July 16, 2022 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Forward Madison FC News Release
Forward Madison FC battled against South Georgia Tormenta FC at Breese Stevens Field on Saturday, July 16th at 7:00 pm CT. The Flamingos won 2-0 thanks to some clutch late-game heroics by Matheus Cassini and a clean sheet from newcomer Raiko Arozarena. Cassini notched an assist to Rojay Smith in the 76th minute, then scored in the 86th minute to put the game away and move the ‘Mingos up to 3rd place in the USL League One Table!
The first half began with back and forth action, as neither team was really able to control the ball consistently. Forward Madison logged its first quality chance of the match in the 9th minute when Mitch Osmond nearly headed the ball into the goal off a corner kick. At the 10th minute mark, Raiko Arozarena, in his first start in the Pink and Blue, made an impressive save after Tormenta brought the ball into the box with numbers and shot a rocket of a shot at the net. A slow start for the ‘Mingos allowed South Georgia to control possession in FMFC’s half for a majority of the opening 20 minutes.
In the 32nd minute, Arozarena came up with another huge save after Tormenta’s Kazaiah Sterling got past the last FMFC defender. Nazeem Bartman almost gave the ‘Mingos life in the 39th minute when he fired a shot just over the Tormenta goal. As the remainder of the first half ticked away, neither team was able to record any quality chances and the squads entered the halftime break tied 0-0.
Another slow start to the half for both teams allowed Arozarena’s brilliant performance to carry over into the second half, as he made a key save on a Tormenta shot right away in the 50th minute. Two minutes later, in the 52nd minute, FMFC gained back some momentum when Alann Torres provided a beautiful deep pass to Abdou Mbacke- Thiam, who shot the ball right into the top of the post. The shot bounced off the top post, hit the ground and then bounced away from the goal. At the 70th minute mark, Rojay Smith and Drew Conner got subbed onto the pitch for Alann Torres and Nazeem Bartman. The Forward Madison subs made an immediate impact as the squad kept the ball in Tormenta’s half for almost two minutes after the substitution. In the 76th minute, Matheus Cassini passed the ball into the box to Rojay Smith who got past a defender and shot the ball into the far corner of the Tormenta goal giving Forward Madison a 1-0 lead!
Ten minutes later, in the 86th minute, Drew Conner…