Forward Madison FC

American soccer team

Soccer club

Forward Madison FC

Nickname(s)| The Flamingos
Founded| May 17, 2018; 6 years ago (2018-05-17)
Stadium| Breese Stevens Field
Capacity| 5,000
Owner| Big Top Events
COO| Conor Caloia
Coach| Matt Glaeser
League| USL League One
2024| USL League One, 3rd of 12
Playoffs: Semifinals
Website| forwardmadisonfc.com

Home colors

Away colors

|

Current season

Forward Madison FC is an American professional soccer team based in Madison, Wisconsin. The team was founded in 2018, and played its inaugural season in 2019. The team competes in USL League One, the third division of the US soccer league system and plays their home matches at Breese Stevens Field.

## History

[edit]

In January 2018, it was announced that Big Top Events, which owns the Madison Mallards and has operated Breese Stevens Field since 2015, were planning to bring a soccer franchise to Madison which would begin in early 2019.[1] As part of the plan, Big Top Events looked to have $2 million invested into renovating the stadium, pending a contract renegotiation with the City of Madison.[2] Big Top Events wished to have a longer-term lease, along with an increase in the number of concerts at the stadium, more employees at the venue, and $1.6 million from the city for facility upgrades.[3]

On May 15, 2018, the Madison City Council approved a new ten-year contract with Big Top Events. As part of the agreement, the city agreed to pay $1.3 million toward facility improvements.[4] This included an expansion of the stadium for a seating capacity of 5,000.[5] Following this, Madison was officially announced as the fourth founding member of USL League One on May 17, 2018.[6] The professional league, which is the third division in the US soccer league system, began in March 2019.[7][8] Madison became the first team based in the Midwestern United States to join the league, and is the only current outdoor professional soccer team in Wisconsin.[9] Following the announcement, Peter Wilt was appointed as managing director of the team.[10] Wilt is well known for founding new clubs; Madison was the sixth team Wilt helped launch, having previously been involved in the formation of teams such as Chicago Fire and Indy Eleven.[11][12]

Logo of Madison Pro Soccer prior to the club name being chosen

In June 2018, Madison Pro Soccer began a "Name Your Club" online voting contest to recommend a name for the team.[13][14] Names under consideration spanned from traditional football names like "Madison United FC" to such whimsical choices as "Holsteins", "Madison Curds", and "77 Square Miles SC". On July 16, it was announced that the final vote was between the names "Forward Madison FC/SC" and "AFC Madison".[15] Forward Madison FC was announced as the official name on November 18, 2018, along with the logo and team colors, at an event at the Wisconsin Historical Society.[16] "Forward" is the state motto of Wisconsin.[17]

On September 27, 2018, Daryl Shore was announced as the first head coach of Madison.[18][19] He will also serve as the technical director of the team.[20][21] Shore had previously worked in various roles at Chicago Fire with Peter Wilt, and served as the interim coach of Real Salt Lake in 2017.[22][23] In September 2018, Don Smart was the team's first player signing, which was announced on October 24.[24]

On December 7, 2018, the club announced a one-year affiliation agreement with Minnesota United FC of Major League Soccer.[25]

Following the club's inaugural season, Peter Wilt left to take a position with the league, developing supporters groups and assisting teams with their fan engagement.[26]

On March 5, 2020, the Forward Madison FC announced a one-year affiliation agreement with the Chicago Fire FC of Major League Soccer.[27]

On December 1, 2020, Carl Craig was announced as the head coach and technical director. Craig had previously served as the head coach of NASL club Minnesota United.[28] Following a 9th-place finish in 2021, Craig was dismissed.[29]

Leading up to the 2022 season, Matt Glaeser was hired as head coach and technical director.[30] In an email to season ticket holders before the final game of the 2022 season, COO Conor Caloia confirmed that Glaeser would return for the 2023 season.[31]

### Social media presence

[edit]

The team started receiving national attention in January 2019, during the polar vortex, when the social media intern tweeted a photo of a plastic flamingo stuck in the snow accumulating on the field.[32] Within a few days, the snow became deep enough to cover the entire flamingo.[33] This second tweet went viral, ending up with over 22 thousand likes, and 7.8 thousand retweets.[34] "Full mingo" has become a catchphrase for the team.[33][35]

Forward Madison has continued to have a strong digital media presence, which the club uses to promote itself to fans outside of the Madison area, billing itself as "the world's second favorite team".[35][36]

### Mascot

[edit]

On May 4, 2019, Forward Madison unveiled its dairy cow mascot, named "Lionela Bessi" following a fan vote.[37][38] The club announced a retirement party for Bessi to be held at their 2024 home opener on April 13, 2024.[39]

The club adopted Bessi's calf as a mascot as well. A second fan vote ended up with the name "Rose Cowbelle," after the University of Wisconsin alumna and pro player Rose Lavelle.[40]

## Stadium

[edit]

Breese Stevens Field hosts the team's matches.

