shaun Russell)
Defender- Eric Leonard #3
Defender – Christian “Pato” Diaz #27
Midfielder – Vital Nizigiyimana #19 (72’ – #19 J.C. Banks)
Midfielder – Ally Hamis Ng’Anzi #12
Midfielder – Josiel Núñez  #70 (46’ – #6 Brandon Eaton)
Forward – Zaire Bartley #17 (72’ – #4 George Morris)
Forward- Paulo Jr #11 (63’- #24 Dani Morillo)
Forward – Brian Bement #14

Substitutes
GK- Brandon Barnes #33
D- Shaun Russell #15
D- Alex Glavas #5 (guest player)
D- George Morris #4 (guest from Green Bay Voyageurs FC)
M- Brandon Eaton #6
M- J.C. Banks #29
M- Dani Morillo #24 (guest from Green Bay Voyageurs FC)

Hertha Berlin
Head Coach: Pal Dardai
#2 Peter Pekarik (69 – #20 Valentino Lazaro)
#3 Per Skjelbred (46’ – #15 Marko Grujic⚽)
#5 Niklas Stark (46’ – #4 Karim Rekik)
#8 Salomon Kalou (46’ – #27 Davie Selke PK⚽)
#12 Dennis Smarsch
#14 Pascal Kopke
#16 Javairo Dilrosun ⚽
#17 Maximilian Mittelstadt
#25 Jordan Torunarigha
#28 Fabian Lustenberger⚽ (46’ – #21 Marvin Plattenhardt)
#34 Maurice Covic (69’ – #1 Thomas Kraft)

Substitutes
#1 Thomas Kraft
#4 Karim Rekik
#15 Marko Grujic
#20 Valentino Lazaro
#21 Marvin Plattenhardt
#27 Davie Selke

Goals

Hertha Berlin
25’ #16 Javairo Dilrosun (#8 Salomon Kalou)
45 + 1’ Fabian Lustenberger
58’ #27 Davie Selke (PK)
80’ #15 Marko Grujic

Referees
Calin Radosav
Ryan Shanklin
Neven Stojsavljevic
Thomas De Mers

Attendance
4,731 (sellout)

MATCHDAY! If you don't have your ticket yet, get it now! 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
All fans who enter Breese Stevens Field MUST pass through a metal detector. Please arrive early to allow for extra time to make your way through security and to your seat. REMINDER: umbrellas are not allowed at Breese Stevens Field, please leave them in your car or at home. We play rain or shine! We will be monitoring the weather closely, and if there are any changes to the match we will post on our website and our social media platforms. 

BOX OFFICE OPENS: 4:00 PM – if you have tickets available at Will Call, this is when you can come pick them up. 

OFFICIAL PRE-GAME RESTAURANT: Stop by the Avenue Club before the game for food and drink!

GATES OPEN: 6:00 PM 

ARRIVAL AT THE STADIUM: For those of you driving to the game, please see the parking map for lots in the area. Be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to safely arrive at Breese Stevens Field and get to your seat. 

BAG POLICY: We kindly ask fans to follow our bag policy in regards to match safety and to allow for the quick and smooth entry of fans into the stadium. There are strict limitations on what bags are allowed at Breese Stevens Field. Types of bags that are allowed in the stadium:
-bags smaller than 12” x 12” x 12” such as a small purse or personal bag. No backpacks.
-1-gallon plastic freezer bags
-Medically necessary bags and diaper bags

PLEASE DO NOT bring these types of bags:
-backpacks
-camera cases
-large purses
-binoculars case
-Folding chair bag
-Mesh bags
-Over-sized tote bags

CONCESSIONS: Our main concessions and beer stands are located on the West end of the stadium. Our menu, including items created by three of Madison's celebrity chefs: Tory Miller, Patrick DePula & Daniel Bonanno, will be available for fans to try! 

OFFICIAL POST-GAME PARTY:t Tonight we are partying at High Noon Saloon following the game! There will be polka, dancing, and beer – you can find all the info for the party in the Facebook invite.

