The Semifinals of the inaugural USL Jägermeister Cup arrive on Wednesday night as Forward Madison FC plays host to the Charlotte Independence at Breese Stevens Field at 7 p.m. ET before Union Omaha visits Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC at 4Rivers Equipment Stadium at 9 p.m. ET for a place in the Final.

Both games will air on ESPN+, here’s a look ahead.

Forward Madison FC vs. Charlotte Independence

Where: Breese Stevens Field
When: 7 p.m. ET
Watch: ESPN+

How They Got Here

Forward Madison FC (5-1-2, 17pts) – The Flamingos took top spot in the Central Group ahead of One Knoxville SC (15pts) and Lexington SC (14pts) by taking eight points from their final three games in the group stage, capped by a penalty shootout win against Union Omaha after a wild 3-3 draw at Breese Stevens Field. Madison’s scoring was spread across its attack, with Christian Chaney, Derek Gebhard and Wolfgang Prentice all finding the net twice while center back Timmy Mehl starred defensively with 18 interceptions while completing 320 passes at an accuracy rate of 88.2 percent. 

Charlotte Independence (3-4-1, 14pts) – The Independence claimed top spot in the East Group in the final round of games in the group stage. A 1-0 win against Greenville Triumph SC through Dustin Corea’s winner 13 minutes from full time jumped Charlotte above their South Carolina rival as the side ended the group stage with only one defeat in regulation. The Independence were led by J.C. Obregon Jr. as he recorded three goals and three assists in the group stage but the 26-year-old may be unavailable for Wednesday’s game after earning his first call-up by Honduras for its games in the Concacaf Nations League. That means the burden could fall on veteran playmaker Gabrien Obertan – who had one goal and three assists in group play – and Luiz Álvarez to guide the side as it looks for its second Final in club history.

All-Time Series

The Independence have a 3-0-3 record against Madison in their previous meetings in USL League One, but the Flamingos took a 2-1 victory at Charlotte’s American Legion Memorial Stadium in the group stage on May 11 as Chaney and Gebhard found the net for the visitors.

Opta Says

2 – Forward Madison FC only conceded two first-half goals in eight games in the group stage, tied for the fewest goals allowed in the first half in the tournament.

5 – The Charlotte Independence recorded five goals from outside the penalty area in the group stage, the most of any club in the tournament.

Players to Watch

Forward Madison FC – Derek Gebhard: The 28-year-old notched a pair of goals in the group stage and has also scored two goals and three assists in the League One regular season and could be a key figure as the Flamingos look to reach the first Final in club history.

Charlotte Independence – Luis Álvarez: The 21-year-old notched three goals and two assists in the group stage and has also bagged three goals in the League One regular season. If J.C. Obregon is unavailable due to international duty, it could be the Honduran who steps up to deliver for the visitors.

Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC vs. Union Omaha

Where: 4Rivers Equipment Stadium
When: 9 p.m. ET
Watch: ESPN+

How They Got Here

Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (6-0-2, 21pts) – The Hailstorm ended the group stage as the lone team with an undefeated record to sit on top of the West Group. Its only setback came in a penalty shootout against Union Omaha in its opening game, and the side then won six of its remaining seven games in regulation – including a 2-0 win at home against Omaha on July 19. Bruno Rendon led the highest-scoring attack with seven goals while being ably backed by Ethan Hoard, whose five goals and four assists gave him the most goal contributions by an individual player.

Union Omaha (3-2-3, 14pts) – Los Búhos advanced as the Wild Card thanks to a free-scoring attack that was part of some of the most entertaining games of the group stage. Omaha’s 16 goals were the second-highest total in the group stage, sending the side through to the knockout stage despite finishing with one fewer point than One Knoxville SC in the Central Group. The attack was led by Steevan Dos Santos, who had five goals in 350 minutes in the group stage, while Missael Rodriguez and Pedro Dolabella each had four goals apiece. The visitors will now try to upset the Hailstorm as they look to add to the USL League One title and Players’ Shield that reside in the club’s trophy case.

All-Time Series

The Hailstorm took a 3-2-2 edge in the all-time series in League One between the clubs earlier this season with a 2-1 victory at Werner Park and went 1-0-1 when the sides met the group stage, including a 2-0 win at 4Rivers Equipment Stadium on July 19 that saw Billy King and Brecc Evans score for the hosts.  

Opta Says

13 – Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC scored 13 second-half goals in its eight group games, the most of any club in either half during the opening stage of the tournament.

4 – Union Omaha conceded four goals from outside the penalty area during the group stage, the most of any team in the tournament.

Players to Watch

Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC – Ethan Hoard: The 23-year-old has come alive in Jägermeister Cup play with five goals and four assists, which currently outstrips his regular season numbers in both categories. He’ll look to continue that form in the Semifinals as NoCo looks to reach the first final in club history.

Union Omaha – Steevan Dos Santos: The Cape Verde veteran has recorded 10 goals across League One and Jägermeister Cup play at a strike rate of a goal every 123.8 minutes. Dos Santos has been a player for the big occasion in the past, recording seven goals in 12 appearances in the USL Championship Playoffs in his career.