North Texas SC started its title defense with a win in the club’s first-ever match at Globe Life Park, defeating Forward Madison FC 2-1. 

The Title-Holders started well as Benjamin Redzic opened the scoring in the 11th minute. Redzic beat his defender on the flank and drove towards goal, firing a deflected shot that beat goalkeeper Philipp Marceta for the game’s opening goal. 

Madison’s new target man Wojciech Wojcik equalized midway through the first half, utilizing an intelligent run to split the North Texas center backs and finish off Paulo Jr.’s low cross. 

Alex Bruce came close to scoring a second for North Texas just after halftime, but Marceta did well to keep out his close-range header. 

League One’s 2019 Golden Boot winner Ronaldo Damus pulled North Texas back into the lead just before the 60 minute mark, collecting Justin Che’s low cross and cleverly sliding a shot between Marceta’s legs for his first of the new campaign. 

North Texas continued to create chances in the final 20 minutes of the match, but couldn’t add a third goal, while Forward Madison struggled to find its legs down the stretch and failed to put a shot on target in the second half. 

With the win, North Texas joins FC Tucson in second place behind first-place Greenville Triumph SC.

SCORING SUMMARY 

11’ NTX: Redzic (first) assisted by Batista
30’ MAD: Wojcik (first) assisted by Paulo Jr. 
59’ NTX: Damus (first) assisted by Che

NEXT MATCHES

North Texas: August 1 v. Union Omaha (A) 
Madison: July 31 v. Greenville Triumph SC (H)