Forward Madison FC and Central Valley Fuego FC of USL League One have agreed to the transfer of midfielder Ozzie Ramos to Madison for the remainder of the 2023 season, pending league and federation approval, Forward Madison announced in a press release Thursday. In return, Central Valley will receive an international roster spot for the 2024 season from Forward Madison.
Ramos joins a Forward Madison side looking to make the USL League One playoffs for the first time since 2019. Currently above the playoff line in sixth place, the Mingos have seven games remaining, including a crucial matchup against seventh-place One Knox on Saturday.
Ramos’s transfer comes as Madison holding midfielder Isidro Martinez remains sidelined with an injury. Martinez last suited up for the pink and blue in a 2-1 win over Richmond August 9. The Mingos have just one win in the five matches since.
Midfielders Aiden Mesias and Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu have also seen limited playing time due to lingering injuries.
Meanwhile Central Valley are in last place with just five wins ont he season.
Originally from Ceres, California, Ramos played high school soccer in the Central Valley area, logging 55 goals and 47 assists. Ramos was named Conference MVP, All-District MVP for Stanislaus County, and Team MVP for two consecutive seasons. He then went on to play collegiately at San Diego State University and Seattle University. Professionally, Ramos made his debut for San Diego 1904 FC of the National Independent Soccer Association in 2019. Ramos played for a few clubs after San Diego, most recently signing with Central Valley Fuego FC in 2022. This year, Ramos has made 22 appearances for Central Valley, including 77 minutes in Fuego’s 4-4 draw against Forward Madison two weeks ago.
“We are excited to add a player of Ozzie’s experience at this stage of the season to help us accomplish our goal of making the playoffs,” Forward Madison Head Coach Matt Glaeser said in a statement. “Ozzie has been a consistent contributor in our league and we feel that he will add to our group on and off the field.”
Ramos joins former teammate Christian Chaney, currently Madison’s leading scorer, who played in Fuego’s inaugural season last year.
