The 2025 Forward Madison FC season is the seventh season in the soccer team's history, where they compete in USL League One of the third division of American soccer.
Overview
Forward Madison enters the 2025 season on the heels of what was arguably their best season. In 2024, the team finished 3rd in the USL League One table, their highest finish ever, and reached the semifinals of the USL League One playoffs. Additionally, they were runners-up in the inaugural USL Cup, losing on penalties in the final.[1] The team returns over half of the 2024 roster, including All-USL League One First Team defender and Defender of the Year nominee Mitch Osmond, Goalkeeper of the Year nominee Bernd Schipmann, and All-League One First Team midfielder Devin Boyce, though they did lose club all-time leading goalscorer Christian Chaney to Charlotte Independence. The large core of players returning from the previous year's successful season had Forward Madison considered to be an early preseason favorite to win the 2025 USL League One title.[2] Various power rankings placed Forward Madison in the top half of the league leading up to the start of the season.[3][4][5]
The schedule for both the 2025 USL League One season and the 2025 USL Cup were announced on December 19th.[6] In the regular season, Forward Madison will play each team twice, with the exception of Richmond Kickers, Union Omaha, Westchester SC, and Texoma FC, each of whom they will play three times. Forward Madison will be facing USL Championship clubs Indy Eleven and Birmingham Legion FC in the USL Cup; this marks the first time that Forward Madison have played a competitive match against a team in USL Championship since 2019, when they defeated El Paso Locomotive FC and lost to Saint Louis FC in the 2019 U.S. Open Cup, and the first time the team has ever hosted a USL Championship club.[7]
In January, Forward Madison announced a partnership with Brazilian club Amazonas, who were competing in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B at the time of the announcement. It was the first partnership between a USL League One club and a Brazilian club. As part of this partnership, Amazonas sent forward Adrien Graffin on loan to Madison.[8]
Club
Roster
| No.
|
Pos.
|
Nat.
|
Name
|
Date of birth (age)
|
Since
|
On loan from
|
| 1
|
GK
|
|
Bernd Schipmann
|
(1994-07-05) July 5, 1994
|
2023
|
|
| 2
|
DF
|
|
Michael Chilaka
|
(2000-02-05) February 5, 2000
|
2024
|
|
| 3
|
MF
|
|
Damià Viader
|
(1998-02-19) February 19, 1998
|
2025
|
|
| 4
|
DF
|
|
Mitch Osmond
|
(1994-03-11) March 11, 1994
|
2022
|
|
| 5
|
DF
|
|
Timmy Mehl
|
(1995-08-31) August 31, 1995
|
2023
|
|
| 6
|
MF
|
|
John Murphy
|
(2000-04-19) April 19, 2000
|
2024
|
|
| 7
|
MF
|
|
Jackson Dietrich
|
(1996-09-27) September 27, 1996
|
2025
|
|
| 8
|
MF
|
|
Devin Boyce
|
(1996-09-08) September 8, 1996
|
2024
|
|
| 9
|
FW
|
|
Garrett McLaughlin
|
(1997-11-10) November 10, 1997
|
2024
|
|
| 10
|
MF
|
|
Aiden Mesias
|
(1999-10-23) October 23, 1999
|
2023
|
|
| 11
|
MF
|
|
Chris Garcia
|
(2003-01-13) January 13, 2003
|
2025
|
|
| 12
|
GK
|
|
Owen Finnerty
|
(2001-02-07) February 7, 2001
|
2025
|
|
| 16
|
DF
|
|
Jake Crull
|
(1997-10-03) October 3, 1997
|
2023
|
|
| 17
|
FW
|
|
Derek Gebhard
|
(1995-10-15) October 15, 1995
|
2021
|
|
| 18
|
FW
|
|
Adrien Graffin
|
(2004-01-02) January 2, 2004
|
2025
|
Amazonas
|
| 19
|
FW
|
|
Juan Galindrez
|
(1994-07-04) July 4, 1994
|
2024
|
|
| 21
|
MF
|
|
José Carrera-García
|
(1995-07-20) July 20, 1995
|
2025
|
|
| 22
|
DF
|
|
Eddie Munjoma
|
(1998-07-18) July 18, 1998
|
2025
|
|
| 24
|
FW
|
|
Nazeem Bartman
|
(1993-08-13) August 13, 1993
|
2022
|
|
| 25
|
DF
|
|
Ferrety Sousa
|
(1990-12-25) December 25, 1990
|
2024
|
|
| 26
|
MF
|
|
Riley Binns[A]
|
(2007-01-26) January 26, 2007
|
2025
|
|
| 36
|
GK
|
|
Wallis Lapsley
|
(1997-04-14) April 14, 1997
|
2025
|
|
| 70
|
FW
|
|
Lucca Dourado
|
(2000-10-03) October 3, 2000
|
2025
|
Birmingham Legion FC
|
| 77
|
FW
|
|
Nico Brown
|
(1998-08-11) August 11, 1998
|
2025
|
Lexington SC
|
Left team mid-season
| No.
