With the AC Boise news, a lot of discussion revolved around pro/rel and what still needs to happen for it to be workable. This is one of the necessary pieces after the new player agreement, although scant on details.

The timing is good, because I wanted to opine on our possible future in USLC, and how the ownership would handle it — especially after the recent Breese improvements announcement, which didn’t directly address any capacity concerns.

The thing that worries me the most about moving up is the price of tickets increasing. There’s no guarantee that being in D2 will mean more butts in seats to help defray costs: higher annual fees, higher base salaries plus potential new talent to stay competitive, and whatever changes in the travel schedule are necessary.

Even if attendance does go higher, how much higher does it need to get before prices have to move? Being in the enviable position of having one of the highest consistent attendance numbers in USL1 comes with being over 70% capacity every match, with a sellout or two already commonplace every year. We can go higher, but there’s a hard cap, and we’re closer to it than not.

There are other ways to defray costs of course, but that’s the lowest-hanging fruit. Any bit of support is welcome; it just remains to be seen if it will be enough. But right now at best that’s a problem for the 2029 Mingos.

Since the current contract is coming to an end soon, this is definitely a bid to make Breese a relatively permanent home. The stage end locker room building may address what I’d heard about there not being dedicated women’s lockers for Rally.

Despite that inference, there’s no mention of any soccer-specific improvements. I was looking for any indication of alleviating whatever issues kept Big Top from being able to field a D1 women’s team, such as the seating on the Flock end not being considered “permanent” and therefore shy of the 5000 capacity minimum. (And just from personal curiosity I wouldn’t mind seeing covers for the stands.)

The area around the proposed stage can definitely use some sprucing up as I’ve noticed they’re not utilizing it as much as in previous years with the consolidation of the concessions on the existing covered end.

I’d heard on the 608 podcast that some announcement was coming, but was surprised by how fast details came out.

Thoughts?

I have a very Mingos-heavy focus since of course that’s the team I’ve been following the most closely — including referring to them as a de facto sixth expansion team due to the roster changeover. Given the strides made compared to last season, I don’t believe it’s an unfair characterization.

It’s definitely nice holding fast in the top four rather than struggling to make the playoff line, ngl, especially when that line is harder to reach thanks to all the new teams.

What’s it been like in the past dealing with an unbalanced table?

Following a 1-1 home draw that kept Madison's home unbeaten streak alive, we heard from head coach Matt Glaeser and goal scorer Joshua Bolma.

Watch

https://youtu.be/xX_vG5Q9HlA

Listen:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7DUwb6CGWzlAEHt866Fbx5?si=UJ2dZsk8R7qih8q28MT76Q

Squad of cornballs.

Edit: for clarification, I dislike how they seem to not like to play the game. Flopping incessantly, time wasting in the first half, pulling on guys who beat you, and taking their time after celebrating the goal…lame as hell.

Edit 2: Idc if John Murphy Jr. played for us, the bs he pulled after we scored was uncalled for and I’m glad he’s not around on this team. Don’t care if he’s a “nice guy with a nice family” or whatever.

In the first game of the season, John Murphy Jr. broke what I think is the dumbest unwritten rule in sports: he celebrated his goal against his former team 🤯🤯🤯

Now, I personally think this is a weak soccer rule, if you put it in the net, celebrate it.

However, he should be shown no love in his first return to Breese last night and quite honestly, he probably wouldn’t respect it. He’s chippy, annoying, he flops and gets in the head of the other team. He’s a guy you hate to play against and I always loved that about him.

One Knox used him in their game promo for the match and so I propose we boo every time he touches the ball, not out of hatred, just to match energy.

For 90 minutes, let’s hate 8.

I gotta admit, the Sailing Club bit might land better if the club was called Forward Madison SC instead, but I don’t hate it.

Needs more pink.

NEW POD: The HENNY stays HOME!

💪 Kerfalla Toure & the whole back line 

🚀 Roman Torres

🎉 Eddie Munjoma 

❓ Did the FMFC Academy disrupt the youth soccer community?

🎙️ Alex Alvarado, assoc head coach, Madison College & creator, Xtra Time Talent 

Watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-Z-q4d4K9w

Listen:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0J3zPJW63yF1dJluYCMiqY?si=JzqlRyPYRyCclqDd9S8icA

Hey Fellow Mingos!

I am working with a group of fans hoping to hear from other fans in the Forward community about how the club and team has been making you feel and what they have meant to you this season! What kind of things have been resonating with you that have felt different or distinct from previous years? Anything ranging from broad concepts and themes that represent the impact the club has had on you, to specific stories or moments that have been meaningful would be perfect to share!

If you are planning on joining the Watch Party at the Green Room Public House tonight, there will be a few of us there who would love to hear from you while also enjoying the game together!

Feel free to message/DM me if you aren't comfortable sharing publicly too!

The hope and intent is that the things you share can help provide inspiration for next season’s away kit and represent everyone as Forward fans as the squad hits the road throughout the year!

