Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Forward Madison FC

2025 US Open Cup Round 2: Clinical FC Tulsa too much for Forward Madison

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Players from FC Tulsa and Forward Madison batle for the ball in the Second Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Forward Madison
Players from FC Tulsa and Forward Madison batle for the ball in the Second Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Forward Madison

FC Tulsa put just three shots on target but they all went in, and Tulsa goalkeeper Bryan Dowd made six saves as the USL Championship side held off a scrappy Forward Madison squad for a 3-1 win in Madison to advance to the third round of the US Open Cup on Wednesday evening.

The game nearly took on a very different complexion in the seventh minute, when a long through ball from Madison winger Ferrety Sousa played Garrett McLaughlin in behind the Tulsa backline, but Dowd made a kick save to keep the game scoreless.

Tulsa displayed a preview of what was to come in the 19th minute, as Khalil ElMedkhar tapped an easy pass from Owen Damm into the back of the net, but Damm was flagged offside. 

The visitors got it right just two minutes later, though. Taylor Calheira played a cutback into a pocket of space in the center of the penalty area, where Damm’s trailing run allowed an easy chip over Madison goalkeeper Owen Finnerty to open the scoring.

ElMedkhar doubled the lead in the 31st, taking a well-weighted through ball from Stefan Lukic and slotting it past Finnerty.

Finnerty kept the game within reach with a point-blank save on Calheira in the closing moments of the first half, but Tulsa put any doubts to rest just moments after the break. 

It was Calheira one-on-one with Finnerty again, and Finnerty took Calheira’s legs out from under him, prompting a point to the spot. Calheira converted to make it 3-0.

The hosts got one back in the 68th on a well-worked training ground set piece – Jacob Crull looped a free kick toward the far post, where Timmy Mehl headed it back across the face of goal to the head of substitute Nazeem Bartman.

That was the last good look Madison would get against the USL Championship’s stingiest defense. Bartman’s tally was only the second goal Tulsa has allowed in the first six matches of the season.

FC Tulsa will head into the third round without midfielder Boubacar Diallo, who earned a second yellow card and was sent off in the 88th minute.

“The difference in the game was that they were clinical with their chances, and we weren’t,” Madison head coach Matt Glaeser said after the match.

“At the start of the game, there was a bit of a feeling out process,” said Tulsa’s first-year head coach Luke Spencer. “I thought both teams had chances. Brian Dowd came up big for us with a big-time save, kept it nil-nil. And then I thought as the first half went on, we were able to gain some momentum and obviously score some goals. It was just sticking to the plan, and having belief in what we were doing.”

Tulsa, currently sitting in second place in the Championship’s Western Conference, came into Madison riding the high of its first-ever win over Sacramento Republic on the weekend.

“We’re just trying to take it game by game. You know, our focus is on the next game,” Spencer said. “Yes, it’s nice to have momentum from the start of the season, and belief in what we’re doing, but you can lose that quick. For us, it’s staying focused and taking that one game at a time.”

While they await the third round draw, Tulsa will prepare to host Oakland Roots on April 12. Madison will head to Charlotte to resume USL League One play on April 11.

 

2025 US Open Cup Round 1: Forward Madison pours it on late over 10-man Duluth FC

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Players from Forward Madison celebrate after scoring a goal against Duluth FC in the First Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Forward Madison
Players from Forward Madison celebrate after scoring a goal against Duluth FC in the First Round of the 2025 US Open Cup. Photo: Forward Madison

A 10-man Duluth FC gave hosts Forward Madison a scrappy test for more than 70 minutes, but the pros proved too much in the end, scoring four goals in the final 16 minutes — three on assists by Devin Boyce — to post a 5-1 win on a chilly night at Breese Stevens Field.

The Mingos held the bulk of the possession as the visitors were content to sit deep and look for counters. 

The visitors made a difficult task even harder in the 35th minute, with Aleksandar Mihov was sent off for a strike to the face of Nico Brown.

“They were sitting in a really low block and tough to break down,” Madison head coach Matt Glaeser said after the match. “The red card changes the game a little bit, but it didn’t really change a lot of what they were doing. They just had one less guy, which helps us, obviously.”

