North Carolina FC Scores Late to Defeat Forward Madison
September 17, 2022 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Forward Madison FC News Release
Forward Madison FC battled against North Carolina FC on Saturday, September 17th at 5:00 pm CT. The Flamingos’ Family Night match took place at Breese Stevens Field in Madison, Wisconsin, where the Forward Faithful fans were able to partake in fun family activities during the match. The match resulted in a 2-1 win for North Carolina FC. Nazeem Bartman scored a goal in the 81st minute equalized the score at the time, but a stoppage time goal from NCFC saw the visitor grab 3 points on the road.
The first half started with a couple of quick fouls by the ‘Mingos. In the 4th minute of the match, North Carolina’s Showkat Tahir drove through the Forward Madison backline and threaded a through ball to Garrett McLaughlin who fired a shot into the lower left corner of the goal. After the early North Carolina goal, Forward Madison stepped up and began playing more aggressively. At the 13th minute mark, Cesar Murillo was issued a yellow card as he prevented McLaughlin from getting a breakaway. By the 18th minute, the ‘Mingos ramped up their offense. Forward Madison nearly scored on its first corner of the match as Cyrus Rad connected his head with the Mikey Maldonado corner. Rad’s header went just wide of the goal. At the 33rd minute, the Flamingos began to control the possession. Quick passes gave Maldonado space inside to drive then get the ball to Jeremiah Streng, who attempted a shot but was tackled. The remainder of the first half winded down as neither team was able to record any quality chances. The squads entered the halftime break with NCFC ahead 1-0.
Coach Matt Glaeser started the second half by making a couple of substitutions. Matheus Cassini and Alann Torres entered onto the pitch for Rojay Smith and Alvin Jones. The ‘Mingos kicked off the second half strongly, as they pressured North Carolina and recorded a corner kick right away in the 47th minute. Moments later, Forward Madison was awarded a free kick in which Streng connected with the cross and headed it at the goal, but NCFC saved it. One of Madison’s best chances of the second half came at the 61st minute mark. Maldonado received a cross and headed it to Cassini inside the box. Cassini headed it at the goal but North Carolina’s keeper, Will Pulisic, just managed to get his fingers on the ball to make the save.
With less than 30 minutes remaining in the match, Coach Glaeser switched on some strikers, Nazeem Bartman and Abdou Mbacke-Thiam subbed on for Streng and Justin Sukow. At the 71st minute mark, North Carolina began to threaten again on offense. Luckily for the ‘Mingos, Raiko Arozarena made a couple of massive saves to prevent NCFC from adding to their lead. In the 81st minute, the Flamingos finally evened up the score. Cassini intercepted the ball from NCFC and drove down the field with no defenders near him. The NCFC keeper came at Cassini and the midfielder passed it to a wide open Bartman who shot the ball into the open net. With the score now knotted up at 1-1, the ‘Mingos started to control the momentum. The referees awarded six minutes of stoppage time to determine the crucial match. In the 90+4th minute, Shakeem Adams took a free kick for North Carolina FC just outside of the Forward Madison box. The free kick sailed into the upper right hand corner of the goal, giving NCFC a 2-1 lead. Forward Madison was unable to score another late equalizer and fell at home.
Forward Madison FC will hit the road for their next match to take on Central Valley Fuego FC on Wednesday, September 21st at 9:30 pm CT. North Carolina will face off against FC Tucson on Tuesday, September 20th at 9:00 pm.
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