Forward Madison 1-1 Fort Lauderdale CF
Photo Essay: 2021 USL League One (USL1) Men’s Soccerat Breese Stevens Field, Madison, Wisconsin
Forward Madison were kind enough to allow me to take photos at their USL League One game against Fort Lauderdale. Madison are a founding member of USL1, having been announced on May 17, 2017. Since then I have been wanting to visit and see the flamingo-inspired team in action. On the other side, Fort Lauderdale was established in 2020 as the reserve team of MLS’ Inter Miami CF (yes, David Beckham’s team), and recently announced a move to MLS Next Pro in 2022.
The game was very hard-fought with both sides reacting quite differently to the energy from the home crowd. It eventually finished 1-1 in contentious circumstances, with Fort Lauderdale scoring an equalizer beyond the announced additional time at the end of the game.
Madison started strongly with #37 Javier Casas, Jr., on loan from Chicago Fire, on the ball.
Madison #13 Connor Tobin, who signed for the team ahead of its inaugural season in 2019.
Madison #7 Jake Keegan and Ft. Lauderdale #17 Modesto Méndez contest the ball.
Madison #17 Derek Gebhard, a goalscoring winger/wide forward who signed for the team in February of 2021.
Madison #31 Noah Fuson (center) switches inside as he evades Ft. Lauderdale's defenders.
Fuson shoots at goal.
Fuson wheels away to celebrate his goal in minute 39, making it 1-0.
Fuson, Madison's goalscorer.
Madison players and staff celebrate Fuson's goal.
Fuson is shown a yellow card by the referee as Gebhard objects (along with the crowd).
"The Flock" tries to keep the home side going as Madison attempts to hang on to its 1-0 lead in the second half.
Ft. Lauderdale #26 Reyes is tackled by Madison #8 Michael Vang and #8 Aaron Molloy of Ireland.
Ft. Lauderdale #9 Mitchell Curry, a classic physical English center-forward, born in Newcastle, shoots at goal.
Ft. Lauderdale celebrate their extremely late equalizer in the tenth minute of additional time as the home fans signal their displeasure.
Curry shushes the home fans after they begin showing their appreciation for him with offerings of beer.
The referee finally whistles for full time; the Ft. Lauderdale players can hardly believe their luck as it ends 1-1.
For more photos from this game, visit shbp.us.
-ShOT