For a full A to Z guide on our stadium policies, please click here! 

If you have any issues or concerns about the game, please don't hesitate to reach out to our front office team at: 608-204-0855 or info@https://www.forwardmadisonfc.com

MATCHDAY! If you don’t have your ticket yet, get it now! 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
All fans who enter Breese Stevens Field MUST pass through a metal detector. Please arrive early to allow for extra time to make your way through security and to your seat. REMINDER: umbrellas are not allowed at Breese Stevens Field, please leave them in your car or at home. We play rain or shine! We will be monitoring the weather closely, and if there are any changes to the match we will post on our website and our social media platforms. 

BOX OFFICE OPENS: 4:00 PM – if you have tickets available at Will Call, this is when you can come pick them up. 

OFFICIAL PRE-GAME RESTAURANT: Stop by the Avenue Club before the game for food and drink!

GATES OPEN: 6:00 PM 

ARRIVAL AT THE STADIUM: For those of you driving to the game, please see the parking map for lots in the area. Be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to safely arrive at Breese Stevens Field and get to your seat. 

BAG POLICY: We kindly ask fans to follow our bag policy in regards to match safety and to allow for the quick and smooth entry of fans into the stadium. There are strict limitations on what bags are allowed at Breese Stevens Field. Types of bags that are allowed in the stadium:
-bags smaller than 12” x 12” x 12” such as a small purse or personal bag. No backpacks.
-1-gallon plastic freezer bags
-Medically necessary bags and diaper bags

PLEASE DO NOT bring these types of bags:
-backpacks
-camera cases
-large purses
-binoculars case
-Folding chair bag
-Mesh bags
-Over-sized tote bags

CONCESSIONS: Our main concessions and beer stands are located on the West end of the stadium. Our menu, including items created by three of Madison’s celebrity chefs: Tory Miller, Patrick DePula & Daniel Bonanno, will be available for fans to try! 

OFFICIAL POST-GAME PARTY:t Tonight we are partying at High Noon Saloon following the game! There will be polka, dancing, and beer – you can find all the info for the party in the Facebook invite.

For a full A to Z guide on our stadium policies, please click here! 

If you have any issues or concerns about the game, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our front office team at: 608-204-0855 or info@https://www.forwardmadisonfc.com

International Exhibition Game
Forward Madison FC vs Hertha Berlin
Friday, May 24, 2019; 7:00 p.m. CT
Breese Stevens Field – Madison, WI

Where to Watch
Tickets available here
Follow @ForwardMSNFC on Twitter for live updates

Forward Madison FC will kick off its first-ever major international exhibition match Friday night, hosting German Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin at Breese Stevens Field. The game promises to be a historic one, not only as a huge test for FMFC’s players, but also as a chance for Madison’s soccer fans to watch one of the world’s major clubs in action.

Founded in 1892, Hertha Berlin is the largest soccer club in Germany’s capital city. Hertha was a founding member of the German Bundesliga and remains the only Berlin team in Germany’s first division. Hertha Berlin finished 11th in the Bundesliga this season and competed in the Europa League as recently as 2017.

Speaking on “Let Me Be Forward” Wednesday, Head Coach Daryl Shore said he is planning to treat the game as a special occasion.

“We view the Hertha Berlin game as a bonus for all of our players,” Shore said. “The fans are going to get a chance to see everybody play, they’re going to see all of our guys get some minutes.”

FMFC will come into the Hertha game in the middle of a heavily-congested schedule in which the team has not had more than four days of rest between games since April. According to Shore, this means he will use the full depth of his roster for the friendly, and could also count on the presence of several non-loan Minnesota United players, as he did during FMFC’s exhibition against UW-Madison last month.

“[Fans] will get to see guys like Ally Hamis Ng’Anzi and Vital Nizigiyimana and Brandon Eaton, even Brandon Barnes will get some minutes,” Shore said. “[These are] guys that haven’t logged a lot of minutes but do a lot on the inside for our team, pushing our guys every day in training sessions. It’s an opportunity for those guys to get quality minutes against a quality opponent.”

