A rough mid-September to mid-October saw the Flamingos win just a one match in six, saw Madison drop to fourth after fighting for a USL Shield title for much of the season. That run of bad luck did not carry into the playoffs as Madison scored a home win to advance to the USL1 Semi-Finals. As the fourth seed in the playoffs, Friday night's win over Spokane could be their only home match of the postseason. If Madison wins their semi-final match this weekend they could theoretically host the USL League One Final, but only if Chattanooga also advances.
USL1 Playoff Quarter-Finals:
Foward Madison 2–1 Spokane Velocity
Friday in Madison the full 90 minutes of football almost seemed unnecessary with all three goals hitting the net inside the opening 15 minutes. Seven minutes into the match Hakim Karamoko (on loan from DC United) scored the opening goal. Ryan Carmichael picked up a long pass on the far side of the box and opened up just enough space to sent a high cross into the box. Karamoko, who was open in the centre of the box, put the ball into the upper part of goal off a header to put Madison up 1–0.
Four minutes later Spokane's Lucky Opara scored the Velocity's only goal of the night on a diving header. Opara's shot turned out to be the visitors only shot on target of the entire night. The scoreline didn't last long as Madison answered back just a minute later to take a 2–1 lead. Josh Bolma's shot from the top of the eighteen beat the Spokane keeper thanks to a wonderful curve that Bolma put on the ball. His goal proved to be the match winner and sent Madison into the second round of playoffs.
USL1 Playoff Semi-Finals:
Charlotte Independence vs Forward Madison
Forward Madison will take to the road this weekend for a Sunday night showdown in Charlotte against the Independence. Charlotte and Madison have a very even history against each other, with the teams being 4-6-4 (W-D-L) in fourteen matches between them. Madison's last win in Charlotte came back in October 2024. This season Charlotte won the first meeting between the clubs, beating the 'Mingos 3–1 in the Queen City back in May.
Souaibou Marou and Jon Bakero lead Charlotte's offence with 18 goals and 18 assists respectively. Neither of the two scored in Charlotte's 5–1 drubbing of FC Naples in the opening round, showing how well rounded the Independence offence is. The winner of Sunday's clash will head to the USL1 Final, should it be Charlotte they will host the Championship regardless of opponent. If Madison wins on the road and advances they will either host Chattanooga or visit AC Boise, depending on the result of the Saturday matchup.
