Forward Madison FC inched one point closer to a playoff spot Friday, drawing 1-1 on the road against FC Tucson. The result means that Forward’s magic number to secure a postseason berth is down to two, and the Flamingos would clinch if Chattanooga Red Wolves SC does not beat Richmond Kickers on Saturday. That game kicks off at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
If Chattanooga does win on Saturday, the math gets more complicated. The Flamingos play their final match on Saturday, Oct. 5 in Lansing; if they win, they will qualify for the playoffs; if they draw or lose, they will qualify for the playoffs if Chattanooga does not beat Toronto FC II later that day.
FMFC came into Friday’s game knowing that a win would push them over the edge, but couldn’t quite get the job done. Forward had 17 shots to Tucson’s nine, but only one would end up going in for each side.
FC Tucson opened the scoring in the 31st minute after striker Jordan Jones found himself sitting in space in the middle of the penalty area. With room to maneuver, FCT midfielder Terrón crossed the ball onto the head of Jones, who obliged by nodding the ball into the far corner of the goal.
Although the Flamingos looked like they would go into the break down a goal, FMFC found the equalizer in the final seconds of stoppage time. Tucson defender Kyle Venter laid both hands on Forward’s J.C. Banks on the left side of the 18-yard box, pushing him to the ground and earning the Flamingos a penalty kick.
Despite the pressure of the moment, winger Don Smart remained cool as he rolled the spot kick to goalkeeper Carlos Merancio’s left and into the net. Not only did Smart’s goal provide the equalizer, but it was also Forward Madison’s first-ever penalty kick goal.
FMFC very nearly took the lead at the start of the second half, coming within inches of a second goal in the 46th minute. Smart, chasing a ball into the right-side corner, made a pinpoint cross to striker Danny Tenorio at the far post. With no defenders near him and enough time to settle the ball, Tenorio aimed a shot on target, but Merancio flailed and touched away the attempt from point-blank range.
Forward Madison was cheered on during the game by a sizeable section of away fans led by the Wasatch Mingos, the Utah-based group that drove 14 hours to see their team for the first time.
With a playoff spot possibly on the line, FMFC can look forward to the support of well over 100 away fans when it finishes its inaugural regular season schedule against Lansing Ignite FC next Saturday, Oct. 5. The match is set to kick off at 2 p.m.
Forward Madison FC inched one point closer to a playoff spot Friday, drawing 1-1 on the road against FC Tucson. The result means that Forward’s magic number to secure a postseason berth is down to two, and the Flamingos would clinch if Chattanooga Red Wolves SC does not beat Richmond Kickers on Saturday. That game kicks off at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
If Chattanooga does win on Saturday, the math gets more complicated. The Flamingos play their final match on Saturday, Oct. 5 in Lansing; if they win, they will qualify for the playoffs; if they draw or lose, they will qualify for the playoffs if Chattanooga does not beat Toronto FC II later that day.
FMFC came into Friday’s game knowing that a win would push them over the edge, but couldn’t quite get the job done. Forward had 17 shots to Tucson’s nine, but only one would end up going in for each side.
FC Tucson opened the scoring in the 31st minute after striker Jordan Jones found himself sitting in space in the middle of the penalty area. With room to maneuver, FCT midfielder Terrón crossed the ball onto the head of Jones, who obliged by nodding the ball into the far corner of the goal.
Although the Flamingos looked like they would go into the break down a goal, FMFC found the equalizer in the final seconds of stoppage time. Tucson defender Kyle Venter laid both hands on Forward’s J.C. Banks on the left side of the 18-yard box, pushing him to the ground and earning the Flamingos a penalty kick.
Despite the pressure of the moment, winger Don Smart remained cool as he rolled the spot kick to goalkeeper Carlos Merancio’s left and into the net. Not only did Smart’s goal provide the equalizer, but it was also Forward Madison’s first-ever penalty kick goal.
FMFC very nearly took the lead at the start of the second half, coming within inches of a second goal in the 46th minute. Smart, chasing a ball into the right-side corner, made a pinpoint cross to striker Danny Tenorio at the far post. With no defenders near him and enough time to settle the ball, Tenorio aimed a shot on target, but Merancio flailed and touched away the attempt from point-blank range.
Forward Madison was cheered on during the game by a sizeable section of away fans led by the Wasatch Mingos, the Utah-based group that drove 14 hours to see their team for the first time.