|
Pos.
|
Nat.
|
Name
|
Date of birth (age)
|
Since
|
On loan from
|
| 20
|
DF
|
|
Laurie Bell
|
(1992-09-01) September 1, 1992
|
2025
|
|
Coaching staff
Front office staff
| Name
|
Position
|
| Conor Caloia
|
Chief operating officer
|
| Vern Stenman
|
President
|
| Keith Tiemeyer
|
Director of Soccer Operations & Development
|
Player movement
Returning players
| Date
|
Position
|
Player
|
Notes
|
Ref.
|
|
|
FW
|
Garrett McLaughlin
|
Under contract
|
[9]
|
| December 9, 2024 (2024-12-09)
|
GK
|
Bernd Schipmann
|
Re-signed
|
[10]
|
| December 11, 2024 (2024-12-11)
|
MF
|
John Murphy
|
Contract option exercised
|
[11]
|
| December 13, 2024 (2024-12-13)
|
DF
|
Ferrety Sousa
|
Contract option exercised
|
[12]
|
| December 16, 2024 (2024-12-16)
|
DF
|
Mitch Osmond
|
Re-signed
|
[13]
|
| December 20, 2024 (2024-12-20)
|
FW
|
Juan Galindrez
|
Contract option exercised
|
[14]
|
| December 23, 2024 (2024-12-23)
|
FW
|
Derek Gebhard
|
Contract option exercised
|
[15]
|
| December 25, 2024 (2024-12-25)
|
DF
|
Jake Crull
|
Re-signed
|
[16]
|
| December 27, 2024 (2024-12-27)
|
MF
|
Aiden Mesias
|
Re-signed
|
[17]
|
| December 30, 2024 (2024-12-30)
|
FW
|
Nazeem Bartman
|
Contract option exercised
|
[18]
|
| January 1, 2025 (2025-01-01)
|
DF
|
Michael Chilaka
|
Re-signed
|
[19]
|
| January 3, 2025 (2025-01-03)
|
MF
|
Devin Boyce
|
Contract option exercised
|
[20]
|
| January 8, 2025 (2025-01-08)
|
DF
|
Timmy Mehl
|
Re-signed
|
[21]
|
Transfers in
| Date
|
Position
|
Player
|
Last team
|
Type
|
Ref.
