Forward Madison FC has re-signed four of its key veteran players to the team for the 2020 season, the club announced Wednesday. J.C. Banks, Paulo Júnior, Don Smart and Brian Sylvestre will all continue as Flamingos, setting a foundation as FMFC looks to improve upon a fourth place finish in USL League One.
According to Head Coach Daryl Shore, having a foundation of returning players gives his team a base to build on. Speaking on the team’s podcast, Behind the Feathers, Shore said fans should expect more re-signings to be announced in the coming weeks.
“These four guys were all integral parts of our season all year long,” Shore said. “What we built in year one was truly special, and we only have better places to go in year two. When you do that and you’re putting together your roster, you’ve got to have a core group of guys that come back.”
Forward Madison FC has re-signed four of its key veteran players to the team for the 2020 season, the club announced Wednesday. J.C. Banks, Paulo Júnior, Don Smart and Brian Sylvestre will all continue as Flamingos, setting a foundation as FMFC looks to improve upon a fourth place finish in USL League One.
According to Head Coach Daryl Shore, having a foundation of returning players gives his team a base to build on. Speaking on the team’s podcast, Behind the Feathers, Shore said fans should expect more re-signings to be announced in the coming weeks.
“These four guys were all integral parts of our season all year long,” Shore said. “What we built in year one was truly special, and we only have better places to go in year two. When you do that and you’re putting together your roster, you’ve got to have a core group of guys that come back.”
Midfielder J.C. Banks, 30, became Forward Madison’s first ever Wisconsin native when he signed for the team last December. Banks played in every one of the Flamingos’ USL League One games in 2019, and scored the goal that clinched the team a playoff berth on Oct. 5 in Lansing.
Banks, the son of former U.S. National Team defender Jimmy Banks, grew in Milwaukee, played college soccer at UW-Green Bay and competed for the Madison 56ers at Breese Stevens Field before embarking on a professional career that has lasted nine years.
Banks previously played with the Rochester Rhinos, Minnesota United and Jacksonville Armada before joining FMFC. He served primarily as a central midfielder last year, but also took turns playing up top as a central striker and further back as a defensive midfielder.
Banks scored five goals in 2019, and was one of the team's leaders in pass completion (80.4%) and chances created (40).
Midfielder J.C. Banks, 30, became Forward Madison’s first ever Wisconsin native when he signed for the team last December. Banks played in every one of the Flamingos’ USL League One games in 2019, and scored the goal that clinched the team a playoff berth on Oct. 5 in Lansing.
Banks, the son of former U.S. National Team defender Jimmy Banks, grew in Milwaukee, played college soccer at UW-Green Bay and competed for the Madison 56ers at Breese Stevens Field before embarking on a professional career that has lasted nine years.
Banks previously played with the Rochester Rhinos, Minnesota United and Jacksonville Armada before joining FMFC. He served primarily as a central midfielder last year, but also took turns playing up top as a central striker and further back as a defensive midfielder.
Banks scored five goals in 2019, and was one of the team’s leaders in pass completion (80.4%) and chances created (40).
Forward Paulo Júnior, 30, brings experience from spells in Major League Soccer with Real Salt Lake and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Paulo, who hails from Brazil, also played in every regular season game last year, scoring five goals and assisting on another five.
Paulo kickstarted his career with Shore's Miami FC back in 2010, where he was the team's leading goalscorer. Under Shore’s tutelage, Paulo earned a loan move and eventually signed a permanent contract with Real Salt Lake, where he once scored a brace against Mexican giants Cruz Azul in a CONCACAF Champions League game.
After featuring for various lower-division clubs, Paulo signed on with Forward Madison for 2019 and quickly became one of the club's most important players. Playing mostly on the left wing, Paulo led the Flamingos with 24 shots on target and set a standard defensively with his willingness to track back when not in possession.
Forward Paulo Júnior, 30, brings experience from spells in Major League Soccer with Real Salt Lake and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Paulo, who hails from Brazil, also played in every regular season game last year, scoring five goals and assisting on another five.