Further information: Breese Stevens Field

The team plays their matches at Breese Stevens Field in Madison, which was expanded from a grandstand capacity of 3,740 to 5,000.[41] The stadium, which was built in 1925, is the city's oldest sports park. It is owned by the City of Madison and has been operated since 2015 by Big Top Events.[5] The venue has been designated as a city landmark since 1995, and in 2015 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[42] The stadium hosts the East High School soccer and football teams, the Madison Radicals ultimate team, as well as other sport competitions, concerts, and community events.[3]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the club moved its 2020 USL League One season games to Hart Park in Wauwatosa, seventy-five miles away.[43][44]

### Attendance

[edit]

Forward Madison FC's inaugural 2019 season saw an average home attendance of 4,292, the highest in USL League One.[45][46]

## Uniforms

[edit]

### Badge and colors

[edit]

Madison's city flag

The team's logo features a flamingo, as the city's official bird is the plastic flamingo lawn ornament.[47] It was designed at Madison-based graphic design firm Planet Propaganda.[48]

The club's light blue color comes from the Madison flag, as does the white sash. At the bottom of the badge, Roman numerals spell out 608, the city's area code.[49]

### Sponsorship

[edit]

Kit manufacturer  | Period  | Shirt sponsor  | Sleeve sponsor

|
|
|

Hummel | 2019  | Dairyland Insurance | —
2020–2024  | Just Coffee Co-op

### Uniform history

[edit]

Forward Madison FC has become known for creating "bold, interesting jerseys year after year".[50] Those jerseys have also been a huge retail success; in their inaugural season, Forward Madison earned twice as much from shirt sales as the rest of USL League One combined. In 2021, team COO Conor Caloia revealed that 20 percent of the club's gross revenue comes from merchandise, as compared to 8-10% for most other teams.[51]

Forward Madison's home jerseys feature a sky blue field with white sash, a reference to the city's flag (which itself references the geography of the city on an isthmus). A sublimated flamingo design appears on the home shirt, and sublimated pink flamingos dot the club's inaugural white away jersey.[47]

On March 14, 2020, Forward Madison unveiled its second-ever change shirt. The design features diagonal pink stripes, with names of 900 season ticket holders in the white space between.[52] The shirt was designed by members of the supporters group The Flock, in what is believed to be a first for professional sports.[53]

The club's original pink-patterned third jersey, worn in U.S. Open Cup appearances, was selected as the best world soccer jersey in satellite radio channel SiriusXM FC's 2019 "Kit of the Year" competition. It defeated the Chicago Red Stars home kit with over 200,000 votes.[54][55] A new third kit, featuring a swirling pattern of navy blue, sky blue, and pink, was unveiled on May 23, 2020.[56][57] Called the "Drip Kit", it was inspired by team designer Cassidy Sepnieski's experiments with hydro dipping.[58]

On June 23, 2021, Forward Madison unveiled a new third kit for 2021, including a fully reversible jersey. Dubbed the "Beach/Club" jersey, it is black with hot pink flamingos on one side, and pink with a hand-drawn Aloha shirt-style design on the other featuring flamingoes, palm trees, and the Wisconsin State Capitol.[59] They wore the shirt at their next match, playing in the black side for the first half and reversing it to the pink side for the second half. The team believes this was the first time such a change had been pre-planned for a competitive match, as opposed to needing to address clash issues arising during one. The gimmick had been cleared with the USL ahead of time, after the league consulted the Laws of the Game and found no prohibition against it.[51]

Later that year, Forward Madison held an unveiling ceremony in Madison and London for the release of an additional shirt to be worn only for friendlies, known as the "Friends With Benefits" shirt. Also designed by Cassidy Sepnieski, the shirt is covered with checkers of team colors pink, sky blue, and dark blue in fading gradients, with one of the squares being a QR code. Fans away from Madison can scan that code to purchase a beer for a fan at Breese Stevens Field. Fans in attendance at a home match can redeem one of the purchased beers and are given the name, location, and social handles of the purchaser so they can reach out to thank them.[60][61] The club's stated intention with this shirt is "to connect the global soccer community through kits and beer".[62]

#### Home

[edit]

2019–2020

2021–2022

2023–present

|
|

#### Away

[edit]

2019

2020

2021

2022

|
|
|

#### Alternate

[edit]

2019

2020

2021

2021

2021

|
|
|
|

## Supporters

[edit]