|
| January 13, 2025 (2025-01-13)
|
MF
|
Jackson Dietrich
|
Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC
|
Free transfer
|
[22]
|
| January 17, 2025 (2025-01-17)
|
MF
|
Chris Garcia
|
El Paso Locomotive FC
|
Free transfer
|
[23]
|
| January 22, 2025 (2025-01-22)
|
GK
|
Wallis Lapsley
|
Union Omaha
|
Free transfer
|
[24]
|
| January 31, 2025 (2025-01-31)
|
FW
|
Adrien Graffin
|
Amazonas
|
Loan
|
[8]
|
| February 4, 2025 (2025-02-04)
|
FW
|
Nico Brown
|
Lexington SC
|
Loan
|
[25]
|
| February 12, 2025 (2025-02-12)
|
MF
|
José Carrera-García
|
Central Valley Fuego FC
|
Free transfer
|
[26]
|
| March 11, 2025 (2025-03-11)
|
DF
|
Laurie Bell
|
|
Free transfer
|
[27]
|
| March 13, 2025 (2025-03-13)
|
DF
|
Eddie Munjoma
|
Tampa Bay Rowdies
|
Free transfer
|
[28][29]
|
| March 19, 2025 (2025-03-19)
|
GK
|
Owen Finnerty
|
Inter Miami CF II
|
Free transfer
|
[30]
|
| March 25, 2025 (2025-03-25)
|
MF
|
Riley Binns
|
Greenfield High School
|
Free transfer
|
[31]
|
| April 1, 2025 (2025-04-01)
|
MF
|
Damià Viader
|
Sacramento Republic FC
|
Free transfer
|
[32]
|
| May 16, 2025 (2025-05-16)
|
FW
|
Lucca Dourado
|
Birmingham Legion FC
|
Loan
|
[33]
|
Transfers out
Exhibitions
Competitions
Overview
| Competition
|
First match
|
Last match
|
Starting round
|
Final position
|
Record
|
| Pld
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
GF
|
GA
|
GD
|
Win %
|
| USL League One
|
March 15, 2025 (2025-03-15)
|
October 25, 2025 (2025-10-25)
|
Matchday 1
|
TBD
|
12
|
1
|
6
|
5
|
9
|
15
|
−6
|
008.33
|
| U.S. Open Cup
|
March 20, 2025 (2025-03-20)
|
April 2, 2025 (2025-04-02)
|
First round
|
Second round
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
6
|
3
|
+3
|
050.00
|
| USL Cup
|
April 26, 2025 (2025-04-26)
|
TBD
|
Group stage
|
TBD
|
3
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
5
|
−3
|
033.33
|
| Total
|
17
|
3
|
7
|
7
|
17
|
23
|
−6
|
017.65
|
USL League One
Standings
Updated to match(es) played on July 6, 2025. Source:
USL League OneRules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) points earned against top four finishers; 6) disciplinary points; 7) drawing of lots.
Results summary
| Overall |
Home |
Away
|
| Pld |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD
|
| 12
|
1
|
6
|
5
|
9
|
15
|
−6
|
9
|
0
|
3
|
2
|
3
|
5
|
−2
|
1
|
3
|
3
|
6
|
10
|
−4
|
Source: USL League One[37]
Results by round
| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
|---|
| Stadium | A | A | A | H | H | A | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | H | H | H | A | H | H | H | H | A | A | H | A | A | A | H | A | A |
|---|
| Result | L | W | D | D | D | D | D | D | L | L | L | L | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|
| Position | 11 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|
| Points | 0 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|
Source: USL League One
[38]H = Home;
A = Away;
W = Win;
D = Draw;
L = LossMatches
U.S. Open Cup
As a member of USL League One, Forward Madison FC is participating in the 2025 U.S. Open Cup. They entered in the first round of the competition, taking place from March 18–21, 2025.[39]
USL Jägermeister Cup
Standings — Group 3
Updated to match(es) played on June 28, 2025
(2025-06-28). Source:
USLRules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points earned in group play; 3) total wins in group play; 4) goals for in group play; 5) goals against in group play; 6) disciplinary points; 7) coin toss.
Results summary
| Overall
|
Home
|
Away
|
| Pld
|
W
|
SOW
|
SOL
|
L
|
GF
|
GA
|
GD
|
Pts
|
W
|
SOW
|
SOL
|
L
|
GF
|
GA
|
GD
|
W
|
SOW
|
SOL
|
L
|
GF
|
GA
|
GD
|
| 3
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
5
|
−3
|
4
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
4
|
−3
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
Group stage matches
Statistics
All statistics as of July 5, 2025 (2025-07-05).