Paulo kickstarted his career with Shore’s Miami FC back in 2010, where he was the team’s leading goalscorer. Under Shore’s tutelage, Paulo earned a loan move and eventually signed a permanent contract with Real Salt Lake, where he once scored a brace against Mexican giants Cruz Azul in a CONCACAF Champions League game.
After featuring for various lower-division clubs, Paulo signed on with Forward Madison for 2019 and quickly became one of the club’s most important players. Playing mostly on the left wing, Paulo led the Flamingos with 24 shots on target and set a standard defensively with his willingness to track back when not in possession.
Forward Don Smart, 31, led Forward Madison in goals with nine in all competitions in 2019. The Jamaican was FMFC’s first-ever signing, and was also voted the USL League One Midseason MVP.
Smart has enjoyed a fruitful career in lower-league soccer. The winger made his name with current USL Championship club Indy Eleven, where he made over 100 appearances from 2014-2017. His performances in Indianapolis led fans to affectionately nickname Smart "Mr. Indy."
Since then, Smart has acquired a new monicker in Madison: The King from Kingston. Forward Madison's first signing didn't take long to write his name in club history, earning Mingo of the Match honors with a goal and an assist in the team's first-ever home win against Toronto FC II.
Besides topping the scoring charts for FMFC, Smart was also co-led the team in assists, equaling Paulo Júnior's tally of five.
Forward Don Smart, 31, led Forward Madison in goals with nine in all competitions in 2019. The Jamaican was FMFC’s first-ever signing, and was also voted the USL League One Midseason MVP.
Smart has enjoyed a fruitful career in lower-league soccer. The winger made his name with current USL Championship club Indy Eleven, where he made over 100 appearances from 2014-2017. His performances in Indianapolis led fans to affectionately nickname Smart “Mr. Indy.”
Since then, Smart has acquired a new monicker in Madison: The King from Kingston. Forward Madison’s first signing didn’t take long to write his name in club history, earning Mingo of the Match honors with a goal and an assist in the team’s first-ever home win against Toronto FC II.
Besides topping the scoring charts for FMFC, Smart was also co-led the team in assists, equaling Paulo Júnior’s tally of five.
Goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre, 26, is another player with Major League Soccer experience on his résumé, having spent time with the Philadelphia Union. Sylvestre caught fire during the back half of FMFC’s 2019 season, allowing just three goals in the team’s last eight regular season games.
Sylvestre grew up in Florida, but moved to Canada after high school to join the Vancouver Whitecaps residency program. After persevering through several injuries, he got his big break in 2014 while playing for the Harrisburg City Islanders against Philadelphia. The Union signed him on loan the next year, and he became a starter for the team.
After that, Sylvestre saw time with North Carolina FC and the Los Angeles Galaxy before joining FMFC. Sylvestre limited opposition to one goal per game in 2019, and kept five clean sheets.
Goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre, 26, is another player with Major League Soccer experience on his résumé, having spent time with the Philadelphia Union. Sylvestre caught fire during the back half of FMFC’s 2019 season, allowing just three goals in the team’s last eight regular season games.
Sylvestre grew up in Florida, but moved to Canada after high school to join the Vancouver Whitecaps residency program. After persevering through several injuries, he got his big break in 2014 while playing for the Harrisburg City Islanders against Philadelphia. The Union signed him on loan the next year, and he became a starter for the team.
After that, Sylvestre saw time with North Carolina FC and the Los Angeles Galaxy before joining FMFC. Sylvestre limited opposition to one goal per game in 2019, and kept five clean sheets.
Season tickets for Forward Madison FC’s 2020 season are now available! Get yours by calling 608-204-0855 or visit https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/forwardmadisonfc/season-tickets.
Season tickets for Forward Madison FC’s 2020 season are now available! Get yours by calling 608-204-0855 or visit https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/forwardmadisonfc/season-tickets.