Wingback Ferrety Sousa opened the scoring four minutes later, with a dribbler from the top of the box that found its way through traffic — his first-ever goal for the Mingos in his second season with the club. That gave Forward Madison a 1-0 lead at half time.

“Happy that I got my first goal out of the way, got the weight off my shoulders, and he just kind of opened up my account there,” Sousa said.

Duluth leveled the scoreline against the run of play in the 64th when Forward Madison defender Jacob Crull misplayed a long ball forward off of his head into the path of Duluth’s Dylan Sumner. Madison goalkeeper Wallis Lapsley was up to the task for Sumner’s shot, but Mario Fernandez slotted the rebound home to tie the match at 1-1.

It was all Madison after that. 

Two substitutes — midfielder Boyce, who didn’t play in Madison’s league opener last weekend due to injury, and wingback Eddie Munjoma, who came on for Sousa — combined on the goal that would ultimately prove the game winner, with Boyce tapping a cutback for Munjoma to guide into the far corner from about 12 yards out in the 73rd minute. 

Juan Galindrez opened his 2025 account in the 86th minute with a stunning left-footed strike on the half-volley on a long ball over the top from Boyce.

Boyce’s third assist came three minutes into stoppage time, again chipping a long ball over the defense from the center stripe, this time into the run of fellow substitute John Murphy, Jr, who chipped it over Duluth keeper Adam Braman.

Starting the season injured “left me hungry to get back on the pitch with the guys,” Boyce said. “Obviously, when you’re left at home and the guys are opening up the season, it’s disappointing. I’ve been foaming at the mouth to get out there and play with the boys. It was a great feeling just to be out again and get back on the pitch.”

Galindrez sealed the deal three minutes later, first taking a long ball in behind and getting upended by Braman, earning a penalty. Galindrez took the shot from the spot, which Braman saved, only to see Galindrez casually tap in the rebound to give Forward Madison a fifth goal for the first time in club history.

Photo: Joe Chatz

“I was really pleased with the result, with the response after conceding,” Glaeser said. “In those moments, you have to be resilient. And I thought the guys did a nice job. And obviously the substitutions made an enormous impact on the game.”

Glaeser, who made a penalty shootout save to send the Fort Lauderdale Strikers through to the Third Round of the 2013 edition of the US Open Cup added his appreciation for the Cup matches. 

“It’s why we do it. It’s so the little guys can have their day as well,” he said. “At some point, depending on who we get next, we’re going to be the little guy too.”

Sousa, who knows something about this tournament in making the final with Sacramento Republic in 2022, added that the Cup is “the most prestigious competition.

“It’s a very big platform for players in the lower leagues to show their talent,” he said. “I take this competition very seriously.”

 

2024 US Open Cup Round 2: Chicago Fire II bring heat on cold night in win over Forward Madison

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Jason Shokalook of the Chicago Fire II celebrates after scoring a 90th minute goal against Forward Madison in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Chicago Fire FC
Jason Shokalook of the Chicago Fire II celebrates after scoring a 90th minute goal against Forward Madison in the Second Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire FC II survived the cold and snow to move past Forward Madison FC to the Third Round of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup in what ended up being a comfortable 2-0 victory.

The MLS NEXT Pro side pulled ahead via David Poreba’s goal in the 11th minute. The Fire II midfielder pounced on a ball served in by Omari Glasgow that was not well handled by Madison goalkeeper Martin Sanchez. The cross from the right-hand side ended up in the six-yard box where Sanchez deflected the ball right to Poreba, who just needed to tap the ball into the empty net. 

“We knew that with the weather that the keeper could spill some shots,” said Poreba of his goal. “Credit to Omari not even for that play but throughout the game he was putting in some really good  good crosses from the wing.”  

It wouldn’t get easier for the Mingos. They had to make an early substitution when forward Mauro Cichero went down shortly after the goal was scored and they had to burn a substitution early.

Fire II continued to pressure them as the first half pushed on. Harold Osorio hit one off the bottom of the crossbar in the 26th minute and continued to control possession in the first half ending up with 52% possession when the half-time whistle was blown.

Madison did have their chances in the first half but never really threatened to score. Their best attempt was a shot from Nazeem Bartman after a Fire II turnover in midfield led to a well-worked counterattack. His shot however curled past the far post.       