Appearances and goals
Goalscorers
Assist scorers
Clean sheets
Disciplinary record
Honors and Awards
USL League One Weekly Awards
Team of the Week
References
- ^ Jones, Kyle (November 9, 2024). "Forward Madison fall in a penalty shootout in USL League One Playoffs semifinal". Channel3000.com. WISC-TV. Archived from the original on January 8, 2025. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
- ^ Ashton, Alex (January 7, 2025). "USL League One Off Season Roster Updates: Part 1". BeyondThe90.Substack.com. Beyond the 90'. Archived from the original on January 8, 2025. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
- ^ Triebsch, Ethan (March 6, 2025). "USL League One Power Rankings - Preseason". USLLeagueOne.com. USL League One. Archived from the original on March 12, 2025. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
- ^ Ashton, Alex (March 7, 2025). "USL League One Preseason Power Rankings". BeyondThe90.Substack.com. Beyond the 90'. Archived from the original on March 12, 2025. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
- ^ Morrissey, John (March 1, 2025). "USL League One Season Preview, 2025". USLTactics.com. USL Tactics. Archived from the original on March 12, 2025. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
- ^ "USL League One reveals the 2025 season schedule". USLLeagueOne.com. USL League One. December 19, 2024. Archived from the original on December 19, 2024. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
- ^ Mitchell Meerman [@MJMeerkat] (December 19, 2024). "The match on April 26th vs. Indy Eleven will be the first time that Forward Madison has ever hosted a USL Championship club. It will also be the first time that FMFC have faced a USLC club since the 2019 USOC, when they beat El Paso Locomotive FC and lost to Saint Louis FC" (Tweet). Retrieved December 19, 2024 – via Twitter.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ a b Jones, Kyle (January 31, 2025). "Forward Madison announce partnership with Brazilian club Amazonas FC, sign forward on loan". Channel3000.com. WISC-TV. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^
- ^ Jones, Kyle (December 9, 2024). "Forward Madison re-sign keeper Bernd Schipmann for 2025". Channel3000.com. WISC-TV. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ Jones, Kyle (December 11, 2024). "Forward Madison announce return of midfielder John Murphy Jr". Channel3000.com. WISC-TV. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ "Forward Madison exercises option to keep wingback Ferrety Sousa for 2025". Madison365.com. Madison365. December 13, 2024. Archived from the original on January 13, 2025. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ "Forward Madison FC Return Captain Mitch Osmond for 2025 Season". OurSportsCentral.com. OurSports Central. December 16, 2024. Archived from the original on January 13, 2025. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ Jones, Kyle (December 20, 2024). "Forward Madison bring back sparkplug Galindrez as 2025 roster continues to take shape". Channel3000.com. WISC-TV. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ Thompson, Chad (December 23, 2024). "Forward Madison FC exercises option on Derek Gebhard, longest-running Flamingo in club history". WKOW.com. WKOW. Archived from the original on January 13, 2025. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ "Austrian Defender Jake Crull Returns to Forward Madison FC for 2025 Season". OurSportsCentral.com. OurSports Central. December 25, 2024. Archived from the original on January 13, 2025. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ Chappell, Rob (December 27, 2024). "Forward Madison resigns midfielder Aiden Mesias". Madison365.com. Madison365. Archived from the original on January 1, 2025. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ "Forward Madison retains Nazeem Bartman for fourth season". Madison365.com. Madison365. December 30, 2024. Archived from the original on January 1, 2025. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ "Defender Michael Chilaka will return to Forward Madison". Madison365.com. Madison365. January 1, 2025. Archived from the original on January 2, 2025. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ Jones, Kyle (January 3, 2025). "Forward Madison bring back reliable midfielder Devin Boyce". Channel3000.com. WISC-TV. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ "Defender Timmy Mehl Back for 2025 Season with Forward Madison". OurSportsCentral.com. OurSports Central. January 8, 2025. Archived from the original on January 13, 2025. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ Jones, Kyle (January 13, 2024). "Forward Madison announce German midfielder as first newcomer of 2025". Channel3000.com. WISC-TV. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ Chappell, Rob (January 17, 2025). "Forward Madison adds winger Chris Garcia". Madison365.com. Madison365. Archived from the original on January 17, 2025. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
