Forward Madison FC’s inaugural U.S. Open Cup campaign came to an end Wednesday night, as the Flamingos fell 3-1 to Saint Louis FC on the road. FMFC advanced further than any other USL League One team in the tournament, which earned them a $25,000 prize.
Despite the match being played several hundred miles away on a weeknight, a handful of Forward fans made the trip, singing and chanting throughout the game. According to Head Coach Daryl Shore, his team used their energy to fight back after a poor start.
“Our guys didn’t give up,” Shore said. “They kept fighting, and that’s indicative of what our fans are about. They keep us going.”
The Flamingos fell behind quickly, conceding two goals in the opening 10 minutes to Saint Louis. Paris Gee capitalized on a misplayed clearance in the 2nd minute, while Guy Abend collected on a ball deflected into the middle of the box.
“[I’m] disappointed that we started the game the way we did,” Shore said. “It’s important to have a good start, and it’s a competition where you know if you lose you’re done.”
After its shaky start, FMFC found solid footing. The Flamingos nearly forced an own goal that rebounded off the post in the 24th minute, and Don Smart had a close-range opportunity that went just wide in the 36th minute.
Smart made good on another chance just two minutes later, pulling FMFC into the game before halftime. Midfielder Jeff Michaud played a long ball from his own half through the defensive line, and Smart ran onto it to get a one-on-one chance against Saint Louis goalkeeper Tomas Gomez. Smart still had work to do to beat Gomez at his near post, but rifled his shot perfectly into the top corner.
In the second half, the ‘Mingos could never quite make the comeback happen. Josiel Núñez had one of the best opportunities with a free kick around 25 yards out from goal. His shot, though smashed straight into the Saint Louis wall.
With FMFC still searching for an equalizer, Saint Louis’ Russell Cicerone all but sealed the result with a headed goal off a corner kick in the 72nd minute.
Forward Madison will return home on Saturday, hosting Lansing Ignite FC in USL League One play at Breese Stevens Field. The Flamingos are just two points behind their Midwestern foes, and could move within touching distance of a playoff place with a win.
“[We] had some good moments, but then we give up the third goal and it’s hard to come back from a two-goal deficit when there’s only 20 minutes left,” Shore said. “Now we’ve got to get home and concentrate on the league. We’ve got to start climbing the table.”
Saint Louis FC
Tomas Gomez; Matt Bahner (yellow 56’), Sam Fink, Phaunuel Kavita, Paris Gee; Lewis Hilton, Oscar Umar (yellow 51’), Guy Abend [Nichi Vlastos 80’]; Russell Cicerone, Kyle Greig [Austin Martz 61’], Kadeem Dacres [Kippy Keller 88’]
Unused Substitutes
Jake Fenlason, Patrick Schulte, Jansen Miller, Lawson Redmon
Forward Madison FC
Brian Sylvestre; Shaun Russell [Brian Bement 67’], Eric Leonard, Connor Tobin, Christian “Pato” Díaz; J.C. Banks, Jeff Michaud (yellow 82’), Josiel Núñez; Jiro Barriga Toyama [Brandon Eaton 88’], Don Smart (goal 38’), Paulo Júnior
Unused Substitutes
Ryan Coulter, Carl Schneider, Vital Nizigiyimana, Ally Hamis Ng’anzi, Zaire Bartley
Venue
Toyota Stadium – Fenton, MO
Attendance
1,206
Forward Madison FC’s inaugural U.S. Open Cup campaign came to an end Wednesday night, as the Flamingos fell 3-1 to Saint Louis FC on the road. FMFC advanced further than any other USL League One team in the tournament, which earned them a $25,000 prize.
Despite the match being played several hundred miles away on a weeknight, a handful of Forward fans made the trip, singing and chanting throughout the game. According to Head Coach Daryl Shore, his team used their energy to fight back after a poor start.
“Our guys didn’t give up,” Shore said. “They kept fighting, and that’s indicative of what our fans are about. They keep us going.”
The Flamingos fell behind quickly, conceding two goals in the opening 10 minutes to Saint Louis. Paris Gee capitalized on a misplayed clearance in the 2nd minute, while Guy Abend collected on a ball deflected into the middle of the box.
“[I’m] disappointed that we started the game the way we did,” Shore said. “It’s important to have a good start, and it’s a competition where you know if you lose you’re done.”
After its shaky start, FMFC found solid footing. The Flamingos nearly forced an own goal that rebounded off the post in the 24th minute, and Don Smart had a close-range opportunity that went just wide in the 36th minute.
Smart made good on another chance just two minutes later, pulling FMFC into the game before halftime. Midfielder Jeff Michaud played a long ball from his own half through the defensive line, and Smart ran onto it to get a one-on-one chance against Saint Louis goalkeeper Tomas Gomez. Smart still had work to do to beat Gomez at his near post, but rifled his shot perfectly into the top corner.
In the second half, the ‘Mingos could never quite make the comeback happen. Josiel Núñez had one of the best opportunities with a free kick around 25 yards out from goal. His shot, though smashed straight into the Saint Louis wall.
With FMFC still searching for an equalizer, Saint Louis’ Russell Cicerone all but sealed the result with a headed goal off a corner kick in the 72nd minute.
Forward Madison will return home on Saturday, hosting Lansing Ignite FC in USL League One play at Breese Stevens Field. The Flamingos are just two points behind their Midwestern foes, and could move within touching distance of a playoff place with a win.
“[We] had some good moments, but then we give up the third goal and it’s hard to come back from a two-goal deficit when there’s only 20 minutes left,” Shore said. “Now we’ve got to get home and concentrate on the league. We’ve got to start climbing the table.”
Saint Louis FC
Tomas Gomez; Matt Bahner (yellow 56’), Sam Fink, Phaunuel Kavita, Paris Gee; Lewis Hilton, Oscar Umar (yellow 51’), Guy Abend [Nichi Vlastos 80’]; Russell Cicerone, Kyle Greig [Austin Martz 61’], Kadeem Dacres [Kippy Keller 88’]
Unused Substitutes
Jake Fenlason, Patrick Schulte, Jansen Miller, Lawson Redmon
Forward Madison FC
Brian Sylvestre; Shaun Russell [Brian Bement 67’], Eric Leonard, Connor Tobin, Christian “Pato” Díaz; J.C. Banks, Jeff Michaud (yellow 82’), Josiel Núñez; Jiro Barriga Toyama [Brandon Eaton 88’], Don Smart (goal 38’), Paulo Júnior
Unused Substitutes
Ryan Coulter, Carl Schneider, Vital Nizigiyimana, Ally Hamis Ng’anzi, Zaire Bartley
Venue
Toyota Stadium – Fenton, MO
Attendance
1,206