Hertha Berlin is just starting its “Berlin Tears Down Walls” tour, which celebrates the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Hertha won 1-0 on Wednesday against Minnesota United, and will continue on to California following its stop in Madison.

Forward Madison is coming off consecutive defeats in USL League One play, having just fallen 3-1 on the road to North Texas SC on Wednesday. Following the Hertha game, the Flamingos will travel to Missouri next Wednesday for a hugely important third-round U.S. Open Cup battle with Saint Louis FC. If FMFC wins, it will advance to play a Major League Soccer team in round four.

For now, though, all the focus is on Friday. For Forward Madison, its match against Hertha Berlin will be a monumental opportunity to play the world’s game against one of the world’s top teams.

Forward Madison FC’s inaugural season is here! The team will play its next home game on May 24 vs German Bundesliga team Hertha Berlin. Get tickets to see Forward Madison’s inaugural season at: https://www.forwardmadisonfc.com/tickets.

International Exhibition Game
Forward Madison FC vs Hertha Berlin
Friday, May 24, 2019; 7:00 p.m. CT
Breese Stevens Field – Madison, WI

Where to Watch
Tickets available here
Follow @ForwardMSNFC on Twitter for live updates

Forward Madison FC will kick off its first-ever major international exhibition match Friday night, hosting German Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin at Breese Stevens Field. The game promises to be a historic one, not only as a huge test for FMFC’s players, but also as a chance for Madison’s soccer fans to watch one of the world’s major clubs in action.

Founded in 1892, Hertha Berlin is the largest soccer club in Germany’s capital city. Hertha was a founding member of the German Bundesliga and remains the only Berlin team in Germany’s first division. Hertha Berlin finished 11th in the Bundesliga this season and competed in the Europa League as recently as 2017.

Speaking on “Let Me Be Forward” Wednesday, Head Coach Daryl Shore said he is planning to treat the game as a special occasion.

“We view the Hertha Berlin game as a bonus for all of our players,” Shore said. “The fans are going to get a chance to see everybody play, they’re going to see all of our guys get some minutes.”

FMFC will come into the Hertha game in the middle of a heavily-congested schedule in which the team has not had more than four days of rest between games since April. According to Shore, this means he will use the full depth of his roster for the friendly, and could also count on the presence of several non-loan Minnesota United players, as he did during FMFC’s exhibition against UW-Madison last month.

“[Fans] will get to see guys like Ally Hamis Ng’Anzi and Vital Nizigiyimana and Brandon Eaton, even Brandon Barnes will get some minutes,” Shore said. “[These are] guys that haven’t logged a lot of minutes but do a lot on the inside for our team, pushing our guys every day in training sessions. It’s an opportunity for those guys to get quality minutes against a quality opponent.”

Hertha Berlin is just starting its “Berlin Tears Down Walls” tour, which celebrates the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Hertha won 1-0 on Wednesday against Minnesota United, and will continue on to California following its stop in Madison.

Forward Madison is coming off consecutive defeats in USL League One play, having just fallen 3-1 on the road to North Texas SC on Wednesday. Following the Hertha game, the Flamingos will travel to Missouri next Wednesday for a hugely important third-round U.S. Open Cup battle with Saint Louis FC. If FMFC wins, it will advance to play a Major League Soccer team in round four.

For now, though, all the focus is on Friday. For Forward Madison, its match against Hertha Berlin will be a monumental opportunity to play the world’s game against one of the world’s top teams.

Forward Madison FC’s inaugural season is here! The team will play its next home game on May 24 vs German Bundesliga team Hertha Berlin. Get tickets to see Forward Madison’s inaugural season at: https://www.forwardmadisonfc.com/tickets.

Forward Madison FC never quite got it going Wednesday night, falling 3-1 to USL League One leaders North Texas SC at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Tex. The Flamingos have not had more than four days of rest between games since April, and showed signs of tiredness in a dissatisfactory display.

