Christian Chaney scored a pair of one-touch goals to pace Forward Madison past a scrappy Duluth FC side, 2-0, and into Round 2 of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
Madison’s No. 9 opened the scoring in the 10th minute, running onto a long ball that defender Jake Fuderer sent all the way from the back and chipping it over Duluth keeper Ezekiel Foltz.
He then sealed it with a one-touch right-footed shot from the middle of the box in the 53rd minute, converting a low cross from halftime substitute Ferrety Sousa.
“Overall, I thought the professionalism was there,” said Madison head coach Matt Glaeser. “The quality was okay. The mentality was good … I thought we did a better job tonight of seeing the game out and getting a win.”
Chaney with style. ????
— Forward Madison FC (@ForwardMSNFC) March 19, 2024
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Glaeser said he was pleased to see Chaney at full strength after he came on as a sub in the club’s opening league game at South Georgia Tormenta on the weekend.
“It was nice to get your No. 9 on the score sheet early in the season and get his confidence up,” Glaeser said. “He’s coming back from a little injury, so to get him significant minutes tonight, I was really pleased to get him back out there for two really tidy finishes.”
Chaney called the goals “long-awaited.”
“I’ve been waiting since the preseason to score some goals,” he said. “It feels really good to get back on the score sheet tonight.”
Duluth FC, the 2023 regular-season NPSL champions, threatened Martin Sanchez’s goal rarely, forcing only one save while putting two shots over the bar and one header just wide.
With the win, the Mingos avoid the early exit they suffered last year at the hands of Chicago House AC, who came back from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 after extra time.
Sousa with the touch, Chaney with the finish. ???? pic.twitter.com/m7Er4uuXzd
— Forward Madison FC (@ForwardMSNFC) March 20, 2024
Chaney said the chilly weather didn’t have much impact on the contest.
“We’re warriors, you know,” he said. “You come to Madison, you understand what’s going to come. It’s going to be cold.”
