USL League One – Game 14
Forward Madison FC at South Georgia Tormenta FC
Saturday, July 6, 2019; 7:00 p.m. CT
Erik Russell Park – Statesboro, GA
Where to Watch
ESPN+
Follow @ForwardMSNFC on Twitter for live updatesKeep track of official stats on the USL League One match center
Join the official watch party at Blue Agave!
Forward Madison has found its feet during a three-match unbeaten streak, but now faces one of its sternest challenges of the season away to South Georgia Tormenta FC this Saturday (7:00 p.m. CT; ESPN+). If the Flamingos are to achieve victory, they’ll have to win where no USL League One team has won so far – on the road at Erik Russell Park.
Not only has the second-place Tormenta been unbeatable at home, but they’ve also done it in style, winning four of five with only one goal conceded. South Georgia boasts USL League One’s best defense, with seven goals allowed in 12 matches.
According to Head Coach Daryl Shore, that record is, on one hand, a testament to Tormenta’s hard work. On the other, it’s a target for the Flamingos to bring down.
“We’ve got to try and catch up, and if you’re going to get into the top four, you’ve got to beat the top three teams,” Shore said. “Our motivation has to be that we need to go in there and be the first team that knocks them off at home.”
For FMFC, which is five points out of the playoff places, there is still reason to be optimistic at the midpoint of an inaugural season that has only yielded mixed results on the field. The Flamingos contested seven games outside of league play during the first half of the season (three U.S. Open Cup matches; four exhibitions), while most other teams have played few to no extras. Other than a match against Leones Negros on July 16, Forward Madison is now exclusively focused on moving up in League One.
Saturday’s game, then, represents a test of how well the ‘Mingos can play with plenty of rest and no distractions, especially against a team that has set the standard for quality.
“I just think a little bit of it is being better-rested, a little bit of it is being more concentrated in front of goal and part of it is taking our chances in front of goal,” Shore said. “Some of the bounces have started to go our way.”
The Flamingos come into the game with two new players to help them, both loan arrivals for the remainder of the season from USL Championship club Memphis 901 FC. Louis Bennett is a left-footed midfielder from the Milwaukee area who specializes in free kicks; Oliver White is a center forward whose speed should allow him to complement FMFC’s signature counter-attacks. White in particular may get a chance to slot in Satruday, as Brian Bement is sidelined by a knee injury.
South Georgia Tormenta, meanwhile, is currently riding a seven-game unbeaten streak, and recently saw two of its players earn midseason awards from USL League One: Pablo Jara was Midseason Goalkeeper of the Year and Conner Antley was Midseason Defender of the Year. Antley, who scored against Forward Madison in Tormenta’s 1-0 win at Breese Stevens Field in May, was also nominated for Midseason MVP, but lost out to FMFC’s Don Smart.
Following its game in Statesboro, Forward Madison will waste no time before returning to USL League One action, travelling to Michigan to finish up a three-game road trip against Lansing Ignite FC on Tuesday.
“We feel like there will be chances for us to score some goals,” Shore said. “As the game goes on, if it stays 0-0, we feel like the pressure’s on them. We want to be the first team to beat them at home.”
Forward Madison FC’s inaugural season is here! The team will play its next home game on July 13 vs Chattanooga Red Wolves SC. Get tickets to see Forward Madison’s inaugural season at: https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/forwardmadisonfc/tickets.
USL League One – Game 14
Forward Madison FC at South Georgia Tormenta FC
Saturday, July 6, 2019; 7:00 p.m. CT
Erik Russell Park – Statesboro, GA
Where to Watch
ESPN+
Follow @ForwardMSNFC on Twitter for live updatesKeep track of official stats on the USL League One match center
Join the official watch party at Blue Agave!
Forward Madison has found its feet during a three-match unbeaten streak, but now faces one of its sternest challenges of the season away to South Georgia Tormenta FC this Saturday (7:00 p.m. CT; ESPN+). If the Flamingos are to achieve victory, they’ll have to win where no USL League One team has won so far – on the road at Erik Russell Park.
Not only has the second-place Tormenta been unbeatable at home, but they’ve also done it in style, winning four of five with only one goal conceded. South Georgia boasts USL League One’s best defense, with seven goals allowed in 12 matches.
According to Head Coach Daryl Shore, that record is, on one hand, a testament to Tormenta’s hard work. On the other, it’s a target for the Flamingos to bring down.
“We’ve got to try and catch up, and if you’re going to get into the top four, you’ve got to beat the top three teams,” Shore said. “Our motivation has to be that we need to go in there and be the first team that knocks them off at home.”
For FMFC, which is five points out of the playoff places, there is still reason to be optimistic at the midpoint of an inaugural season that has only yielded mixed results on the field. The Flamingos contested seven games outside of league play during the first half of the season (three U.S. Open Cup matches; four exhibitions), while most other teams have played few to no extras. Other than a match against Leones Negros on July 16, Forward Madison is now exclusively focused on moving up in League One.
Saturday’s game, then, represents a test of how well the ‘Mingos can play with plenty of rest and no distractions, especially against a team that has set the standard for quality.
“I just think a little bit of it is being better-rested, a little bit of it is being more concentrated in front of goal and part of it is taking our chances in front of goal,” Shore said. “Some of the bounces have started to go our way.”
The Flamingos come into the game with two new players to help them, both loan arrivals for the remainder of the season from USL Championship club Memphis 901 FC. Louis Bennett is a left-footed midfielder from the Milwaukee area who specializes in free kicks; Oliver White is a center forward whose speed should allow him to complement FMFC’s signature counter-attacks. White in particular may get a chance to slot in Satruday, as Brian Bement is sidelined by a knee injury.
South Georgia Tormenta, meanwhile, is currently riding a seven-game unbeaten streak, and recently saw two of its players earn midseason awards from USL League One: Pablo Jara was Midseason Goalkeeper of the Year and Conner Antley was Midseason Defender of the Year. Antley, who scored against Forward Madison in Tormenta’s 1-0 win at Breese Stevens Field in May, was also nominated for Midseason MVP, but lost out to FMFC’s Don Smart.
Following its game in Statesboro, Forward Madison will waste no time before returning to USL League One action, travelling to Michigan to finish up a three-game road trip against Lansing Ignite FC on Tuesday.
“We feel like there will be chances for us to score some goals,” Shore said. “As the game goes on, if it stays 0-0, we feel like the pressure’s on them. We want to be the first team to beat them at home.”
Forward Madison FC’s inaugural season is here! The team will play its next home game on July 13 vs Chattanooga Red Wolves SC. Get tickets to see Forward Madison’s inaugural season at: https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/forwardmadisonfc/tickets.