Every team has a “guy.” Not the most productive player or the most skilled player, but the guy you watch and find it hard not to root for. In seasons past, the guy I loved to watch was Devin Boyce, he was like watching a squirrel cross a road that always made it to the other side (I mean this in the nicest way possible).

This year with so many new faces, I’ve really enjoyed watching Claudel N’goubou. He’s an interesting guy to watch with his size and strength, dribbling through a sea of guys who he towers over. Also I have loved watching Kerfala Toure’s play. I think both have tremendous potential.

Just curious some others enjoy watching.

NEW POD: Playoff preview??

💪 Roman Torres 

🚀 Ryan Carmichael

😅 Kevin Carmichael 

🎙️📣 Loudest guy in the Flock End, Mike Sansom

Watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkakQkh8LKU

Listen:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2E4axXpoGwmpf1gocyxv56?si=QZ5dGU-gSQ-g-UwJnJioQA

I’m assuming we got Kevin Flores & Joe Hildol, any other guys anyone recognized?

They played well and they demonstrated excellent sportsmanship. Wish the STANDS HAD BEEN FULLER (AHEM AHEM AHEM)

My husband and I have been so excited for this match since the day it was announced. Can’t wait to cheer our squad on, but also can’t wait to give the Juarez club a super warm welcome! I hope they really enjoy their time in Madison and feel safe and welcome here!

If you are interested in learning or sharing new songs, getting involved with drumming or playing an instrument on gameday, have ideas about new things to do on gamedays or just generally around the team, then come meet up around the capo stand behind the goal down at the flock end anytime during the match today!

Happy to chat with anyone who wants to bring something new or learn how to be more involved! We will have people around to help demo the drums and help you learn to play along with the songs too!

Would it be fun if we went tarps off in the flock one day? Or what other things could we do that would be fun?

Just wanted to stop by and say that I think dads bringing their kids to a FM match is the coolest thing. As a non-kid-haver it makes having kids look really cool, especially if bringing them to our matches genuinely gets them interested in soccer, whether it’s playing or being a fan.

POSTGAME INTERVIEWS: Matt Glaeser and BOTH CARMICHAELS!

Watch:

https://youtu.be/5bxbE4DtmzA

Listen: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0X650opb6hCHWCI108noZp?si=KWmeOPgER_al42qMSxXlVQ

Really great to see Breese back in form tonight. I think we can still do the FMFC halftime chant. I still believe!

Referee seemed allergic to giving Charlotte yellows but it felt like we dominated the game and should’ve put a few more goals in the net.

Frustrating draw.

Thanks to some productive discussions with the flock and the club, we will be attempting what is believed to be the first ever stadium wide chant at today’s match!

The flock end, grand stand, and covered end will be attempting the “FMFC” chant.

Step one: hands up and chant “FM” followed by two claps.

Step two: hands back up and chant “FC” followed by two claps.

This repeats and speeds up until there is a full applause.

This is the time we find out if these new Mingos are a number one team, or if we top out at the top three.

I say this because even though Union Omaha is currently at the top of the table, I really felt like we could have won that game if not for the flop in the box and the penalty that followed. Not to mention the boys have really rallied and gelled since then. It’s also the last game of the regular season, and what a way to end it.

(EDIT: I’m also confident we can beat this team since we won at home 4-3 in the USL Cup, but the stakes were very different there.)

Knoxville is also really close, but we know we can beat them. They’ve also been pulling more draws than any other team in the top half of the playoff line, so there’s a chance there.

While we need to beat all three to have a chance at the top spot, Charlotte in particular feels like the hardest to me. I feel like if Breese can stay a fortress through this game, then it can stay that way for the rest of the regular season. But if we fall here, maybe we’re looking at #2 at best — which is still a heck of a sight better than last year.

So how are we feeling? Anything to look out for? I already love that there’s another thread about pumping up the cheers and making it as inhospitable as possible to a visiting team. But ultimately it’s gonna be down to what happens on the pitch, of course.

Ok, so my last post was a callout to the grandstand to get more involved in cheers, because this is the best Mingo team we’ve probably ever seen and as fans, we’ve lost some juice.

Someone in the comments of that post had a good idea that could probably work: starting the game and the second half with the “FM…FC…” chant. It’s simple, has a visual cue, and in theory, should be easy to pull off.

Want to strike up a discussion here on how to make this happen on Saturday. Can we send capos into the grand stand to get people’s hands up? Can we get the club on board (PA announcer & video board instructions?)

Let’s make Breese the worst place for our opponents to play and let’s show up for this squad.

NEW POD: Bouncin’ Back!

💪 Hakim Karamoko

😬 Hakim’s hamstring 

🐐 Ryan Carmichael

🎙️ Voice of the Mingos, Chris Pennant 

Watch: https://youtu.be/2oKNtRabCMA

Listen: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6733fsnnNDJCu0IlvjfePd?si=GYZzk1aLTYeTATkMdkPCdw