USL League One - Game 5
Forward Madison FC at Union Omaha
Wednesday, August 19, 2020; 7 p.m. CT
Werner Park - Papillion, NE 

Where to Watch
TVW and ESPN+
Follow @ForwardMSNFC on Twitter for live updates
Keep track of the official stats on the USL League One Match Center

Last week, Forward Madison finally got off the ground. On Wednesday , the Flamingos will attempt to soar. FMFC is set to take on Union Omaha for the first time ever this week, knowing that a win would take the team into one of USL League One’s two playoff spots. 

In a season cut down to just 16 games, Wednesday’s matchup against Omaha already seems like it could be a turning point. FMFC earned its first win of 2020 last Friday, routing South Georgia Tormenta 4-0 and lifting the team to within three points of the second-place Owls. With both clubs playing well and league position on the line, the stage is set for a showdown. 

Speaking on Behind the Feathers this week, Head Coach Daryl Shore said he expects a battle from kickoff.

“We’ve got to go in there and be ready to roll up our sleeves,” Shore said. “[We have to] take the game as it goes, try and get on the scoreboard and defend properly as we usually do. If we do that, we’ll have a chance.” 

Indeed, Forward Madison may be settling into its stride at the right time. The introduction of midfielder Michael Vang last week helped FMFC to what Shore called one of the team’s best performances in its young history. In fact, the four-goal margin of victory against Tormenta was the largest the club has ever had.

The Flamingos will be able to count on additional support this week, too, thanks the introduction of forward Noah Fuson, who officially signed with the club on Monday. Fuson can play either as a striker or a winger, and should add a level of pace to the Forward front line. 

On the other hand, Shore will have to be cognizant of his players’ fatigue. Wednesday’s contest begins a run of three matches in 11 days, making it difficult to count on the same group that battered South Georgia to be fully fit to go every time.

“There’s definitely squad rotation and management that has to be done, but at the same time it’s awfully hard to change a lot of pieces coming off a game where you score four goals,” Shore said. “We’ve just got to make sure that we’re ready for both games.”

 Forward Madison would be ill-advised to underestimate its opponent, Union Omaha, which is undefeated through three games and is coming off two straight wins. Forward Ethan Vanacore-Decker won League One’s Player of the Week award in Week 4, scoring once and assisting once in the Owls’ 2-1 victory over FC Tucson.

 In addition to its good form, Omaha will have the advantage of playing at Werner Park, a converted baseball field with extremely thin playing dimensions. The Owls have only played at home once, but looked comfortable, knocking off defending League One champion North Texas SC.

Following Wednesday’s match, Forward Madison will return to Hart Park to face Orlando City B on Sunday, Aug. 23 at 4 p.m. According to Shore, though, the team’s current focus has to stay entirely on the task at hand. 

“You can’t ever look ahead of an opponent,” Shore said. “Omaha is a very good team. We’ve got to have our full concentration on Omaha, and once that game is over we’ll turn our attention to Orlando City B.”

Forward Madison FC’s 2020 season is here! Get your tickets by calling 608-204-0855 or visit https://www.forwardmadisonfc.com/season-tickets.