With a major international exhibition coming up Friday against Hertha Berlin and a hugely important U.S. Open Cup game to be played next Wednesday in St. Louis, Head Coach Daryl shore had to rotate his lineup to find the right fits. Forward fans were able to see midfielder Brandon Eaton make his first League One start for FMFC, and he went on to play the full 90 minutes of the game.

"It's been a hard stretch for us," Shore said. "We're a team that doesn't make excuses, but when you play Tuesday, Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday, it's tough and it takes its toll. Our roster right now is not deep. We usually have a few guys on loan to us from Minnesota and we didn't have those guys available to us."

The Flamingos fell behind by two goals early on and didn’t manage to draw level during the rest of the match. North Texas forward Ronaldo Damus latched onto a long ball hoofed over the top of the defense in the 3rd minute, beating FMFC goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre in a one-on-one battle. In the 7th minute, North Texas midfielder David Rodriguez found space in the center of Forward’s penalty area, then rifled a shot that bounced off the underside of the crossbar and into the net.

It was Flamingo forward Don Smart, however, who nearly turned the tide of the game when he put FMFC within one with a goal in the 15th minute. Forward Jiro Barriga Toyama had gone past his defender, and his low cross cut out the entire defensive line to set Smart up for an open finish. Smart now has two goals on the season, tying him for the team lead.

Forward Madison FC never quite got it going Wednesday night, falling 3-1 to USL League One leaders North Texas SC at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Tex. The Flamingos have not had more than four days of rest between games since April, and showed signs of tiredness in a dissatisfactory display.

With a major international exhibition coming up Friday against Hertha Berlin and a hugely important U.S. Open Cup game to be played next Wednesday in St. Louis, Head Coach Daryl shore had to rotate his lineup to find the right fits. Forward fans were able to see midfielder Brandon Eaton make his first League One start for FMFC, and he went on to play the full 90 minutes of the game.

“It’s been a hard stretch for us,” Shore said. “We’re a team that doesn’t make excuses, but when you play Tuesday, Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday, it’s tough and it takes its toll. Our roster right now is not deep. We usually have a few guys on loan to us from Minnesota and we didn’t have those guys available to us.”

The Flamingos fell behind by two goals early on and didn’t manage to draw level during the rest of the match. North Texas forward Ronaldo Damus latched onto a long ball hoofed over the top of the defense in the 3rd minute, beating FMFC goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre in a one-on-one battle. In the 7th minute, North Texas midfielder David Rodriguez found space in the center of Forward’s penalty area, then rifled a shot that bounced off the underside of the crossbar and into the net.

It was Flamingo forward Don Smart, however, who nearly turned the tide of the game when he put FMFC within one with a goal in the 15th minute. Forward Jiro Barriga Toyama had gone past his defender, and his low cross cut out the entire defensive line to set Smart up for an open finish. Smart now has two goals on the season, tying him for the team lead.

In the end, though, it wasn’t to be for the Flamingos. Despite recording the same number of shots on target (four) as the home side, FMFC saw its defeat all but confirmed when North Texas defender Jorge Almaguer beat Sylvestre at his near post in the 70th minute to make the game 3-1.

"We just weren't ready to play tonight," Shore said. "At the end of the day, it's on me as a coach and our staff to do a better job of making sure we've got guys that are ready to play and from there I'll take it as a coach. But at the end of the day, as a group, we just know that tonight wasn't our night."

Forward Madison, currently sitting seventh in the USL League One table, will have some time off before its next league game – at home on June 1 against Lansing Ignite FC. Meanwhile, the Flamingos will return to Breese Stevens Field to host Hertha Berlin in a major international exhibition Friday night before heading off to Missouri for a third-round U.S. Open Cup clash with Saint Louis FC. If FMFC wins the latter game, it will advance to play a Major League Soccer team in round four.

