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The news week for Forward Madison began a little slowly but then things really blew up on Friday. First Madison was loaned three players from Chicago Fire for the 2020 season, all of whom are Homegrown under MLS roster rules.
We've added some Fire to our 2020 roster!
— Forward Madison FC (@ForwardMSNFC) July 24, 2020
Welcome @Brady00Chris, Allan Rodriguez, and Alex Monis, three Homegrown players on loan from @ChicagoFire! pic.twitter.com/C7LhjZuIQk
The a big bang came later in the day with the ‘Mingos securing and announcing a TV deal with local station TVW to air all of the clubs home and away matches during the 2020 USL League One season. While the league’s history is young, there can only be one first, and Forward Madison is the first team in USL1 to get a local tv deal.
Local TV deal: Secured. ✅
— Forward Madison FC (@ForwardMSNFC) July 24, 2020
We're delighted to announce that @channel_3000's TVW will broadcast every Forward Madison home and away game during the 2020 season! pic.twitter.com/iUbDA6Wd2l
“When we realized we would not be able to play matches in our home market, a local broadcast deal to provide Forward Madison soccer to our loyal fans free of charge was a top priority,” Chief Operating Officer/Owner Conor Caloia. “We are excited to have a great partner in TVW that shares our focus and commitment to the greater Madison community.”
That first broadcast would be the teams 2020 opener at Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX against North Texas SC. And this is how the Pink and White would line up for the night.
Our first starting lineup of 2020 is in!
— Forward Madison FC (@ForwardMSNFC) July 26, 2020
Here's how the Flamingos will take the field for Opening Day.#NTXvMAD | #FullMingo
By far the biggest thing took place prior to kickoff when all 11 starters from both teams took a knee during the National Anthem in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
#BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/xeMDCvYbMA
— Forward Madison FC (@ForwardMSNFC) July 26, 2020
It would not be Forward Madison scoring first but rather the defending USL League One Champion, North Texas SC. Beni Redzic would dribble the ball in from the box from the side beating a sliding tackle in the process. Redzic would then cut outside towards the top of the box before firing a curving shot into the back of the net to put North Texas up 1-0 in the 11th minute.
12' - Redzic cuts inside and scores his 1st professional goal (with a help from the deflection).#NTXvMAD pic.twitter.com/rHMYLpK6Bh
— - North Texas SC (@northtexasSC) July 26, 2020
Forward Madison would strike back in the 30th minute. Jiro Barriga Toyama would cut through the defense before sending a pass to Paulo Jr about 9 yards deep on the side of the box. Paulo Jr then sent a pass to the top of the six yard box where Wojciech Wojcik just tapped it in the open half of the net to finish the play and even up the match at 1-1.
It's an incredible first goal of 2020 for Forward Madison!
— Forward Madison FC (@ForwardMSNFC) July 26, 2020
Jiro snuck past the whole defense, and @woj_woj was there to apply the final touch! #NTXvMAD | 1-1 | #FullMingo pic.twitter.com/LyAo9H7o8k
North Texas would have the last say though when Justin Che sent a low cross into the box where Ronaldo Damus gathered the pass and after about two yards of dribbling slipped a low shot in right underneath Madison keeper Philipp Marceta in the 56th minute.
59' YOU KNOW HIS NAME...
— - North Texas SC (@northtexasSC) July 26, 2020
scores his 1st of the season!
He wants to keep that Golden Boot #NTXvMAD pic.twitter.com/zMWMf8roAm
You can watch the full highlights of the match below.
Forward Madison FC will be back in action this Friday night against Greenville Triumph SC at Hart Park in Wauwatosa, WI. You can catch the match 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.