USL League One – Playoff Semifinal
Forward Madison FC at North Texas SC
Saturday, October 12, 2019; 7:00 p.m. CT
Toyota Stadium – Frisco, TX
Where to Watch
ESPN+
Follow @ForwardMSNFC on Twitter for live updates
Keep track of official stats on the USL League One match center
Join the watch party at The Brass Ring!
Forward Madison FC is heading down to Texas in search of a place in the USL League One Final on Saturday as it takes on regular season champion North Texas SC in the League One semifinal (7 p.m. CT; ESPN+). The Flamingos waited until the last day of the regular season to claim a place in the playoffs, but now find themselves two wins away from being crowned champions in their inaugural year.
After a disappointing start to the season in which FMFC found itself last after 10 games, the ‘Mingos have come to life in the second half, allowing only five goals in their last 12 matches. According to Head Coach Daryl Shore, North Texas SC is just the latest obstacle his team has to overcome.
“We have to believe in ourselves, Shore said. “As a group we’ve dealt with a lot of adversity this year both on and off the field, and so it’s made our group stronger.”
Forward Madison snuck into the last spot in the playoffs last weekend in thrilling fashion, defeating Lansing Ignite FC 1-0 on the road in front of over 150 away fans.
That game took its toll, though, with forward Danny Tenorio exiting in the 15th minute after finding himself on the receiving end of a poorly mistimed tackle. Shore described his team as “banged up,” but said he feels confident in the ability of any of his players to come to the fore when called upon.
“We’ve always been the team of, when one guy is down, another guy has to step up,” Shore said.
Indeed, FMFC’s players have certainly stepped up to the challenge in recent weeks. Forward is the only club in the League One playoffs to have not lost any of their past five games, and players have said they feel like the team is “getting hot” at the right time.
Coming up against North Texas SC, though, it’s no secret that Madison’s team is considered the underdog. None of USLLeagueOne.com’s writers chose the ‘Mingos to win, and the Texans will come into the game knowing that they have only lost once at Toyota Stadium all year.
“They’re a good team, so we’ve got to worry about ourselves,” Shore said. “They’re the number one seed, they’ve won 17 games. We’re not supposed to win the game on paper.”
North Texas does, however, have some question marks going into Saturday. For starters, league-leading goalscorer Ronaldo Damus may not play, having been called into the Haiti National Team. Still, Damus did not feature in Haiti’s 18-man squad during their 1-1 draw with Costa Rica on Wednesday.
NTSC may also feel the effects of FC Dallas’ playoff campaign in Major League Soccer. North Texas serves as a B team for FC Dallas, so players that shift in between the two clubs, such as U.S. youth international Ricardo Pepi, may stay with the first team before FCD’s postseason opener in Seattle on Oct. 19.
According to Shore, though, team selection probably won’t change the nature of how North Texas looks to play. Forward’s opposition has led League One this year in number of passes played, and typically looks to keep possession of the ball at all times, especially on the natural grass field at Toyota Stadium.
“We think we have a pretty good idea of who’s going to play and who’s not going to play,” Shore said. “They’re good, regardless of whether they put first-team guys on there or their academy guys or their North Texas team.”
Forward Madison has played North Texas SC more times than any other team, facing off on four separate occasions this year. The Flamingos lost the first two encounters in Texas in April and May, but came roaring back to win twice at home later in the season. The last matchup between the two clubs came in FMFC’s home finale on Sept. 22, where the Flamingos walked away victors courtesy of an own goal.
Although Saturday’s match will be played over 1000 miles away from Breese Stevens Field, the Flamingos will have company, as at least 25 fans have made plans to travel to Frisco for the game. FMFC has offered to pay for the tickets of away supporters.
“We’ve got the greatest fans in USL League One, there’s no doubt about it,” Shore said. “It would be a great feat for us to go to Texas and win the game [for them].”
If Forward Madison wins on Saturday, it will advance to the USL League One Final next weekend. FMFC would either play at Lansing Ignite FC on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. or at Greenville Triumph SC on Friday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m.
Season tickets for Forward Madison FC’s 2020 season are now available! Get yours by calling 608-204-0855 or by visiting https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/forwardmadisonfc/season-tickets.
