March 26, 2023 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Forward Madison FC News Release
Forward Madison FC opened up the 2023 USL League One season with a trip to rivals Union Omaha at Caniglia Field. The Flamingos, led by second year Head Coach Matt Glaeser, entered the match after pre-season friendlies against Minnesota United 2, Indy Eleven, DePaul University, and Chicago Fire II. FMFC finished the 2022 USL League One season in ninth place, while Omaha finished in a playoff position in fifth.
The match kicked off just after 2pm CT with the Flamingos wearing their new, supporter-designed Away Kit. The match began with both squads trading possession and slowly easing their way into the contest. The first major chance of the match came in the 6th minute, when a deflected shot from Christian Chaney fell to the feet of Aiden Mesias, who fired a shot over the bar. Isidro Martinez added a chance of his own in the 17th minute, forcing a fingertip save by Rashad Nuhu. Omaha’s first dangerous opportunity of the match occurred in the 20th minute, when a shot from outside the box via Noe Meza forced a save from Bernd Schipmann, resulting in an Omaha corner. The Owls converted the corner with a header from JP Scearce, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead. In the 31st minute, Chaney laid a ball off to Nazeem Bartman, whose shot hit the post. Omaha continued to put pressure on the FMFC defense with a breakaway in the 39th minute that was thwarted in the end to keep the Flamingos within a goal going into the halftime break.
The second half began much like the first with both teams attempting to hold spells of long possession against one another. The momentum of the match changed in the 55th minute, when Derek Gebhard served a cross into the box, finding the feat of Chaney for a spinning shot into the back of the net, leveling the match at 1-1. Following the goal, the Flamingos were content to hold possession, looking for an opportunity to grab a second goal. That opportunity came in the 84th minute when Jayden Onen made a marauding run from the FMFC penalty box, eventually feeding Chaney for a one-on-one shot with the Omaha keeper. Chaney’s shot was pulled over the bar, keeping the match level. The last major chance of the match came in extra time, when Chaney connected on a bicycle kick, forcing a save out of Omaha. The match ended 1-1, with the Flamingos gaining a point on the road.
Next up, Forward Madison heads back home for a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup 2nd round matchup…