Jake Keegan’s goal in the 20th minute was enough to give Forward Madison its first win in the last six games and avenge a frustrating 2-0 defeat to New England Revolution II.
Keegan’s team-leading fifth goal of the season came on just the Mingos’ second shot. A long ball forward was headed back by a New England defender, but right to Madison’s Christian Diaz, who played a nicely-weighted pass leading Keegan into the penalty area. One-on-one with keeper Joseph Rice, Keegan scorched a shot into the top of the net from about 17 yards out.
And unlike a week ago at Greenville, where they took a 2-0 lead and settled for a 2-2 draw, Madison was able to make the lead stand up.
“I think it’s a massive shift to score the goal and then to be under pressure for so long, to show such character is outstanding,” Craig said. “That’s a shift in our mentality, because last week down in Greenville we we’re in a better position, in better control and we didn’t finish it off. Today shows great character.”
The match saw a tactical shift for Madison, who opted to allow New England the bulk of the possession and were more selective with shots — Madison took 12 shots, just three on target, which was a contrast to the 20 shots the side took last time these teams met.
Madison held much more of the ball in the second half, and created the better chances. Rice was pressed into service and forced to make a fingertip save on an effort from Derek Gebhard to keep the deficit at one. New England’s only real chance of the second half was a brilliant left-footed half-volley from 16-year-old Noel Buck which beat Madison goalkeeper Phil Breno only to clang off the crossbar.
“I still believe that tonight was great, but we still have so much more horsepower behind us and it’s coming,” Breno said. “This is the best atmosphere you could play in lower league soccer, maybe in higher league soccer in the U.S. This is just wonderful across the board.”
“This is the kind of game that, if you want to make the playoffs, if you want to win championships, it’s the kind of game you have to win,” Keegan said.
The win gives Madison 16 points in 10 matches, situating them fifth in the 12-team league, ahead of Toronto FC 2 on goal differential.
Forward Madison next travels to North Texas for the first time on July 10 and to Omaha July 16.