The first 15 minutes of the second half were largely the same. Fire II mostly controlled the game and Madison looked to get shots in when they could. But Midway through the second half, though things started looking up for the Mingos. Head coach Matt Glaeser turned to his firepower on the bench by bringing in Ferrety Sousa, Derek Gebhard, and Jimmie Villalobos to try and get a tying goal.

Those moves helped Madison go on the front foot. They started to have more possession and looked more likely to score the second goal of the game for a long time in the second half, but they couldn’t find that crucial final ball to put them on the board.

It all fell apart for them late. Fire II missed a few chances on the counterattack with substitute Jason Shokalook barely missing a couple of crosses. He didn’t miss his third opportunity, however. A ball played over the top by Lamonth Rochester found Shokalook’s foot, he won his 1v1 with the goalkeeper and Fire II were up 2-0 with just four added minutes left to play.

“It just happened instinctually]. I just got the ball moving as quick as I could did what I could and it worked out perfectly.” Shokalook said of his first goal in a Fire II shirt. “You’re put in different scenarios that are very game-like all week in practice so things like this become second nature.”

Madison had one last shot at a goal in garbage time. A free kick won in a dangerous place was struck just wide before the final whistle blew to end the game and Fire II into the Third Round of the Open Cup.

While this is Chicago Fire II’s first time playing in the Open Cup, this is not a first for the organization. The Fire have won this tournament four times, most recently in 2006. Fire II are looking to build on that legacy with a deep cup run. As for Madison, it’s back to the grind of USL League One where they look to once again make the playoffs and best their quarterfinal appearance from last season.    

2024 US Open Cup Round 1: Christian Chaney’s “tidy” brace sends Forward Madison past Duluth FC

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Christian Chaney of Forward Madison celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against Duluth FC in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Forward Madison
Christian Chaney of Forward Madison celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against Duluth FC in the First Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Forward Madison

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.”

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.

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.”

 

2022 US Open Cup Round 3: Minnesota United blanks Forward Madison in rain-soaked border battle

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Bongokuhle Hlongwane of Minnesota United battles for the ball in the club's match against Forward Madison in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Minnesota United
Bongokuhle Hlongwane of Minnesota United battles for the ball in the club’s match against Forward Madison in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Minnesota United

Minnesota United traveled across the border into Wisconsin and blanked USL League One’s Forward Madison 2-0 in a third round Lamar Hunt US Open Cup match at a rain-soaked Breese Stevens Field. Adrien Nuhou and Brett Kallman scored each of the MLS side’s goals off of corners from Joseph Rosales, with Madison unable to secure a shot on goal during the contest.

Despite Madison controlling possession for the first 10 minutes, Minnesota had the first chance of the match in the 17th minute when the Flamingo’s Christian Enriquez’s clearing attempt was misplayed off his own foot. The ball fell perfectly to Minnesota’s Hunou, whose effort from less than five yards missed the mark.

Minutes later, the Loons nearly scored once again. Oneil Fisher played a dangerous cross that was played out by Madison keeper Phil Breno, thwarting the Minnesota attack. Subsequent attempts for Minnesota were interrupted due to the Loons being called offside three times in the opening 25 minutes.

Oneil Fisher continued to create chances in dangerous areas for his teammates. In the 34th minute, Fisher made a run down the left flank and crossed the ball into the penalty area for Hunou, whose shot on goal was deflected away by Breno.

After almost six minutes of additional time, Minnesota’s Hunou had space in the penalty area and was able to find DJ Taylor on the opposite end of the box. Taylor’s first touch was played perfectly to the right foot of Abu Danladi, whose strike was deflected out of play.

Neither team would be able to score before halftime. Madison was unable to generate a shot on goal, while Minnesota had two opportunities that forced Breno to work.

Six minutes into the second half, Minnesota United were finally able to break through the Madison defense.

Rosales took the Loons’ corner and swung the ball toward the back post. Hunou found the ball and turned it into the back of the Madison net to give Minnesota the 1-0 lead in the 51st minute.