The club recognizes six independent supporters groups, each with a different focus.[63] The Flock is the first and largest group, and the Independent Supporters' Association for the club.[64] The other groups are La Barra 608, by and for Latino fans, Forward Union with a focus on community service, Featherstone Flamingos, an inclusive group that celebrates Black culture (named for Don Featherstone, creator of the plastic lawn flamingo), Accessimingos, the first supporters group in North America focused on fans with disabilities,[65] and Mingo Ladies for supporters who identify as women. A portion of members of the Flock also run a group centered around civic engagement called "Pink Tape".[66]

The club also has an international membership program called Mingos Worldwide, which comes with a scarf bearing their promotional slogan "The World's Second Favorite Team".[36][17]

Alternative rock act The Racing Pulses wrote the song "Go, Forward!" for Forward Madison FC. The official music video for the song was released in 2020. It was filmed at Breese Stevens Field and features Mandela Barnes.[67][68][69][70]

## Players and staff

[edit]

### Current roster

[edit]

As of January 22, 2025 (2025-01-22).[71] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

1  | GK |  PHI | Bernd Schipmann
2  | DF |  ISR | Michael Chilaka
4  | DF |  AUS | Mitch Osmond (captain)
5  | DF |  USA | Timmy Mehl
6  | MF |  USA | John Murphy
8  | MF |  USA | Devin Boyce
10  | MF |  ENG | Aiden Mesias
12  | FW |  USA | Garrett McLaughlin
| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

16  | DF |  AUT | Jake Crull
17  | FW |  USA | Derek Gebhard
19  | FW |  COL | Juan Galindrez
24  | FW |  RSA | Nazeem Bartman
25  | DF |  COD | Ferrety Sousa
-- | MF |  GER | Jackson Dietrich
-- | MF |  USA | Chris Garcia
-- | GK |  USA | Wallis Lapsley

### Coaches and management

[edit]

Coaching staff

Matt Glaeser | Head coach and technical director
Neil Hlavaty | Assistant coach
Aaron Hohlbein | Assistant coach
Jim Launder | Assistant coach
John Pascarella | Assistant coach
Sport management and organization
Conor Caloia  | Chief operating officer
Vern Stenman  | President
Keith Tiemeyer  | Director of Soccer Operations & Development

## Records

[edit]

### Year-by-year

[edit]

All records as of November 9, 2024 (2024-11-09).

Season  | League  | Regular Season  | Playoffs  | U.S. Open Cup | USL Cup | Top scorer  | Average
attendance

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | Pos | Player  | Goals
2019 | USL1 | 28  | 12  | 7  | 9  | 33  | 26  | 43  | 4th  | Semifinals | Third round | —  |  Don Smart | 9  | 4,292
2020 | USL1 | 16  | 5  | 6  | 5  | 20  | 14  | 21  | 7th  | Did not qualify | Cancelled |  Michael Vang | 4  | 504
2021 | USL1 | 28  | 8  | 12  | 8  | 32  | 34  | 36  | 9th  | Did not qualify | Cancelled |  Jake Keegan | 6  | 2,761
2022 | USL1 | 30  | 7  | 12  | 11  | 34  | 44  | 33  | 9th  | Did not qualify | Third round |  Jeremiah Streng | 7  | 3,877
2023 | USL1 | 32  | 11  | 10  | 11  | 38  | 40  | 43  | 6th  | Quarterfinals | Second round |  Christian Chaney | 11  | 4,310
2024 | USL1 | 22  | 10  | 9  | 3  | 35  | 18  | 39  | 3rd  | Semifinals | Second round | Runners-up |  Christian Chaney | 12  | 4,083

### Head coach records

[edit]

All records as of November 9, 2024 (2024-11-09). Includes regular season, playoffs, U.S. Open Cup, USL Cup. Excludes friendlies. Games going to penalty kicks marked as draws.

Name  | From  | To  | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Win%

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Daryl Shore | September 27, 2018 (2018-09-27) | October 27, 2020 (2020-10-27) | 48 | 19 | 13 | 16 | 59 | 45 | 039.58
Carl Craig | December 1, 2020 (2020-12-01) | November 4, 2021 (2021-11-04) | 28 | 8 | 12 | 8 | 32 | 34 | 028.57
Matt Glaeser | December 3, 2021 (2021-12-03) | Present  | 102 | 37 | 34 | 31 | 127 | 123 | 036.27

### Player records

[edit]

All statistics as of November 9, 2024 (2024-11-09). Players currently under contract by Forward Madison FC are in bold.

#### Most appearances

[edit]

Competitive matches only, includes appearances as substitute. Numbers in parentheses indicate goals scored.