Forward Madison FC
Brian Sylvestre (yellow ‘10); Christian “Pato” Díaz, Shaun Russell, Connor Tobin [Eric Leonard 46’], Carl Schneider [Brian Bement 65’ (yellow 68’)]; J.C. Banks, Brandon Eaton, Josiel Núñez; Jiro Barriga Toyama, Don Smart (goal 15’) [Zaire Bartley 72’], Paulo Júnior (yellow 42’)

Unused Substitutes
Ryan Coulter, Vital Nizigiyimana, Jeff Michaud, Ally Hamis Ng’Anzi

North Texas SC
Carlos Avilez; Jorge Almaguer (goal 70’), Cesar Murillo, Alfusainey Jatta, Kevin Bonilla; Tanner Tessmann, Bicou Bissainthe (yellow 27’) [Julian Hinojosa 59’ (yellow 84’)], David Rodriguez (goal 7’) [Gibran Rayo 73’ (yellow 87’)]; Arturo Rodriguez [Johan Gomez 81], Ronaldo Damus (goal 3’), Ricardo Pepi

Unused substitutes
Michael Collodi, Héctor Montalvo, Oscar Romero, Dante Sealy

Referees
Adam Kilpatrick
Seth Barton
Andrea Jedele
Jorge Luna Hernandez

Venue
Toyota Stadium – Frisco, TX

Attendance
1,103

Forward Madison FC’s inaugural season is here! The team will play its next home game on May 24 vs German Bundesliga team Hertha Berlin. Get tickets to see Forward Madison’s inaugural season at: https://www.forwardmadisonfc.com/tickets.

In the end, though, it wasn’t to be for the Flamingos. Despite recording the same number of shots on target (four) as the home side, FMFC saw its defeat all but confirmed when North Texas defender Jorge Almaguer beat Sylvestre at his near post in the 70th minute to make the game 3-1.

“We just weren’t ready to play tonight,” Shore said. “At the end of the day, it’s on me as a coach and our staff to do a better job of making sure we’ve got guys that are ready to play and from there I’ll take it as a coach. But at the end of the day, as a group, we just know that tonight wasn’t our night.”

Forward Madison, currently sitting seventh in the USL League One table, will have some time off before its next league game – at home on June 1 against Lansing Ignite FC. Meanwhile, the Flamingos will return to Breese Stevens Field to host Hertha Berlin in a major international exhibition Friday night before heading off to Missouri for a third-round U.S. Open Cup clash with Saint Louis FC. If FMFC wins the latter game, it will advance to play a Major League Soccer team in round four.

Forward Madison FC
Brian Sylvestre (yellow ‘10); Christian “Pato” Díaz, Shaun Russell, Connor Tobin [Eric Leonard 46’], Carl Schneider [Brian Bement 65’ (yellow 68’)]; J.C. Banks, Brandon Eaton, Josiel Núñez; Jiro Barriga Toyama, Don Smart (goal 15’) [Zaire Bartley 72’], Paulo Júnior (yellow 42’)

Unused Substitutes
Ryan Coulter, Vital Nizigiyimana, Jeff Michaud, Ally Hamis Ng’Anzi

North Texas SC
Carlos Avilez; Jorge Almaguer (goal 70’), Cesar Murillo, Alfusainey Jatta, Kevin Bonilla; Tanner Tessmann, Bicou Bissainthe (yellow 27’) [Julian Hinojosa 59’ (yellow 84’)], David Rodriguez (goal 7’) [Gibran Rayo 73’ (yellow 87’)]; Arturo Rodriguez [Johan Gomez 81], Ronaldo Damus (goal 3’), Ricardo Pepi

Unused substitutes
Michael Collodi, Héctor Montalvo, Oscar Romero, Dante Sealy

Referees
Adam Kilpatrick
Seth Barton
Andrea Jedele
Jorge Luna Hernandez

Venue
Toyota Stadium – Frisco, TX

Attendance
1,103

Forward Madison FC’s inaugural season is here! The team will play its next home game on May 24 vs German Bundesliga team Hertha Berlin. Get tickets to see Forward Madison’s inaugural season at: https://www.forwardmadisonfc.com/tickets.