Mingo Monday: A Busy last few weeks for the Flamingos

Forward Madison has had a busy last two weeks, both featuring two games each and taking the ‘Mingos from Madison to Georgia to Florida and back to Madison.

After a short break the Flamingos opened play with a match against Union Omaha at home in Madison. Justin Sukow 58th minute goal was the lone on of the night propelling Madison to a 1-0 win over the Owls.

“Honestly I don’t know [what to say],” Sukow said. “I’ve scored goals before in club, high school and college, but scoring in front of The Flock, that was one of the best feelings in my life. I’ll never forget it.”

You can view the full highlights of Madison vs Omaha below.

Following the 1-0 home win over Omaha, the ‘Mingos headed to Statesboro, GA on Saturday the 29th to face South Georgia Tormenta for the first time in 2021. Tormenta scored the first half's only goal in the 33rd however the Flamingos would dominate the second half. Derek Gebhard drew the match even in the 49th, FMFC captain Connor Tobin got the game winner in the 54th. The in the 82nd Jake Keegan got an insurance goal for FMFC to seal the 3-1 win.

You can view the full highlights of South Georgia vs Madison below.

After that match Forward Madison captain Connor Tobin was named as USL League One Player of the Week for Week 8 of the 2021 season. At the same time four other players, Christian Diaz, Aaron Molloy, Justin Swukow, and Connor Tobin were all named to the USL League One Team of the Week that week as well.

Just days later Forward headed down to South Florida to face Fort Lauderdale CF. Fort Lauderdale took a 1-0 lead on a 25th minute goal by Mitchell Curry, it would take until the 59th minute before Madison answered back with a Jake Keegan goal.

10 minutes later Madison put themselves in a corner after Christian Diaz scored an own goal. Derek Gebhard got Madison out of that corner with an 85th minute match tying goal to secure Madison a single point.

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

Forward Madison is also, as many clubs are, selling Pride merchandise. This year the club is partnering with OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center in Madison, WI with a portion of merchandise sales going to OutReach.

“We are excited that the club’s pride initiatives this year are going to support OutReach,” Tobin said. “Their organization has provided extremely valuable support to the local Madison area LGBTQ community for decades.

“We are pleased to partner with Forward Madison during Pride Month 2021,” Steve Starkey, Executive Director of OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center, said. “We appreciate the support the team is providing to OutReach LGBTQ Community Center and the LGBTQ community in Dane County.”

Forward Madison wrapped up their two weeks of matches with another home match against Union Omaha on Sunday evening. Tyler Allen gave Omaha an early lead when he scored an own goal, but Jake Keegan levelled the score in the 35th minute. But it was shortly into the second half when Emir Alihodzic put the Owls up for good.

“We’ve got a long way to go,” head coach Carl Craig said after the game. We’ve got a full week to get rested, that’s one of the key things at this point. There’s some heavy legs in there.”

You can view the full highlights of Madison vs Omaha below.