Rank  | Player  | Years  | League  | Playoffs  | U.S. Open Cup | USL Cup | Total

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  |  Derek Gebhard | 2021–  | 105 (15)  | 3 (1)  | 2 (0)  | 10 (2)  | 120 (18)
2  |  Eric Leonard | 2019–2022  | 95 (1)  | 1 (0)  | 4 (0)  | 0 (0)  | 100 (1)
3  |  Mitch Osmond | 2022–  | 75 (1)  | 3 (0)  | 2 (0)  | 8 (1)  | 88 (2)
4  |  Connor Tobin | 2019–2021  | 69 (3)  | 1 (0)  | 3 (0)  | 0 (0)  | 73 (3)
5  |  Nazeem Bartman | 2022–  | 62 (10)  | 1 (0)  | 4 (1)  | 4 (0)  | 71 (11)
6  |  Stephen Payne | 2023–2024  | 54 (3)  | 3 (0)  | 3 (0)  | 9 (0)  | 69 (3)
7  |  Jake Crull | 2023–  | 52 (3)  | 3 (0)  | 3 (0)  | 10 (0)  | 68 (3)
Bernd Schipmann | 2023–  | 54 (0)  | 3 (0)  | 1 (0)  | 10 (0)  | 68 (0)
9  |  Christian Díaz | 2019–2021  | 59 (2)  | 1 (0)  | 3 (1)  | 0 (0)  | 63 (3)
10  |  Jiro Barriga Toyama | 2019–2021  | 58 (1)  | 1 (0)  | 3 (2)  | 0 (0)  | 62 (3)
Christian Chaney | 2023–2024  | 48 (16)  | 3 (1)  | 2 (2)  | 9 (4)  | 62 (23)

#### Top goalscorers

[edit]

Competitive matches only. Numbers in parentheses indicate appearances made.

Rank  | Player  | Years  | League  | Playoffs  | U.S. Open Cup | USL Cup | Total

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  |  Christian Chaney | 2023–2024  | 16 (48) | 1 (3) | 2 (2) | 4 (9) | 23 (62)
2  |  Derek Gebhard | 2021–  | 15 (105) | 1 (3) | 0 (2) | 2 (10) | 18 (120)
3  |  Nazeem Bartman | 2022–  | 10 (62) | 0 (1) | 1 (4) | 0 (4) | 11 (71)
4  |  Don Smart | 2019–2020  | 9 (43) | 0 (1) | 1 (3) | 0 (0) | 10 (47)
5  |  Paulo Jr. | 2019–2020  | 8 (43) | 0 (1) | 0 (2) | 0 (0) | 8 (46)
6  |  Devin Boyce | 2024–  | 5 (20) | 1 (2) | 0 (1) | 1 (10) | 7 (33)
Juan Galindrez | 2024–  | 6 (22) | 0 (2) | 0 (2) | 1 (10) | 7 (36)
Jeremiah Streng | 2022  | 7 (30) | 0 (0) | 0 (2) | 0 (0) | 7 (32)
9  |  Jake Keegan | 2021  | 6 (23) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 6 (23)
Aiden Mesias | 2023–  | 6 (44) | 0 (0) | 0 (3) | 0 (9) | 6 (56)
Wolfgang Prentice | 2023
2024  | 4 (30) | 0 (2) | 0 (2) | 2 (9) | 6 (43)

#### Top assist scorers

[edit]

Competitive matches only. Numbers in parentheses indicate appearances made.

Rank  | Player  | Years  | League  | Playoffs  | U.S. Open Cup | USL Cup | Total

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  |  Derek Gebhard | 2021–  | 11 (105) | 0 (3) | 0 (2) | 0 (10) | 11 (120)
Paulo Jr. | 2019–2020  | 9 (43) | 0 (1) | 2 (2) | 0 (0) | 11 (46)
3  |  Don Smart | 2019–2020  | 8 (43) | 0 (1) | 1 (3) | 0 (0) | 9 (47)
4  |  Jayden Onen | 2023  | 6 (26) | 0 (0) | 1 (1) | 0 (0) | 7 (27)
Cyrus Rad | 2021–2022  | 6 (40) | 0 (0) | 1 (1) | 0 (0) | 7 (41)
6  |  Nazeem Bartman | 2022–  | 6 (62) | 0 (1) | 0 (4) | 0 (4) | 6 (71)
Christian Chaney | 2023–2024  | 5 (48) | 0 (3) | 0 (2) | 1 (9) | 6 (62)
Stephen Payne | 2023–2024  | 5 (54) | 1 (3) | 0 (3) | 0 (9) | 6 (69)
9  |  Matheus Cassini | 2022  | 5 (26) | 0 (0) | 0 (2) | 0 (0) | 5 (28)
Wolfgang Prentice | 2023
2024  | 4 (30) | 0 (2) | 0 (2) | 1 (9) | 5 (43)

#### Most clean sheets

[edit]

Competitive matches only. Numbers in parentheses indicate appearances made.

