Flamingos dominate NCFC in Madison
Forward Madison FC returned home to historic Breese Stevens Field to face the top team in USL League One, North Carolina FC on Saturday, June 10th. As fans entered the stadium, the energy rapidly grew, bringing a special feeling to Breese. The match started just after 7pm CT on FMFC’s Father’s Day Night.
The first half started with intensity from Forward Madison. Within the first ten minutes, each team had a few chances to jump out in front early. FMFC players played in a compact formation and kept North Carolina controlled, but the game stalled as both sides failed to progress in the final third. FMFC players battled and in the 29th minute, Forward Madison striker Nazeem Bartman pulled a shot just right of the goal. However, FMFC’s golden opportunity came right before the half ended. In the 42nd minute, Isidro Martinez played a long ball over North Carolina’s defense from a few yards in front of his own 18 yard box to Stephen Payne on the right side. Payne took a few touches to beat his defender, faced the goalkeeper one-on-one, and buried his shot in the back of the net. With elation and a newfound energy, the Flamingos went into halftime up 1-0.
Forward Madison came out of the halftime break determined to share a win with the home crowd. The Flamingos controlled possession and the offensive attack, continuing to knock on North Carolina’s door. In the 63rd minute, Forward Madison FC striker Francis Jno-Baptiste placed a perfect ball across the box to find Wolfgang Prentice for an easy back-door finish, and the ‘Mingos went up 2-0. With a comfortable lead, Forward Madison found their groove and confidence. Passes were crisp and creative, and North Carolina struggled to find a way to break down the strong FMFC defense. In the 73rd minute, Forward Madison capitalized on a corner, as defender Jake Crull found himself backpost for a goal. The night ended in triumph for Forward Madison with a final score of 3-0.
“It was unbelievable tonight,” FMFC attacker Wolfgang Prentice said. “The fan base is so together, it feels like a little arena. I’m glad I was able to perform and do well, making the fans happy.”
“We know who we are as a team,” FMFC defender Stephen Payne said. “That’s what we want to show and that’s the performance we want to give fans every match.”
“I told the guys before the game that I would be proud of them if we came out and did everything that we could, no matter the scoreline,” FMFC Head Coach Matt Glaeser said. “I’m so proud of the team and the way that we were resilient during a tough week.”
“Francis [Jno-Baptiste] did an incredible job tonight,” Glaeser said. “I thought some guys stepped up and proved a big point to everyone and myself that will make us stronger in the long run.”
Next up, Forward Madison will hit the road to face 4th place Richmond Kickers, on Saturday, June 17th at 6pm CT. Catch the match with other FMFC fans at the free Watch Party in the Forward Club. Doors open at 5pm and drinks will be available to purchase. You can RSVP here. The next FMFC home match is on Thursday, June 22nd at 7pm CT. Tickets for the match can be purchased here.
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Forward Madison FC Lineup:
55 Schipmann
22 Payne
4 Osmond C
5 Mehl
16 Crull
7 Martinez
23 Mesias
19 Prentice
17 Gebhard
24 Bartman
18 Jno-Baptiste
Substitutes: #56 Sanchez, #2 Screen, #12 Brotherton, #8 Conerty, #28 Wheeler-Omiunu, #14 Cichero, #9 Chaney
Head Coach: Matt Glaeser
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North Carolina FC Lineup:
1 Holliday
2 Lue Young
5 Navarro C
6 Fernandes
3 Flores Blanco
7 Arriaga
15 Maldonado
13 Perez
10 Servania
14 Mentzingen
9 Anderson
Substitutes: Saunders, Benton, Flick, Croll, Adams, Popp, McLaughlin
Head Coach: John Bradford
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Major Game Moments:
1st Half
- 5’ FMFC Corner (Osmond missed opportunity)
- 9’ FMFC Foul
- 11’ FMFC Foul
- 14’ FMFC Foul
- 15’ NC Foul
- 22’ FMFC Foul
- 28’ NC Yellow Card (#15 Maldonado)
- 29’ FMFC Missed Opportunity
- 32’ FMFC Foul
- 36’ NC Missed Opportunity
- 38’ FMFC Missed Opportunity
- 42’ FMFC GOAL (#22 Payne)
- 45+1’ FMFC foul
- 45+1’ FMFC foul
Half-Time Score: FMFC 1 – 0 NC
2nd Half
- 59’ FMFC Corner
- 61’ FMFC Corner
- 63’ FMFC GOAL (#19 Prentice)
- 69’ NC Corner
- 72’ NC Foul
- 74’ FMFC Corner
- 75’ FMFC GOAL (#16 Crull)
- 76’ NC Yellow Card
- 80’ NC Yellow Card
- 80’ FMFC Yellow Card (Cichero)
- 81’ NC Corner
- 82’ FMFC Missed Opportunity
- 83’ FMFC Corner
- 88’ NC Yellow Card (#3)
- 90+2’ FMFC Foul
- 90+4’ FMFC Yellow Card (#5 Mehl)
Full-Time Score: FMFC 3 – 0 NC
Discipline:
Forward Madison FC
- 80’ FMFC Yellow Card (Cichero)
- 90+4’ FMFC Yellow Card (#5 Mehl)
North Carolina FC
- 28’ NC Yellow Card (#15 Maldonado)
- 76’ NC Yellow Card
- 80’ NC Yellow Card
- 88’ NC Yellow Card (#3)
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Venue: Breese Stevens Field, Madison, WI | Attendance: 4,56
