Duluth FC at Forward Madison | Mar. 19, 2024
US Open Cup | Breese Stevens Field | Madison, WI
Goals:
10’ – Christian Chaney, Forward Madison
52’ – Christian Chaney, Forward Madison
Duluth FC Lineup: Tom Akinola, Tyler Limmer, Paul Bobai, Felipe Arteaga, Joe Pickering, Ali Nakhid, Colin O’Mahony, Santiago Erazo, Jake Starling, Josh Bellamy, and Ezekiel Foltz.
Duluth FC concluded a short but exciting third appearance in the US Open Cup, traveling to Forward Madison in an eventual 2-0 loss. Forward Madison is a professional soccer team which plays in USL League One, a third division league.
The US Open Cup is a historic tournament in the United States that pits teams from across the different leagues and divisions in US soccer against one another. This was Duluth’s third year participating in the cup (2018 and 2019 prior) and second time playing a professional club in the cup.
Duluth’s roster reflected many fan favorites from last season, including club appearance-record holder Jake Starling, exciting forwards like Tyler Limmer and Tom Akinola, and 2023 goalkeeper Ezekiel Foltz. Four players, Joe Pickering, Ali Nakhid, Jadon Morgan, and Stavn van den Beld, all debuted for the club against Madison, the prior two as starters.
The BlueGreens started the half with competitive spirit and put together good chances against Madison, but the hosts did score the only goal of the first half, a chipped shot in the 10th minute. Madison led 1-0 at halftime.
Madison striker Christian Chaney got a second goal near the hour mark to extend Madison’s lead. Duluth worked hard for a goal, using veteran Tyler Limmer as the tip of the spear, but Madison held on to their clean sheet to win 2-0, ending Duluth’s run in the 2024 Open Cup.
Duluth FC’s home opener in NPSL play is still on the horizon. The BlueGreens will host familiar foe Joy Athletic on May 15th at Public School Stadium.