With a playoff spot possibly on the line, FMFC can look forward to the support of well over 100 away fans when it finishes its inaugural regular season schedule against Lansing Ignite FC next Saturday, Oct. 5. The match is set to kick off at 2 p.m.
Forward Madison FC
Head Coach: Daryl Shore
Goalkeeper- Brian Sylvestre #92
Defender- Christian Diaz #27
Defender – Connor Tobin #13 (captain) YC
Defender- Shaun Russell #15
Defender- Carter Manley #2
Midfielder – J.C. Banks #29
Midfielder -Eric Leonard #3
Midfielder – Josiel Nunez #70 (86’ – Brandon Eaton #6)
Forward- Don Smart #7 ⚽PK 45+3’
Forward – Paulo Jr. #11
Forward- Danny Tenorio #10 (72’- Brian Bement #14)
Substitutes
G- Ryan Coulter #1
D- Carl Schneider #23
M- Louis Bennett #21
M- Brandon Eaton #6
F- Zaire Bartley #17
F- Brian Bement #14
F- Oliver White #20
FC Tucson
Head Coach: Darren Sawatzky
Goalkeeper: Carlos Merancia #18
Defender: Lamar Batista #22 YC
Defender: Kyle Venter #12
Defender: Kody Wakasa #33
Defender: Luke Hauswirth #13
Midfielder: Erik Virgen #50
Midfielder: Karsten Hanlin #17
Midfielder: Terrón #3 (76’ Guillermo Delgado #9)
Midfielder: Ilijah Paul #21 (55’ Devyn Jambga #16)
Midfielder: Jamael Cox #11
Forward: Jordan Jones #99
Substitutes
G – Rafael Guerrero #30
D – Scott DeVoss #26
M – Colin Stripling #14
M – Luis Martinez #10
F – Devyn Jambga #16
F – Guillermo Delgado #9
F – Eti Tavares #8
Goals
Forward Madison FC
45+3’- Don Smart #7
FC Tucson
31’ – Jordan Jones #99
Yellow Cards
Forward Madison FC
80’- Connor Tobin #13
North Texas SC
66’- Lamar Batista #22
Referees
Marco Vega
Robi Hullner
Mauro Cruz
Mario Cross
Venue
Kino North Stadium – Tucson, AZ
Attendance
638
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.
Forward Madison FC
Head Coach: Daryl Shore
Goalkeeper- Brian Sylvestre #92
Defender- Christian Diaz #27
Defender – Connor Tobin #13 (captain) YC
Defender- Shaun Russell #15
Defender- Carter Manley #2
Midfielder – J.C. Banks #29
Midfielder -Eric Leonard #3
Midfielder – Josiel Nunez #70 (86’ – Brandon Eaton #6)
Forward- Don Smart #7 â½PK 45+3’
Forward – Paulo Jr. #11
Forward- Danny Tenorio #10 (72’- Brian Bement #14)
Substitutes
G- Ryan Coulter #1
D- Carl Schneider #23
M- Louis Bennett #21
M- Brandon Eaton #6
F- Zaire Bartley #17
F- Brian Bement #14
F- Oliver White #20
FC Tucson
Head Coach: Darren Sawatzky
Goalkeeper: Carlos Merancia #18
Defender: Lamar Batista #22 YC
Defender: Kyle Venter #12
Defender: Kody Wakasa #33
Defender: Luke Hauswirth #13
Midfielder: Erik Virgen #50
Midfielder: Karsten Hanlin #17
Midfielder: Terrón #3 (76’ Guillermo Delgado #9)
Midfielder: Ilijah Paul #21 (55’ Devyn Jambga #16)
Midfielder: Jamael Cox #11
Forward: Jordan Jones #99
Substitutes
G – Rafael Guerrero #30
D – Scott DeVoss #26
M – Colin Stripling #14
M – Luis Martinez #10
F – Devyn Jambga #16
F – Guillermo Delgado #9
F – Eti Tavares #8
Goals
Forward Madison FC
45+3’- Don Smart #7
FC Tucson
31’ – Jordan Jones #99
Yellow Cards
Forward Madison FC
80’- Connor Tobin #13
North Texas SC
66’- Lamar Batista #22
Referees
Marco Vega
Robi Hullner
Mauro Cruz
Mario Cross
Venue
Kino North Stadium – Tucson, AZ
Attendance
638
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.