Rank  | Player  | Years  | League  | Playoffs  | U.S. Open Cup | USL Cup | Total

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  |  Bernd Schipmann | 2023–  | 21 (54) | 2 (3) | 0 (1) | 3 (10) | 26 (68)
2  |  Brian Sylvestre | 2019  | 5 (16) | 0 (1) | 2 (3) | 0 (0) | 7 (20)
3  |  Phil Breno | 2021–2022  | 5 (39) | 0 (0) | 1 (2) | 0 (0) | 6 (41)
4  |  Raiko Arozarena | 2022  | 4 (16) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 4 (16)
Chris Brady | 2020
2021  | 4 (9) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 4 (9)

### Captains

[edit]

Player  | Years

|

Connor Tobin | 2019–2021
Jake Keegan | 2021
Mitch Osmond | 2022–

## Honors

[edit]

### Club achievements

[edit]

* USL Jägermeister Cup
* Runners-up (1): 2024

### Player honors

[edit]

Year  | Pos. | Player  | Competition  | Honor  | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|

2019  | DF |  Christian Díaz | USL League One | First Team All-League  | [72]
FW |  Paulo Jr. | USL League One | Second Team All-League
2020  | GK |  Chris Brady | USL League One | Young Player of the Year  | [73]
DF |  Connor Tobin | USL League One | Second Team All-League  | [74]
2021  | MF |  Aaron Molloy | USL League One | First Team All-League  | [75]
DF |  Connor Tobin | USL League One | Second Team All-League
2022  | DF |  Mikey Maldonado | USL League One | Second Team All-League  | [76]
2023  | DF |  Jake Crull | USL League One | Second Team All-League  | [77]
2024  | MF |  Devin Boyce | USL League One | First Team All-League  | [78]
DF |  Mitch Osmond | USL League One | First Team All-League
MF |  Jimmie Villalobos | USL League One | Second Team All-League