- ^ Jones, Kyle (January 22, 2025). "Forward Madison add insurance between the goalposts with signing of keeper Lapsley". Channel3000.com. WISC-TV. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ "Forward Madison gets Nico Brown on loan from Lexington". Madison365.com. Madison365. February 4, 2025. Archived from the original on February 4, 2025. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
- ^ "Forward Madison bolsters midfield depth with Jose Carrera-Garcia". Madison365.com. Madison365. February 12, 2025. Archived from the original on February 12, 2025. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
- ^ "Central Defender Laurie Bell Joins Forward Madison FC". OurSportsCentral.com. OurSports Central. March 11, 2025. Archived from the original on March 11, 2025. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
- ^ "Defender Eddie Munjoma Joins Forward Madison FC". OurSportsCentral.com. OurSports Central. March 13, 2025. Archived from the original on March 13, 2025. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
- ^
- ^ "Goalkeeper Owen Finnerty Signs with Forward Madison FC". Channel3000.com. OurSports Central. March 19, 2025. Archived from the original on March 19, 2025. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ Fedewa, Matthew (March 25, 2025). "Forward Madison Sign Midfielder, Riley Binns, on Academy Contract for 2025 Season". ForwardMadisonFC.com. Forward Madison FC. Archived from the original on March 25, 2025. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
- ^ Chappell, Rob (April 1, 2025). "Wait what? Damia Viader comes to Madison". TalkingFlock.Substack.com. Talkin' Flock. Archived from the original on April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
- ^ Jones, Kyle (May 16, 2025). "In search of more goals, Forward Madison sign college standout Lucca Dourado on loan". Channel3000.com. WISC-TV. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ Cichero, Mauro [@maurocichero]; (December 22, 2024). "Thank you, footy ⚽️ grateful to my family, friends, teammates, coaches & @niccoroffo for all the support during my career. I am indebted to @smu_msoc @charlestonbattery & @forwardmadisonfc for letting me continue playing the sport I love 🤍" – via Instagram.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- ^ Brown, Jonathan (December 31, 2024). "Westchester SC Bolsters Inaugural Roster with Key Signings Ahead of 2025 Season". SemiProAndCollegeSportsNetwork.com. Semi Pro and College Sports Network. Archived from the original on January 13, 2025. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ "Charlotte Independence Sign Veteran Striker Christian Chaney". OurSportsCentral.com. OurSports Central. March 12, 2025. Archived from the original on March 12, 2025. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
- ^ "2025 USL League One Standings". USL League One.
- ^ "Forward Madison FC Schedule". USL League One.
- ^ "2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Pits 32 Amateur Teams Against 32 Pros in First Round; Format and 96-team Field Finalized". USSoccer.com. United States Soccer Federation. January 28, 2025. Archived from the original on January 28, 2025. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
- ^ "2025 USL Cup Standings". USL League One.
- ^ "USL League One Team of the Week – Week 4". USLLeagueOne.com. USL League One. April 1, 2025. Archived from the original on April 1, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
- ^ "USL League One Team of the Week – Week 6". USLLeagueOne.com. USL League One. April 15, 2025. Archived from the original on April 15, 2025. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
- ^ "USL League One Team of the Week – Week 7". USLLeagueOne.com. USL League One. April 22, 2025. Archived from the original on April 23, 2025. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
- ^ "USL League One Team of the Week – Week 9". USLLeagueOne.com. USL League One. May 6, 2025. Archived from the original on May 6, 2025. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
- ^ "USL League One Team of the Week – Week 10". USLLeagueOne.com. USL League One. May 13, 2025. Archived from the original on May 14, 2025. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
- ^ "USL League One Team of the Week – Week 11". USLLeagueOne.com. USL League One. May 20, 2025. Archived from the original on May 22, 2025. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
- ^ "USL League One Team of the Week – Week 12". USLLeagueOne.com. USL League One. May 27, 2025. Archived from the original on May 28, 2025. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
Forward Madison FC |
|---|
| Information | |
|---|
| Seasons (7) | |
|---|
| Key personnel | |
|---|
|
2025 United Soccer League season by team |
|---|
|
|
|