Minnesota United celebrates after scoring a goal in the rain against Forward Madison in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Minnesota United
Minnesota United celebrates after scoring a goal in the rain against Forward Madison in the Third Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Minnesota United

Hunou nearly doubled the Loons’ lead in the 66th minute after Rosales again found the Minnesota number 23 in the penalty area. This time Breno was there to get in front of Hunou’s shot and his defense was able to clear.

Mitchell Osmond was assessed a yellow card in the 72nd minute for a bad tackle that gave Minnesota a free-kick in a dangerous spot. The subsequent service from Roberts was perfectly placed at the Madison back post, but there was nobody there to finish the chance.

It was the Minnesota captain, Kallman, who would put the game away for the Loons. An 82nd minute corner kick from Roberts met the head of Kallman, whose header doubled the Minnesota lead and sent the Loons’ into the Fourth Round.

Minnesota dominated possession 66% to 34% and outshot Madison 15-3 with five of the Loons’ chances being on goal.

Minnesota United, who became the first Minnesota club in history to reach the US Open Cup Final the last year this tournament was played in 2019, will advance to Round 4 where they will host fellow MLS side Colorado Rapids on May 11.

2022 US Open Cup Round 2: Forward Madison marches on, 3-0 over Cleveland SC

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Forward Madison vs Cleveland SC 2022 US Open Cup
Players from Forward Madison push forward against Cleveland SC in their Second Round match in the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: Forward Madison FC

Hosting a Lamar Hunt US Open Cup match for the first time, Forward Madison FC (USL League One) dominated in a 3-0 win over Cleveland SC (NPSL) in the Second Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup at Breese Stevens Field.

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Justin Sukow, Cesar Murillo Jr., and Nazeem Bartman were on the scoresheet for Madison, which outshot Cleveland 19-5.

Madison nearly opened the scoring in the 26th minute when a through-ball found Nazeem Bartman, who skated past his defender but could not skirt his shot past the Cleveland keeper Conor Cable. The subsequent corner found the head of Madison’s Carl Schneider but Cable was there to make another save to keep the game scoreless.

Madison finally broke through the Cleveland defense in the 37th minute. Indy Eleven-loanee Alann Torres drove the ball into the penalty area from near midfield, which found the foot of Justin Sukow. Sukow took two dribbles and unleashed a rocket from just inside the penalty area, which went through the hands of Cable to give Madison the 1-0 lead as the rain began pouring down.

The Madison attack didn’t relent before the break. In added-on time, Cyrus Rad’s head met the ball off a corner, which he turned toward Cesar Murillo, Jr. The first touch with his left foot squeaked past Cable to double the Forward Madison lead after 45 minutes, 2-0.

The second half began much like the first, with Forward Madison winning themselves a corner less than a minute after the restart. Cleveland was able to turn away that chance, but Madison found itselves back in control.

Cleveland SC secured its first shot on goal in the 66th minute off a short corner. The ball made its way to Chris Cvecko, whose shot was saved easily by Madison’s keeper Philip Breno.

Minutes after Cleveland’s chance, Madison struck for the third time in the game. Alann Torres broke away from the Cleveland defense around midfield and took the shot himself from the edge of the penalty area. Cable made a diving save, which fell right to Madison’s Bartman who found the back of the net to extend Madison’s lead to 3-0 in the 68th minute.

“I got an open space and I took it,” Torres said. “In my mind, I was just looking around to see what my options were. They kept on opening up until I finally said ‘I’m going to shoot it.’ Hope for the best and put it where the goalie can only block it and I know the rebound will go in. And that’s exactly what happened.”

Madison was able to hold the 3-0 lead to the final whistle, withstanding multiple Cleveland attacks in the match’s waning moments.

Forward Madison dictated the pace of play throughout the 90 minutes, forcing Cable into making eight saves while Madison counterpart, Philip Breno, was only tested on two occasions.

Forward Madison FC advance to the Third Round of the US Open Cup for the second time in club history. The Third Round draw is set for Friday April 6 at Noon ET.

2019 US Open Cup Round 3: Saint Louis FC pulls away from Forward Madison to earn another date with MLS

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Players from Saint Louis FC celebrate a goal against Forward Madison in the Third Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Saint Louis FC
Players from Saint Louis FC celebrate a goal against Forward Madison in the Third Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Saint Louis FC

For the first time in the club’s five-year history, Saint Louis FC earned a regulation win over a professional team in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. In Wednesday night’s Third Round match, Russell Ciccerone scored a 72nd minute goal to help Saint Louis FC pull away from USL League One side Forward Madison FC, 3-1.