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Becker, Abigail (January 19, 2018). "Breese Stevens Field operators take steps to draw minor league soccer franchise to Madison". The Capital Times. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
2. ^ Arthur, Keely (January 24, 2018). "Events company looking to bring minor league soccer to Breese Stevens Field". Channel3000.com. WISC-TV. Archived from the original on September 24, 2018. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
3. ^ a b Mosiman, Dean; Wroge, Logan (January 25, 2018). "Madison weighs big changes for Breese Stevens Field". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
4. ^ Becker, Abigail (May 8, 2018). "Finance Committee approves 10-year Big Top contract, upgrades at Breese Stevens Field". The Capital Times. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
5. ^ a b Milewski, Todd D. (May 16, 2018). "In move toward pro soccer launch, City Council approves new contract with Big Top Events". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
6. ^ "Madison Unveiled as Fourth USL Division III Founding Member". USLD3.com. USL League One. May 17, 2018. Archived from the original on September 25, 2018. Retrieved September 23, 2018.
7. ^ Milewski, Todd D. (May 18, 2018). "It's official: Madison pro soccer team will join USL Division III league as founding member in 2019". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
8. ^ Becker, Abigail (May 17, 2018). "Breese Stevens Field will be home to Madison pro soccer team in 2019". The Capital Times. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
9. ^ Williams, Marylee (May 18, 2018). "Madison Getting First-Ever Professional Men's Soccer Team". WPR.org. Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
10. ^ Milewski, Todd D. (May 17, 2018). "Big Top hires Peter Wilt to launch pro soccer team at Breese Stevens Field in 2019". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
11. ^ Mahoney, Ridge (May 30, 2018). "Peter Wilt talks about starting up another soccer team in Madison, independent landscape and his days in Chicago and Indianapolis". socceramerica.com. Soccer America. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
12. ^ Milewski, Todd D. (May 17, 2018). "Big Top hires Peter Wilt to launch pro soccer team at Breese Stevens Field in 2019". wiscnews.com. WiscNews. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
13. ^ Michael, Popke (May 31, 2018). "Big time soccer". Isthmus. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
14. ^ Chappell, Robert (June 1, 2018). "Voting Underway to Name Madison's Pro Soccer Team". madison365.com. Madison365. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
15. ^ "Name Your Club Finals". madisonprosoccer.com. Madison Pro Soccer. July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on September 24, 2018. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
16. ^ Joyce, Jason (November 18, 2018). "'Embrace the pink!' Forward Madison F.C. soccer team reveals name, logo, colors". madison.com. The Capital Times. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
17. ^ a b Rueter, Jeff (August 12, 2019). "How USL's Forward Madison built a cult-like following in its inaugural year". theathletic.com. The Athletic. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
18. ^ "Head Coach Reveal Party". madisonprosoccer.com. Madison Pro Soccer. September 25, 2018. Archived from the original on September 26, 2018. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
19. ^ Lueneburg, Chris (September 27, 2018). "Madison Pro Soccer announces head coach". Channel3000.com. WISC-TV. Archived from the original on September 28, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
20. ^ Milewski, Todd D. (September 27, 2018). "Daryl Shore named first head coach for Madison Pro Soccer team". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
21. ^ "Daryl Shore Named First Madison Pro Soccer Head Coach". USLD3.com. USL League One. September 27, 2018. Archived from the original on September 28, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
22. ^ Kennedy, Paul (September 27, 2018). "USL League One Moves: Shore reunited with Wilt in Madison". socceramerica.com. Soccer America. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
23. ^ "Madison Pro Soccer names first head coach". NBC15.com. WMTV. September 27, 2018. Archived from the original on September 28, 2018. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
24. ^ "Special Message from Managing Director Peter Wilt". madisonprosoccer.com. Madison Pro Soccer. September 25, 2018. Archived from the original on September 26, 2018. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
25. ^ Milewski, Todd D. (December 7, 2018). "Forward Madison FC unveils affiliation with MLS' Minnesota United". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
26. ^ Milewski, Todd D. (October 24, 2019). "Peter Wilt leaves Forward Madison FC managing director role for job with USL". madison.com. The Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
27. ^ Journal, Todd D. Milewski | Wisconsin State. "Forward Madison FC unveils affiliation with MLS' Chicago Fire FC for 2020 season". madison.com. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
28. ^ "Forward Madison names Carl Craig as new Head Coach". forwardmadisonfc.com. Forward Madison FC. December 1, 2020. Archived from the original on January 24, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
29. ^ "Forward Madison to Replace Carl Craig". forwardmadisonfc.com. Forward Madison FC. November 4, 2021. Archived from the original on November 4, 2021. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
30. ^ Evan Warwick (December 3, 2021). "Matt Glaeser Named Head Coach and Technical Director". forwardmadisonfc.com. Forward Madison FC. Archived from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
31. ^ Talkin' Flock: A #FullMingo Podcast [@TalkinFlock] (October 14, 2022). "Email to @ForwardMSNFC season ticket holders says, "Our ownership group believes in Matt Glaeser and his staff and we are confident that, with your continued support, we will have a better season in 2023." 2/4" (Tweet). Archived from the original on October 16, 2022. Retrieved October 16, 2022 - via Twitter.
32. ^ @forwardmsnfc (January 25, 2019). "Current level of snow in Madison: 1/2 a pink flamingo" (Tweet) - via Twitter.
33. ^ a b @forwardmsnfc (January 28, 2019). "FULL MINGO!" (Tweet) - via Twitter.
34. ^ Savir, Merav (May 20, 2019). "Born Into the Digital Age, Forward Madison FC is Already Making Great Content Strides". Medium.
35. ^ a b Murray, Nicholas (February 9, 2019). "Going Full-Mingo – Forward Madison FC Wants to Be Your Second-Favorite Club". uslleagueone.com. United Soccer League. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
36. ^ a b "Mingos Worldwide". forwardmadisonfc.com. Forward Madison FC. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
