Forward Madison Draws against Charlotte Independence to Move into 4th Place
August 5, 2022 - United Soccer League One (USL1)
Forward Madison FC News Release
Forward Madison FC hit the road for a two-game road trip, with the first leg of the trip in Charlotte. The Flamingos took on the Charlotte Independence at American Legion Memorial Stadium on Friday, August 5th at 6:00 pm CT. The match ended in a 0-0 draw. Raiko Arozarena showed out and recorded his third clean sheet in four league matches since joining the Pink and Blue.
Forward Madison opened the first half as aggressive as possible. Rojay Smith stole the ball from Charlotte and quickly countered in the 2nd minute. The counter led to a cross that eventually was stolen by an Independence defender. In the 4th minute, a foul by Charlotte led to a free kick for Abdou Mbacke-Thiam. The Senegalese striker crossed the ball into the box and Jeremiah Streng attempted a bicycle shot at the Charlotte keeper, but his shot sailed over the top post. The 'Mingos nearly scored again in the 10th minute after Rojay Smith crossed the ball across the field to an open Alvin Jones. Jones drove into the Charlotte box and shot at the Independence keeper Adrian Zendejas, but the keeper managed to catch the shot. After Madison's hot start to the match, Charlotte began to control possession in the Flamingos' half of the field. Raiko Arozarena came up with important saves in the 14th and 15th minute marks when Charlotte's attack recorded a few quality chances.
The Independence began to gain momentum in the match as their squad primarily controlled possession until around the 30th minute. The 'Mingos were inches away from breaking the tie in the 35th minute when Rojay Smith fired a shot at the goal. Unfortunately for the Pink and Blue, Smith's shot deflected off the goalie and Abdou Mbacke-Thiam couldn't connect his foot with the ball. Charlotte then managed to clear away the threatening situation. After the near goal, Forward Madison started to steal away some of Charlotte's momentum. In the 45th minute, an Alvin Jones cross almost reached Jeremiah Streng in the box, but the Finnish product couldn't slot it home thanks to Charlotte's defensive presence. The clubs entered the halftime break all tied up 0-0.
The second half kicked off with Forward Madison pressing Charlotte. In the 47th minute, a quick Mikey Maldonado steal allowed the midfielder to take the ball into the box and shoot at the opposing goalkeeper. While the shot got saved, the 'Mingos started the second half strongly as the team continued to threaten Charlotte, logging a corner in the 51st minute. At the 60th minute mark, Rojay Smith broke free with the ball, drove into the Charlotte box, and slotted a high shot at Adrian Zendejas, which got saved. The Independence logged one of its best chances in the match at the 64th minute mark, when a Charlotte shot barely got deflected out of bounds thanks to the back of a jumping Eric Leonard. Both squads decided to sub some fresh legs onto the pitch in the 74th minute. Forward Madison subbed in Derek Gebhard for Jeremiah Streng and Charlotte subbed in Illia Shetsov for Khori Bennett.
At the 84th minute mark, Forward Madison began to apply more offensive pressure on Charlotte. Abdou Mbacke-Thiam took a couple of corner kicks which nearly led to a chance for Eric Leonard to score in the box. The 'Mingos managed to control possession in Charlotte's half for the majority of the final minutes of the match, but the squad was unable to get anything past the Independence goalkeeper. Raiko Arozarena made one last clutch diving save at the 90+8th minute mark to hold Charlotte scoreless. Six minutes of stoppage time proved not to be enough as the match resulted in a 0-0 draw.
Looking ahead on the schedule, the 'Mingos will conclude their two-game road trip against North Carolina FC in Cary, NC on Wednesday, August 10th. Next up for Charlotte, they'll take on South Georgia Tormenta on Saturday, August 13th.
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