With the win, Saint Louis will take on a Major League Soccer team for the third time in Round 4. The opponent will be revealed on Thursday morning at 11 a.m. ET when the United States Soccer Federation will announce the Fourth Round draw on Twitter.

Saint Louis FC jumped out to an early two goal lead against Madison as Paris Gee struck low past Brian Sylvestre after only two minutes. It was the fastest US Open Cup goal in club history.

Then Guy Abend doubled the lead four minutes later when he finished from close range off a Matt Bahner cross. It promised to be a long night for the Flamingos as Abend again curled a shot just over the Madison bar after 17 minutes.

However Daryl Shore’s team settled down and began to find their feet in the game and were beginning to find some success on the flanks and have some sustained pressure. A cross by Christian Diaz in the 23rd minute eluded right back Bahner and the header from Barriga Toyama went just wide of Tomas Gomez, making his first start of the season in goal. Just two minutes later the threat came from the other wing as Paulo Junior hit the post from a Jeff Michaud cross as Madison enjoyed their best spell of the game thus far.

Madison were richly rewarded, however fortuitously as Phan Kavita allowed a soft pass to skip under his foot and Don Smart raced onto the resulting loose ball to smash his shot past a stranded Gomez to half the deficit after 38 minutes.

The second half was almost a carbon copy of the first, only Sylvestre’s heroics saved Madison as he managed to scoop an Abend header from the line and a certain third for STLFC in the 49th minute. Madison tried in vain to get an equalizer but the Saint Louis defense were once again as stoic as they have been all season just allowing seven goals in 12 games and limited Madison to long range efforts which Gomez comfortably saved.

A third for Saint Louis was always on the cards and it came in the 75th minute. Russell Ciccerone and Lewis Hilton enjoyed some nice play in the midfield with Ciccerone’s shot blocked for a corner. It was the same combination off the corner as the Hilton inswinger was neatly headed home by Ciccerone for Saint Louis’ third on the night and put pay to any Madison fightback.

The game ebbed towards closure, however Coach Pulis was able to bring on academy product Nichi Vlastos for his second professional game alongside Kip Keller who made his first senior appearance for STLFC.

“We’ve had a stop-start month and I was glad we managed to get the rustyness out of us tonight.” Said Pulis after the game.”It’s a strange one getting two early goals, We started well, but credit to Madison they played some really nice stuff and caused us some problems, they’ll do well in League One going forward.”

2019 US Open Cup Round 2: Forward Madison earn $25,000 after shutout of El Paso Locomotive

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Players from Forward Madison (left) and El Paso Locomotive battle for the ball in their Second Round match in the 2019 US OpenCup. Photo: El Paso Locomotive
Players from Forward Madison (left) and El Paso Locomotive battle for the ball in their Second Round match in the 2019 US OpenCup. Photo: El Paso Locomotive

A flock of Flamingos may not actually migrate south but the ‘Mingos of Forward Madison certainly felt at home in the heat of El Paso, flying past the Locomotive 3-0 with goals from Jiro Barriga Toyama, Christian Diaz, and Jeff Michaud in a Round 2 US Open Cup victory.

While the match was perhaps not as lopsided as the scoreline would suggest, the Flamingos put in a professional performance to see off their USL Championship hosts.

The match did not begin as it meant to go on, with Locomotive controlling much of the opening 15 minutes. A flurry of chances at the Madison end made it seem as if it would be a long night for the Flamingos but they did not take much longer to capitalize on a chance. The counter attack was swift in the 19th minute, as Paulo Junior charged down the left and delivered a pinpoint cross that was guided home by Jiro Barriga Toyama. This sent a shock through Southwest University Park, but the shock did not end there.

As the last remaining Division 3 pro team in the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, Forward Madison FC of USL League One has won $25,000 in prize money. Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design
As the last remaining Division 3 pro team in the 2019 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, Forward Madison FC of USL League One has won $25,000 in prize money. Graphic by Dallas Kreil | IG: @dak_design

Six minutes later, Toyama turned provider and put a low cross on a plate for Christian Diaz Dominguez, doubling Madison’s lead and fully establishing that despite being from a lower division, they would not be sent home empty-handed.

