‘Mingo Monday: Fireworks in more ways than one

Last week we didn’t have too much to talk about outside of the RICvMAD match from the weekend, but that isn’t the case this week. Forward Madison made a splash and bang in more ways than one over the past seven days.

Last Wednesday the owners of Forward Madison FC, Big Top Events, announced the Festival Foods Drive-In Fireworks show to be held on September 5th. The event will be held at the Alliant Energy Center in downtown Madison with gates opening at 6:30 and the fireworks starting at 8:30. There is a $10 cost per car and $1 of each ticket will go to the YWCA of Madison. The fireworks show will mark the first large scale event in Madison since the pandemic began, albeit in a socially distant manner and in cars. For the press release Festival Foods Community Involvement Specialist Nina Winistorfer said:

“Festival Foods is proud to support the Fireworks taking place on Sept. 5. The Festival Foods Fireworks have a long history of providing quality family friendly entertainment and we look forward to providing this show to our Madison community over Labor Day weekend,”

Alliant Energy Center Executive Director Brent McHenry also commented for the release saying:

“We are excited to host a much-needed safe social activity for families of Dane County. Big Top Events never disappoints in their family-friendly firework shows.”

Next up was Forward’s second home match at Hart Park as they clashed with South Georgia Tormenta on Friday night. Forward Madison opened the matchup with a goal by Michael Vang just 8 minutes into the match. Words can’t do the play justice, so here is the highlight of it. And my word is it beautiful.

Just under 15 minutes later J.C. Banks worked his way into the box and sent a cross in that Smart finished off with a header to make it 2-0 Madison.

That would be all of Forward's scoring in the first half but that wasn’t all for the night. In the 58th minute the ‘Mingos would strike again. Don Smart took a pass up the touchline breaking out from South Georgia’s defense. Smart then sent a low cross into the box that Wojciech Wojcik received, controlled the ball, and slipped it past Tormenta keeper Pablo Jara.

After a Tormenta goal kick, Madison turned it around to counter attack. And I could write words for it, but seeing it even better.

Don Smart’s assist to Paulo Jr would make it 4-0 on the night and really put the nail in for Forward’s first win of 2020. You can view the full highlights for the match below.

Madison’s win has seen them jump three spots in the standings this week. Going from 10th place in Week 4 to 7th place after Week 5. This however still isn’t enough to catch Greenville Triumph who is unbeaten with 13 points. But they are getting close to catching Union Omaha and Richmond who are tied with 7 points each.

Just a few hours ago Forward Madison announced a new signing. 20 year old Noah Fuson signed his first professional contract with the club this week. Fuson joins the team as a versatile player who can play either striker or winger. Head Coach Daryl Shore is excited for the new addition.

“We’re excited to add Noah to our group and we think he’s going to add another dimension to our ability to score goals and stretch defenses,” Shore said. “He has a really good knack for the goal and he’s scored some really good ones in training.”

Fuson has previously had trials with USL Championship sides Sacramento Republic and Loudon United.

Forward Madison FC will be back in action this Wednesday night against Union Omaha at Werner Park in Papillion, NE. They’ll see a second match this week on Sunday evening against Orlando City B at at Hart Park in Wauwatosa, WI. You can catch the matches live there, or on TVW in the Madison, WI area and on ESPN+. Stay with E Pluribus Loonum all season long for ‘Mingo Mondays each and every week.