The inaugural USL Jägermeister Cup Final is set for Saturday night as Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC plays host to Forward Madison FC at 4Rivers Equipment Stadium at 9 p.m. ET with both clubs seeking the first silverware in their respective histories.

Here’s a look ahead to all the action on ESPN+.

Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC vs. Forward Madison FC
Where: 4Rivers Equipment Stadium
When: 9 p.m. ET
Watch: ESPN+

How They Got Here

Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (6-0-2, 21pts, group stage; SF: 2-0 vs. Union Omaha) – The Hailstorm maintained their position as the lone side to stand undefeated in the tournament as they advanced with a 2-0 victory against Union Omaha in the Semifinals two weeks ago. Ethan Hoard and Bruno Rendón scored second-half goals for Northern Colorado to highlight a dominant performance for the hosts that saw Omaha unable to register a shot on target after it was reduced to 10 players midway through the first half. The combination of Rendon and Hoard has been one of the stories of the tournament with Rendon having scored eight goals in seven appearances and Hoard having notched six goals and four assists. The Hailstorm will be hoping they can maintain that magic and lead the side to victory.

Forward Madison FC (5-1-2, 17pts, group stage; SF: 2-1 vs. Charlotte Independence) – The Flamingos claimed the first knockout victory in League One competition in their history to advance to their first final with a 2-1 victory against the Charlotte Independence in the Semifinals at Breese Stevens Field as Mitchell Osmond and Christian Chaney found the net two weeks ago.  The result was part of a current eight-game undefeated streak Madison has built to put itself in a strong position in the League One standings, with the side coming off a third consecutive victory this past weekend at home to Spokane Velocity FC. The Hailstorm were the last side to defeat the Flamingos in league play, however, on an early goal at Breese Stevens Field on July 27, a result the visitors will be looking to avenge as they take aim at the trophy.

All-Time Series

The Hailstorm have earned a 4-2-2 record against the Flamingos in League One play over their histories, including a 4-1 victory when the teams met in the 2023 USL League One Playoffs last October that saw former NoCo star Trevor Amann record a hat trick. Madison’s most recent win in the series came in a 3-1 victory on August 20, 2022, since when the Hailstorm are 4-0-1 across the regular season and playoffs and have outscored Madison 9-1.

Opta Says

20 – Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC has scored 20 of its 24 goals in the USL Jägermeister Cup from open play, double the total of its closest rivals in the tournament. Forward Madison FC and Union Omaha have each scored 10 goals from open play.

27.6 – The 19 players that have seen action for Forward Madison FC in the 2024 USL Jägermeister Cup have an average age of 27.6 years old, with 24-year-old Wolfgang Prentice the youngest player to have appeared for the side in the Cup or League One this season.

Players to Watch

Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC – Bruno Rendón: The Cuban forward has scored in every game he has appeared in the Jägermeister Cup this season, recording eight goals in seven appearances, and will be a player the Flamingos have to contain to keep the Hailstorm from succeeding in the attacking third.

Forward Madison FC – Timmy Mehl: The veteran center back has recorded 19 interceptions, 22 recoveries and 16 clearances in seven appearances in the USL Jägermeister Cup and will look to marshal the Flamingos’ back line in its pursuit of victory.