37. ^ Eanet, Lindsay (November 18, 2019). "Gathering the Flock: Building a Club, a Culture and a Brand in Madison". whatahowler.com. Howler Magazine. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
38. ^ @ForwardMSNFC (May 4, 2019). "Before we kick off, we've got a big announcement to make: Please welcome the newest member of Forward Madison - as voted for by the fans, it's Lionela Bessi! 🐄" (Tweet) - via Twitter.
39. ^ Forward Madison FC [@ForwardMSNFC] (March 25, 2024). "With an udderly heavy heart, we announce the retirement of the most legendairy sports mascot of all time, Lionela Bessi. 🐄 Help us send her off right at our April 13th Home Opener as she mooves on to greener pastures with the Bessi Pack!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024 - via Twitter.
40. ^ @ForwardMSNFC (January 29, 2021). "Holy cow! We've got dairy big news to share... 🐮 Please welcome the newest member of Forward Madison: As voted by the fans, it's ROSE COWBELLE! 🌹🐄🔔" (Tweet) - via Twitter.
41. ^ "Breese Stevens Field". cityofmadison.com. City of Madison Parks Division. Archived from the original on September 24, 2018. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
42. ^ Johnson, Allie (December 5, 2014). "Breese Stevens Field gets recognized as a national landmark". Isthmus. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
43. ^ Nuoffer, Justin (July 9, 2020). "Forward Madison FC has new home field in Wauwatosa for 2020 season". Madison.com. Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
44. ^ "Forward Madison set for home games at Hart Park in Wauwatosa". ForwardMadisonFC.com. Archived from the original on July 12, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
45. ^ Li, Caroline (September 24, 2019). "Forward Madison finishes at home with impressive win over league regular season champion". The Badger Herald. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
46. ^ Chappell, Robert (December 27, 2019). "Best of 2019: "There's Nothing Better." Forward Madison Reflects on First Season, Looks Ahead to 2020". Madison365. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
47. ^ a b Joyce, Jason (March 9, 2019). "Forward Madison soccer team debuts 'unexpected' uniforms". Madison.com. The Capital Times. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
48. ^ Joyce, Jason (November 26, 2018). "A fierce flamingo: The making of Forward Madison F.C.'s team identity". madison.com. The Capital Times. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
49. ^ Behling, Andrea (December 19, 2019). "8 things you might not have noticed about the Forward Madison logo". channel3000.com. Madison Magazine. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
50. ^ McCraney, Patrick (May 5, 2021). "Forward Madison nails it again with new 2021 home shirt". Hot Time in Old Town. Vox Media, LLC. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
51. ^ a b Maurer, Pablo (June 23, 2021). "Forward Madison don reversible kit in USL match". theathletic.com. The Athletic. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
52. ^ Thomas, Ian (March 16, 2020). "As Sports World Pauses, Forward Madison Goes Digital With Jersey Event". Front Office Sports. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
53. ^ Maurer, Pablo (March 12, 2020). "With fan-designed away kit, Forward Madison continues to challenge norms". The Athletic. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
54. ^ "Forward Madison named team with best jersey in the world". wkow.com. WKOW 27. December 20, 2019. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
55. ^ "Forward Madison Wins Award for Best Jersey in World Soccer". forwardmadisonfc.com. Forward Madison FC. December 20, 2019. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
56. ^ @ForwardMSNFC (May 23, 2020). "An alternate jersey for the ages: Introducing the Drip Kit. (Droplet emoji) Get yours: https://squ.re/2Zv1zfC" (Tweet) - via Twitter.
57. ^ Yoesting, Travis (May 23, 2020). "Holy Shit They Did It Again — Third-Tier USL Side Drops Season's Best Kit". the18.com. The18. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
58. ^ Klein, Jason (May 23, 2020). "Flamingos' designer Cassidy Sepnieski created original artwork for new jersey". www.forwardmadisonfc.com/. Forward Madison FC. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
59. ^ "FORWARD MADISON LAUNCHES FULLY REVERSIBLE 'BEACH/CLUB' ALTERNATE JERSEY". forwardmadisonfc.com. Forward Madison FC. June 23, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
60. ^ "Forward Madison 2021 Hummel "Friends With Benefits" Shirt". footballshirtculture.com. Football Shirt Culture. August 29, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
61. ^ "Forward Madison's Newest Kit Connects Fans Through Beer and the Beautiful Game". www.uslleagueone.com. USL League One. September 3, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
62. ^ "FORWARD MADISON RELEASES THE FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS KIT". forwardmadisonfc.com. Forward Madison FC. August 28, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
63. ^ "Supporters". forwardmadisonfc.com. Forward Madison FC. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
64. ^ Li, Caroline (October 22, 2019). "Flocking to the field: Forward Madison FC, fans take Madison by storm". badgerherald.com. The Badger Herald. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
65. ^ "Forward Madison welcomes the Accessimingos to The Flock". forwardmadisonfc.com. January 8, 2019.
66. ^ Jones, Sam (February 24, 2020). "Pink Tape Looks to "Flock the Vote"". Madison Commons. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
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68. ^ Herron-Wheeler, Addison (March 14, 2020). "Video Premiere: The Racing Pulses - 'Go Forward'". New Noise Magazine. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
69. ^ Staff, NBC15 (March 11, 2020). "New Anthem for Forward Madison FC soccer team". www.wmtv15news.com. Retrieved March 3, 2024.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
70. ^ Kubik, Rachel (September 3, 2021). "Born in Bulgaria, raised in Racine, making it in the music biz: See The Racing Pulses at Summerfest Saturday". Journal Times. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
71. ^ "Forward Madison FC 2025 Roster". Forward Madison FC. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
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77. ^ "USL League One Announces 2023 All-League Teams". USLLeagueOne.com. USL League One. October 31, 2023. Archived from the original on February 3, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
78. ^ "USL League One Announces 2024 All-League Teams". USLLeagueOne.com. USL League One. November 7, 2024. Archived from the original on November 7, 2024. Retrieved November 7, 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Forward Madison FC