USL League One – Playoff Semifinal
Forward Madison FC at North Texas SC
Saturday, October 12, 2019; 7:00 p.m. CT
Toyota Stadium – Frisco, TX
Where to Watch
ESPN+
Follow @ForwardMSNFC on Twitter for live updates
Keep track of official stats on the USL League One match center
Join the watch party at The Brass Ring!
Forward Madison FC is heading down to Texas in search of a place in the USL League One Final on Saturday as it takes on regular season champion North Texas SC in the League One semifinal (7 p.m. CT; ESPN+). The Flamingos waited until the last day of the regular season to claim a place in the playoffs, but now find themselves two wins away from being crowned champions in their inaugural year.
After a disappointing start to the season in which FMFC found itself last after 10 games, the ‘Mingos have come to life in the second half, allowing only five goals in their last 12 matches. According to Head Coach Daryl Shore, North Texas SC is just the latest obstacle his team has to overcome.
“We have to believe in ourselves, Shore said. “As a group we’ve dealt with a lot of adversity this year both on and off the field, and so it’s made our group stronger.”
Forward Madison snuck into the last spot in the playoffs last weekend in thrilling fashion, defeating Lansing Ignite FC 1-0 on the road in front of over 150 away fans.
That game took its toll, though, with forward Danny Tenorio exiting in the 15th minute after finding himself on the receiving end of a poorly mistimed tackle. Shore described his team as “banged up,” but said he feels confident in the ability of any of his players to come to the fore when called upon.
“We’ve always been the team of, when one guy is down, another guy has to step up,” Shore said.
Indeed, FMFC’s players have certainly stepped up to the challenge in recent weeks. Forward is the only club in the League One playoffs to have not lost any of their past five games, and players have said they feel like the team is “getting hot” at the right time.
Coming up against North Texas SC, though, it’s no secret that Madison’s team is considered the underdog. None of USLLeagueOne.com’s writers chose the ‘Mingos to win, and the Texans will come into the game knowing that they have only lost once at Toyota Stadium all year.
“They’re a good team, so we’ve got to worry about ourselves,” Shore said. “They’re the number one seed, they’ve won 17 games. We’re not supposed to win the game on paper.”
North Texas does, however, have some question marks going into Saturday. For starters, league-leading goalscorer Ronaldo Damus may not play, having been called into the Haiti National Team. Still, Damus did not feature in Haiti’s 18-man squad during their 1-1 draw with Costa Rica on Wednesday.
NTSC may also feel the effects of FC Dallas’ playoff campaign in Major League Soccer. North Texas serves as a B team for FC Dallas, so players that shift in between the two clubs, such as U.S. youth international Ricardo Pepi, may stay with the first team before FCD’s postseason opener in Seattle on Oct. 19.
According to Shore, though, team selection probably won’t change the nature of how North Texas looks to play. Forward’s opposition has led League One this year in number of passes played, and typically looks to keep possession of the ball at all times, especially on the natural grass field at Toyota Stadium.
“We think we have a pretty good idea of who’s going to play and who’s not going to play,” Shore said. “They’re good, regardless of whether they put first-team guys on there or their academy guys or their North Texas team.”
Forward Madison has played North Texas SC more times than any other team, facing off on four separate occasions this year. The Flamingos lost the first two encounters in Texas in April and May, but came roaring back to win twice at home later in the season. The last matchup between the two clubs came in FMFC’s home finale on Sept. 22, where the Flamingos walked away victors courtesy of an own goal.
Although Saturday’s match will be played over 1000 miles away from Breese Stevens Field, the Flamingos will have company, as at least 25 fans have made plans to travel to Frisco for the game. FMFC has offered to pay for the tickets of away supporters.
“We’ve got the greatest fans in USL League One, there’s no doubt about it,” Shore said. “It would be a great feat for us to go to Texas and win the game [for them].”
If Forward Madison wins on Saturday, it will advance to the USL League One Final next weekend. FMFC would either play at Lansing Ignite FC on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. or at Greenville Triumph SC on Friday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m.
Season tickets for Forward Madison FC’s 2020 season are now available! Get yours by calling 608-204-0855 or by visiting https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/forwardmadisonfc/season-tickets.
