Forward Madison hosted Spokane Velocity in the USL League One Group Stage on Saturday 26 September, and the visitors claimed a 1-0 victory. The match featured a single goal in the second half, with the result leaving the hosts third on 51 points and the visitors seventh on 43 after their respective games played.
Second-half breakthrough
The first half ended without incident, though both sides accumulated yellow cards as the tempo increased. C. McCamy, M. Glaeser and A. Pelaez all received cautions before the interval, while C. Fernandez came on for the visitors at minute 46. By then the pattern was set — Forward Madison dominated possession but struggled to convert it.
Spokane Velocity struck at 74 minutes through J. Denton, who then made way for A. Pelaez shortly after. Forward Madison responded with three changes at 65, bringing on C. Ngoubou, J. Bolma and M. Segbers in search of an equaliser, but the visitors held their nerve. L. Gil and R. Torres also entered the fray late on, while R. Torres and L. Gil both saw time on the pitch.
Forward Madison controlled 62 per cent of possession and registered 128 attacks, yet created no big chances. They shot 24 times, with just two on target, while Spokane Velocity managed two shots on target from 10 attempts. The hosts made 467 passes against 287 from the visitors, but the accuracy gap told the story — 81 per cent compared to 70.
Defensively the visitors were busier, making 34 clearances to eight, and goalkeeper saves came 2-1 in their favour. The result closes out a mixed run for both sides — Forward Madison have won three of their last five league games, while Spokane Velocity are unbeaten in two after their last outing.
