USL League One – Game 27
Forward Madison FC at FC Tucson
Friday, September 27, 2019; 9:30 p.m. CT
Kino North Stadium – Tucson, AZ
Where to Watch
ESPN+
Follow @ForwardMSNFC on Twitter for live updates
Keep track of official stats on the USL League One match center
Forward Madison FC will look to clinch a spot in the inaugural USL League One playoffs on Friday as it travels to Arizona to take on FC Tucson at 9:30 p.m. CT. The Flamingos sat in dead last after 10 games played, but can now complete a remarkable turnaround if they earn three points this week.
With two matches left to play in the regular season, FMFC needs just one more win to qualify for the playoffs. Forward can also clinch with a draw if the Chattanooga Red Wolves fail to win, or with a loss if Chattanooga also lose and South Georgia Tormenta do not win.
Head Coach Daryl Shore, who will mark his one-year anniversary as Forward Madison’s manager on Friday, said he still has work to do before his first season can be considered a success.
“We’ve had a great year so far, but at the same time, as most coaches would say, it’s not done yet,” Shore said. “I’m not satisfied. I won’t be satisfied until we have a place in the playoffs and at least give ourselves a chance to go after a championship.”
The Flamingos are in good shape at the moment, coming off a 1-0 victory in the team’s home finale against league leaders North Texas SC. Goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre, who made two important saves in the first half of that game, has led a defense that has conceded only four goals in its past 10 games.
According to Shore, Sylvestre is living up to his billing as one of the most high-profile signings in all of League One.
“Brian’s been massive,” Shore said. “His experience and his calm demeanor on the field is really paying off for us. He doesn’t get rattled. That’s one thing that, when a goalkeeper’s in good form and they don’t get rattled, they get tough to beat.”
FC Tucson, on the other hand, is no longer in contention for the playoffs, having been eliminated following a 2-3 loss to Greenville on Tuesday. Still, Shore said the ‘Mingos would be mistaken to think that a team out of contention has nothing to play for.
“You’re playing for your job,” Shore said. “[They might] play their veteran guys and tell them, ‘Listen, you’ve got two more games to prove you’re worthy of coming back next year.’”
Even as Tucson looks to play spoiler, though, they’ll still have to deal with two less days of rest than Forward. Tucson, which operates as a farm team for USL Championship club Phoenix Rising, could shuffle its roster before the match, offering challenges for the Flamingos to figure out.
Still, FMFC has a good history against FC Tucson. The teams have met twice this year at Breese Stevens Field, with the Flamingos emerging victorious on both June 15 (2-1) and Aug. 3 (1-0). With each of the previous contests playing out as close affairs, Friday’s match promises more of the same.
“We’ve got a lot on the line, so we’ve got to come out and be ready for a hard game,” Shore said. “Tucson is dangerous. They played us very difficult the two times we played them at home.”
Luckily, even 1500 miles away from Madison, FMFC won’t be lacking for support. The Wasatch Mingos, a group of Forward fans from Utah that began following the team on social media, are driving over 12 hours to provide away support at the game.
Following its game against FC Tucson, Forward Madison will finish its inaugural USL League One regular season next Saturday, Oct. 5 in Michigan against Lansing Ignite FC. With any luck, the Flamingos could be qualified for the playoffs by then.
“Hopefully we go there with the right mindset and come away with the three points,” Shore said. “You want to control your destiny. A win Friday in Tucson and it’s over.”
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 – Game 27
Forward Madison FC at FC Tucson
Friday, September 27, 2019; 9:30 p.m. CT
Kino North Stadium – Tucson, AZ
Where to Watch
ESPN+
Follow @ForwardMSNFC on Twitter for live updates
Keep track of official stats on the USL League One match center
Forward Madison FC will look to clinch a spot in the inaugural USL League One playoffs on Friday as it travels to Arizona to take on FC Tucson at 9:30 p.m. CT. The Flamingos sat in dead last after 10 games played, but can now complete a remarkable turnaround if they earn three points this week.
With two matches left to play in the regular season, FMFC needs just one more win to qualify for the playoffs. Forward can also clinch with a draw if the Chattanooga Red Wolves fail to win, or with a loss if Chattanooga also lose and South Georgia Tormenta do not win.
Head Coach Daryl Shore, who will mark his one-year anniversary as Forward Madison’s manager on Friday, said he still has work to do before his first season can be considered a success.
“We’ve had a great year so far, but at the same time, as most coaches would say, it’s not done yet,” Shore said. “I’m not satisfied. I won’t be satisfied until we have a place in the playoffs and at least give ourselves a chance to go after a championship.”
The Flamingos are in good shape at the moment, coming off a 1-0 victory in the team’s home finale against league leaders North Texas SC. Goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre, who made two important saves in the first half of that game, has led a defense that has conceded only four goals in its past 10 games.
According to Shore, Sylvestre is living up to his billing as one of the most high-profile signings in all of League One.
“Brian’s been massive,” Shore said. “His experience and his calm demeanor on the field is really paying off for us. He doesn’t get rattled. That’s one thing that, when a goalkeeper’s in good form and they don’t get rattled, they get tough to beat.”
FC Tucson, on the other hand, is no longer in contention for the playoffs, having been eliminated following a 2-3 loss to Greenville on Tuesday. Still, Shore said the ‘Mingos would be mistaken to think that a team out of contention has nothing to play for.
“You’re playing for your job,” Shore said. “[They might] play their veteran guys and tell them, ‘Listen, you’ve got two more games to prove you’re worthy of coming back next year.’”
Even as Tucson looks to play spoiler, though, they’ll still have to deal with two less days of rest than Forward. Tucson, which operates as a farm team for USL Championship club Phoenix Rising, could shuffle its roster before the match, offering challenges for the Flamingos to figure out.
Still, FMFC has a good history against FC Tucson. The teams have met twice this year at Breese Stevens Field, with the Flamingos emerging victorious on both June 15 (2-1) and Aug. 3 (1-0). With each of the previous contests playing out as close affairs, Friday’s match promises more of the same.
“We’ve got a lot on the line, so we’ve got to come out and be ready for a hard game,” Shore said. “Tucson is dangerous. They played us very difficult the two times we played them at home.”
Luckily, even 1500 miles away from Madison, FMFC won’t be lacking for support. The Wasatch Mingos, a group of Forward fans from Utah that began following the team on social media, are driving over 12 hours to provide away support at the game.
Following its game against FC Tucson, Forward Madison will finish its inaugural USL League One regular season next Saturday, Oct. 5 in Michigan against Lansing Ignite FC. With any luck, the Flamingos could be qualified for the playoffs by then.
“Hopefully we go there with the right mindset and come away with the three points,” Shore said. “You want to control your destiny. A win Friday in Tucson and it’s over.”
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.
