Mingo Monday: Playoff Hopes No More

Forward Madison came into Week 14 set to play two matches in two consecutive weeks to round out the season. With four matches to play, 12 possible points left, and still being in the hunt for the playoffs the ‘Mingos home stretch looked bright. Unfortunately it wouldn’t end bright for Madison. With two draws in two matches and an Omaha win over Greenville the ‘Mingos saw all their hopes of making the playoffs disappear.

Forward Madison FC opened the week with a Wednesday afternoon matinee against Fort Lauderdale CF on the road in South Florida. The hosts would open up the scoring with a goal in the 37th minute. Chris Brady would make a spectacular save for Forward Madison but was unable to hold the rebound and Eduardo Sosa would hammer the loose ball home for the opening goal of the match.

After ending the first half at 1-0, Fort Lauderdale would open the lead up more in the 2nd half. Sosa sent a short ball to Edison Azcona. Azcona took a run to the box before cutting at the top of the box and sending a pass to Dairon Reyes who took one touch before sending a rocket into the back of the net.

Forward Madison was down but the ‘Mingos were not out. Paulo Jr would score for the Flamingos on this odd play. Josiah Trimmingham sent the ball into the box on a low cross, the Fort Lauderdale keeper Andre Zuluaga-Silva dropped down and put his body in front of it to prevent a scoring opportunity. However he could not gather the ball and Paulo Jr fired a shot which Zuluaga-Silva partially blocked, but still went bouncing into the net.

Forward Madison would finish the comeback with an 85th minute header by Christian Díaz who headed home a rebound off GK Andre Zuluaga-Silva.

The 2-2 draw would be how the match ended. Not the best thing as it was Madison’s third straight draw and they really needed to get three points.

You can view the full highlights of Madison at Fort Lauderdale below.

After a Wednesday afternoon match the Flamingos headed down to Chattanooga’s CHI Memorial Stadium to face the Red Wolves on Saturday afternoon. Another match the ‘Mingos needed to win for three points to keep their hopes alive to make the USL League One final.

The Red Wolves would open the scoring first with a penalty kick by Greg Hurst. The PK came after Madison’s Gustavo Fernandes conceded a foul inside the box allowing for the attempt.

Again Madison would come back from behind to tie the match late. This time Michael Vang would dribble the ball in the box through traffic before sending a shot to the far corner to even the score.

The match would end in a 1-1 draw, leaving Madison winless in their last four as all four have been draws.

You can view the full highlights of Madison at Chattanooga below.

After 14 weeks of play we almost know who will be in the USL League One Final in just a few weeks. Greenville secured their place after Week 13 but with Richmond’s loss on Saturday to South Georgia, the Triumph have also secured the right to host the final.

Only three teams: Union Omaha, Richmond Kickers, and North Texas SC; have a shot at the second spot in the USL League One Final. Richmond needs to win out and have Omaha lose in order to get in without tiebreakers involved. North Texas needs to do the same as well and have Richmond win only once. While for Omaha, a win will almost assure them of a spot in the Final.

As for Forward Madison they can finish as high as third, pending how other teams do in the final week of the season.

Forward Madison FC will be back in action this Wednesday night at home against North Texas SC at Hart Park in Wauwatosa, WI. The ‘Mingos will also have a second match on Saturday night as the cap off the 2020 season against New England Revolution II also at Hart Park in Wauwatosa, WI. You can catch the match on TVW in the Madison, WI area and on ESPN+. Stay with E Pluribus Loonum all season long for ‘Mingo Monday each and every week.