Information|

* Club
* Players
* Stadium

Seasons (6)|

* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Key personnel|

* Head coach/technical director: Matt Glaeser

* Category

* v
* t
* e

USL League One

Teams|

* AV Alta FC
* Charlotte Independence
* Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
* Forward Madison FC
* Greenville Triumph SC
* One Knoxville SC
* FC Naples
* Union Omaha
* Portland Hearts of Pine
* Richmond Kickers
* Spokane Velocity
* Texoma FC
* Tormenta FC
* Westchester SC

Future teams|

* Corpus Christi, Texas (2026)
* USL Eugene (2026)
* Boise Pro Soccer (TBA)

Former teams|

* Central Valley Fuego FC
* Fort Lauderdale CF
* Lansing Ignite FC
* Lexington SC
* New England Revolution II
* North Carolina FC
* North Texas SC
* Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC
* Orlando City B
* Toronto FC II
* FC Tucson

Seasons|

* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

USL Cup|

* 2024
* 2025

Miscellaneous|

* United Soccer League
* USL Championship
* USL League Two

* v
* t
* e

Sports teams based in Wisconsin

Baseball|

MLB
Milwaukee Brewers

Beloit Sky Carp
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Lake Country DockHounds
Milwaukee Milkmen
NWL
Eau Claire Express
Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
Green Bay Rockers
Kenosha Kingfish
La Crosse Loggers
Lakeshore Chinooks
Madison Mallards
Wausau Woodchucks
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters

Basketball|

NBA
Milwaukee Bucks
G League
Wisconsin Herd
GWBA
Wisconsin Glo

Football|

NFL
Green Bay Packers
IFL
Green Bay Blizzard
TAL
Eau Claire Jammers
WFA
Midwest Mountain Lions
GDFL
Racine Raiders

Hockey|

AHL
Milwaukee Admirals
USHL
Green Bay Gamblers
Madison Capitols
NAHL
Chippewa Steel
Janesville Jets
Wisconsin Windigo
NA3HL
Wausau Cyclones
West Bend Power
Wisconsin Woodsmen

Rugby union|

MRP
Milwaukee Barbarians

Soccer|

USLC
Milwaukee Pro Soccer (2026)
USL1
Forward Madison FC
USL2
Bavarian United SC
RKC Third Coast
USLS
USLS Madison
USLW
Bavarian United SC
RKC Third Coast
MWPL
Green Bay Glory
Bavarian United SC
NPSL
FC Milwaukee Torrent
Wisconsin Conquerors FC
MASL
Milwaukee Wave
UPSLP
Bateaux FC
Isthmus City SC
Street Dreams Soccer Academy
Superior City FC
UPSL D1
Bateaux FC
UPSLW
Superior City FC
WPSL
FC Milwaukee Torrent
Green Bay Glory

Australian
rules
football|

USAFL
Milwaukee Bombers
Wisconsin Wombats

Ultimate|

AUDL
Madison Radicals

Roller
derby|

WFTDA
Brewcity Bruisers
Chippewa Valley Roller Derby
Fox Cities Roller Derby
Madison Roller Derby
Mid-State Roller Derby
Mississippi Valley Mayhem
MRDA
Wisconsin United Roller Derby
Other
Root River Rollers

Softball|

NWL
La Crosse Steam
Madison Night Mares

Volleyball|

LOVB
LOVB Madison

Inline hockey|

MIHA
Madison Monsters

College
athletics
(NCAA)|

| Div. I|

* Green Bay Phoenix
* Marquette Golden Eagles
* Milwaukee Panthers
* Wisconsin Badgers

|

Div. II|

* Parkside Rangers

Div. III|

* Alverno Inferno
* Beloit Buccaneers
* Carroll Pioneers
* Carthage Firebirds
* Concordia Falcons
* Edgewood Eagles
* Lakeland Muskies
* Lawrence Vikings
* Maranatha Baptist Sabercats
* Marian Sabres
* MSOE Raiders
* Northland LumberJacks
* Ripon Red Hawks
* St. Norbert Green Knights
* Wisconsin–Eau Claire Blugolds
* Wisconsin– La Crosse Eagles
* Wisconsin–Oshkosh Titans
* Wisconsin–Platteville Pioneers
* Wisconsin–River Falls Falcons
* Wisconsin–Stevens Point Pointers
* Wisconsin–Stout Blue Devils
* Wisconsin–Superior Yellowjackets
* Wisconsin–Whitewater Warhawks
* Wisconsin Lutheran Warriors

Category:Sports clubs and teams in Wisconsin
*[No.]: Number
*[Pos.]: Position
*[GK]: Goalkeeper
*[DF]: Defender
*[MF]: Midfielder
*[FW]: Forward
*[Ref.]: Reference
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template