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Forward Madison mounts dramatic comeback to secure first ever win

By Forward Madison FC, 04/19/19, 9:45PM CDT

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Flamingos score two second half goals to defeat Orlando City B 2-1 on the road

MONTVERDE, FL - Forward Madison FC came back from a goal down to win 2-1 over Orlando City B and secure the team’s first win in club history Friday night. The Flamingos had conceded from a penalty kick in the first half, but came out of the break firing, as midfielder Josiel Núñez scored a curling effort to mark the first goal in club history, and then defender Shaun Russell poked home the rebound from a Núñez free kick with 20 minutes to go, which gave FMFC a lead it did not relinquish.

It was a historic result for FMFC, which had narrowly lost each of its previous two games, and sets the stage for an electric home opener next week on April 27 at Breese Stevens Field.

 The Flamingos went on the attack early, launching several quick counter attacks that ended with shots on goal by forward Don Smart. Núñez came perhaps closest to opening the scoring in the 16th minute, escaping from a jersey tug to fire just wide of the near post.

 Eventually, though, FMFC went down a goal. Orlando striker Luc Granitur and FMFC defender Connor Tobin both fell down in the Forward Madison 18-yard box, prompting referee Natalie Simon to point to the spot for a penalty kick. Orlando’s Koby Osei-Wusu converted, FMFC’s second penalty kick goal allowed in two games.

Coming out of the halftime interval, Orlando had the first opportunity to score. Granitur stole the ball off FMFC defender Shaun Russell in the 52nd, leaving him one-on-one with Forward Madison goalkeeper Ryan Coulter. With the situation looking desperate, Coulter sprinted off his line and closed down the angle, pouncing on Granitur’s shot and keeping the Flamingos within one. 

Then, in the 58th minute, it happened. FMFC winger Paulo Júnior side-footed a pass to Núñez at the top of the box. With defenders closing in on him and no one to pass to, Núñez took his chance at goal, striking the ball with the inside of his right foot. His shot curled away and back toward Orlando’s goalkeeper, who reached out an arm but could only just touch the ball as it settled into the back of the net. Núñez had scored the first goal in Forward Madison history, and the score was tied at 1-1.

In the 70th minute, the second goal came. Orlando had been penalized for a handball just outside its penalty area, and Núñez stepped up to take the free kick. He managed to ping the ball off the crossbar, and Russell stuck out a foot and knocked home the rebound.

In true Forward fashion, though, the final minutes didn’t come easy. Smart received two yellow cards in the 81st minute, thus earning a red card and a sending-off. Down to ten men, the Flamingos had to persevere, holding off Orlando’s attacks throughout the rest of regulation and five minutes of stoppage time.  

In the end, though, Simon blew the final whistle, and the celebrations ensued. Hundreds of miles away in Madison, supporters who had gathered together at bars and homes posted videos of their delirious reactions. 

With its first win now achieved, Forward Madison will now return to Wisconsin next Saturday for its inaugural home opener at Breese Stevens Field. A limited number of tickets are still available for the game, but most have already been sold.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: http://bit.ly/2IKq1S6

SCORING SUMMARY:
36’: Orlando City B - Koby Osei-Wusu (penalty kick)
58’: Forward Madison FC - Josiel Núñez (assist Paulo Júnior)
70’: Forward Madison FC - Shaun Russell

DISCIPLINE SUMMARY
25’: Orlando City B - Luc Granitur, yellow card
55’: Orlando City B - Serginho, yellow card
67’: Orlando City B - Nathan Simeon, yellow card
72’: Forward Madison FC - Mason Toye, yellow card
81’: Forward Madison FC - Don Smart, yellow card
81’: Forward Madison FC - Don Smart, red card (via second yellow)
85’: Forward Madison FC - Jeff Michaud, yellow card

Forward Madison FC: Ryan Coulter; Christian “Pato” Díaz, Shaun Russell, Connor Tobin, Carter Manley; Eric Leonard, J.C. Banks (Jeff Michaud 73’), Josiel Núñez (Jiro Barriga Toyama, 89’); Paulo Júnior, Don Smart, Mason Toye (Brian Bement 84’)

Unused substitutes: Brian Sylvestre, Carl Schneider, Zaire Bartley, Ally Hamis Ng’Anzi

Orlando City B: Juliano Chade; Randy Mendoza, Matheus Silva, Nathan Simeon, Leonardo Simas; Alasanne Ates Diouf (Austin Amer 37’), Serginho, Koby Osei-Wusu; Steven Hernández (Sebastian Joffre Soliz 73’), Thiago Souza (Tresor Mbuyu 61’), Luc Granitur

Unused substitutes: Christian Herrera, Jordan Hill, Tanner Hummel, Jordan Bender

Forward Madison FC’s inaugural season is here! The team will open at home on Saturday, April 27 at 7:00 PM vs Greenville Triumph SC. Fans can get tickets for all matches this season by visiting https://www.forwardmadisonfc.com/tickets.

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