Coming into the match off a USL Cup outing that went rougher than expected, Forward Madison went back to League One play against expansion side Sarasota Paradise. Sarasota came into the match with just two wins on the season and only one in their last five. That win came against fellow expansion side (and former USL2 club) Corpus Christi FC.
Last weekend: @ Sarasota Paraside (USL1, Match 5)
The opening half of football was controlled by Sarasota, who earned six shots to Madison's lone shot. It only takes one shot to score though and Forward Madison made the most of that one first half shot. That play started with a corner that was headed towards goal by Madison, then Paradise headed that ball to try and clear it. Derek Gebhard was in the right place at the right time and hit a low volley from the edge of the box and sending the shot through traffic to score.
Madison's initial lead only lasted a few minutes before Sarasota leveled the match with a goal from Jonathan Bolanos.
After having the match dictated to them, Forward Madison turned a 180 in the second half and dictated it to Sarasota. While Paradise did manage six shots, only one went on target and the hosts were unable to find the back of goal. Finding the back of the net eluded Madison as well for much of the second half, until near the death.
Sarasota repelled a Madison free kick late in the second half, but did not clear it out far enough. Turner Humphrey was in perfect position and let the airborne loose ball come straight to him and scored off the volley from 25 yards out to give Madison an 85th minute lead. Two minutes later the 'Mingos doubled their lead on a Joshua Bolma goal to seal the win.
“Really proud of the guys to push through a difficult first half,” said FMFC Head Coach & Technical Director, Matt Glaeser. “I thought we were very good in the second half and the substitutes tonight were excellent and made a difference.”
This weekend: @ AV Alta (USL1, Match 6)
The long away stretch is almost over for Forward Madison and the light at the end of the tunnel can be seen, but there is one away match in between. This weekend Madison heads to California for a meeting with second bottom AV Alta FC. The second year club from Lancaster, CA has had a poor start to 2026 with only four points in six matches. AV Alta are on a nine match winless skid in all competitions, stretching back to their final match of the 2025 season.
Following the trek to the Golden State, it'll be time for Forward Madison to play their 2026 home opener. That matches comes on 16 May in the USL Cup against Championship side Detroit City FC.