Locomotive, who enjoyed 73% possession in the match, were unable to create many chances of note in what remained of the first half and coach Mark Lowry looked to make a change, bringing former USMNT player Jerome Kiesewetter in at the half for Calvin Rezende. The change still left Locomotive a little light of chances as Madison broke up play through the middle of the field. With an hour gone, Lowry rolled the last of his die, bringing on Omar Salgado and Bryam Rebellon and the impact was felt but Madison was the one to strike next.

The goal came from another counter attack, but a slick interchange between Paulo Junior and Jeff Michaud put the latter through on goal. He finished low inside the far post and with just 14 minutes left to play the result was well in hand.

According to TheCup.us records, Michaud’s goal was historic.

With that tally, Michaud becomes just the second player in the Modern Era (1995-present) to score at least one goal in four consecutive tournaments with four different clubs (Javier Castro from 2014-17). His streak began in 2016 when he scored a pair of goals for the Wilmington Hammerheads of the USL (Div. 3 pro), then he was tied for second in the entire tournament when he scored three for the South Florida Surf (USL League Two) the following year. Last year, he made it three years in a row with a goal from Miami FC (NPSL).

Michaud is the only player to achieve this feat with teams from four different leagues.

Forward Madison advance to Round 3 where it will travel to St Louis FC, which snuck past Des Moines Menace on penalties.

2019 US Open Cup Round 1: Forward Madison overcomes plucky amateurs from Bavarian SC

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Players from Forward Madison (right) and Bavarian SC race to the ball in Tuesday's First Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Forward Madison
Players from Forward Madison (right) and Bavarian SC race to the ball in Tuesday’s First Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Forward Madison

Plucky underdog stories are the heart of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Amateur side Bavarians SC from Milwaukee, with eight stars on their kits and a 90-year history, took that spirit into a first-round matchup with pro side Forward Madison FC from USL League One on Tuesday night in Milwaukee. They were reminded that while plucky is great, often it just is no match for a more polished professional unit.

Forward Madison rode first-half goals from Brandon Eaton and Jiro Barriga Toyama to a comfortable 2-0 victory in chilly, windy conditions at Uihlein Soccer Park before a crowd of about 400. It was just the second time in the Modern Era (1995-present) that two Wisconsin teams had met in the US Open Cup (2003 Round 3: Bavarian SC vs. Milwaukee Wave United).

With the win, Forward Madison visit USL Championship squad El Paso Locomotive at 7 p.m. MDT on May 15 in the second round.


Sporting a 2-2-1 record in their debut season, Forward Madison deployed a side without Paulo Junior and three other regular starters who are on loan from Minnesota United of Major League Soccer. Despite that, they controlled possession through the first half, playing with a 20-mph wind at their backs.

The first goal, however, sprung out of very little. Eaton spied some space about 20 yards out in front of goal. His curling shot was not particularly hard, but it just seemed to catch Bavarians keeper Augie Rey leaning the wrong way and the visitors led 1-0 on 9 minutes.

Bavarians avoided big mistakes, but were punished giving the ball away in midfield later in the first half. Don Smart, formerly of Indy Eleven, and Milwaukee native JC Banks worked together to counter, and Smart’s ball across the goal found Toyama, who poked it in for a 2-0 lead in the 36th minute.

A promising spell of second-half possession by Bavarians — who were playing their first competitive match of the season — ultimately yielded nothing. Madison was too organized and too physically and technically superior; the pink-clad team never made the error under pressure in the back that would have led to a chance for the amateur side.

The Bavarians didn’t inconvenience Forward Madison keeper Brian Sylvestre until less than 10 minutes remaining, but then did so twice in two minutes. Logan Andryk battled to find a little space from his defender inside the area, but his effort from a tight angle to the left scooted across the face of goal. Substitute Leki Prpa had a crack from a similarly tight angle on the right in the 83rd minute, but Sylvestre turned it away.

Forward Madison comfortably saw the match out from there, earning their first victory in the US Open Cup. The Bavarians, who are the defending UPSL National Champions, return to league play on Saturday against DeKalb County United.

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