FORWARD MADISON FC FALL TO BIRMINGHAM LEGION IN USL JÄGERMEISTER CUP MATCH
The ‘Gos were unable to find the result on the road despite pulling level in the second half
Lineup Notes
MAD: #2 Chilaka #3 Viader, #6 Murphy Jr., #9 McLaughlin (Brown 82’), #10 Mesias (Angking 63’), #11 Garcia (Boyce 63’), #13 Ereku (Mehl 63’), #16 Crull, #19 Galindrez (Dourado 63’), #25 Sousa, #36 Lapsley
ALL SUBS USED: Schipmann, Graffin,
BHM: #57 Delgado, #43 Tiago, #13 Rufe, #17 Laszo, #20 Paterson, #4 Hamouda (Centeno 78’), #15 Pasher, #14 Shashoua (Saucedo 78’) , #19 Martinez (McIllhatton 89’), #21 Tregarthen (Turnbull 65’) , #9 Damus (Tabor-Etaka 89’)
Subs: Van Oekel, Torres, Howell
Match Action
The match started off fast-paced with Legion taking an early rip in the 3’ that went wide right of Forward’s goal frame. Legion won a free kick in a dangerous area that just went over the goal off of the head of Paterson in the 8’. Lapsley came up with a great save in the 9’ off a shot from range, again from Paterson. Legion continued to apply the offensive pressure with a win-and-in scenario for them to advance in the tournament on the line motivating their play. Lapsley made another big stop when Shashoua found space in the 14’. Lapsley came up with another incredible stop in the 25’ rushing out from his line and denying Pasher. Legion finally picked the lock in the 30’ despite an incredible effort from the Forward defense. Galindrez had a great chance in the 42’ with a rip that didn’t miss by much. Lapsley made yet another unbelievable save in the 46’ when he punched away a screamer from Tregarthen. Galindrez found another chance in the 48’ when he tried to chip the keeper but couldn’t quite get the pace he needed on the ball to beat Delgado. Despite absorbing the offensive pressure from the favored USL Championship side well, the Mingos went into the break down 1-0 to Birmingham.
The second half started with an immediate save from FMFC Keeper, Wallis Lapsley, in the 46’ when he collected another shot from Shashoua. Lapsley, again, secured a laser of a shot from Tregarthen in the 59’ to keep Birmingham off of the scoresheet early in the second half. Forward injected some fresh legs into the match in the 63’ with a rare quadruple substitution. Shortly after, they won a free kick in scoring range, but they were unable to convert. The Mingos seemed to flip the switch in the second half with a much stronger attacking mindset compared to the first half. Forward Madison were able to find a goal of their own in the 71’ when newcomer, Isaac Angking, made a splash burying a banger on his first night as Mingo. Lapsley continued his heroics in the 77’, denying another goal-scoring opportunity for Legion. However, Saucedo found a second goal for Birmingham in the 81’ to put Birmingham back on top. Despite the bolstered attacking mindset and maintaining much more possession than in the first half, the Mingos were unable to find the comeback. Legion took all three points and advanced in the tournament with a 2-1 scoreline at the final whistle. This result officially knocks Forward Madison FC out of the 2025 USL Jägermeister Cup.
Goal Summary
1-0 BHM, Damus (30’)
1-1 MAD, Angking (71’)
2-1 BHM, Saucedo (81’)
Disciplinary Summary
Yellow, BHM – Hamouda (25’)
Yellow, MAD – Murphy Jr. (26’)
Yellow, MAD – Sousa (28’)
Yellow, BHM – Tregarthen (33’)
Yellow- MAD – Crull (53’)
Yellow- BHM – Paterson (75’)
Yellow- MAD – Bench (87’)
Next Match
Next up, FMFC is back home for USL League One action on August 2nd at 5pm. The Mingos face off against league newcomers, AV Alta FC, for the first time ever. The night is set to be entertaining on and off the pitch with special guest, Chauncey Leopardi, aka “Squints” from The Sandlot making a special Baseball Night appearance at Breese Stevens. Fans can get VIP Meet & Greet tickets here or regular match tickets here.
About Forward Madison FC: Forward Madison FC is a charter member of USL League One, launched in the Spring of 2019. The Flamingos were a USL League One playoff team in 2019 and 2023, and have made an international name for themselves with a fun-loving, flamboyant brand. More information and registration for the team’s weekly newsletter is available at www.forwardmadisonfc.com. Follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
