Home Madison Forward Madison signs core of talent for 2023

Forward Madison signs core of talent for 2023

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Forward Madison on Wednesday announced seven players for the 2023 roster, including three returning players and four new additions.

Returning are defender and captain Mitch Osmond, wingback Derek Gebhard and forward Nazeem Bartman.

New additions to the squad include forward Christian Chaney and defenders Jacob Crull, Stephen Payne and Timmy Mehl.

Center back Eric Leonard, the only player remaining from the original 2019 squad, is also still on a multiyear contract with the club.

It’s Head Coach Matt Glaeser’s second season with the club, but this is the first time he’ll get to build a roster that’s 100 percent his own. At an event for sponsors and corporate partners last week, he said only four or five players from the 2022 squad will be returning after a disappointing ninth-place finish in USL League One.

In an interview Tuesday from Rockford, where he’s running a player combine, he said a mostly-new team will still be ready to win.

“I don’t think we have time for a rebuilding year,” he said. “That’s not the idea. That’s not the approach. The idea is to come in and be a playoff team.”

Glaeser said there will be at least one or two more returning players signed, and likely around a dozen more new additions, in addition to those announced today.

The players announced today include:

Derek Gebhard

Position: Midfield, wing back

2022 club: Forward Madison

Former clubs: El Paso Locomotive, OKC Energy, Charlotte Independence

Origin: Blue Hill, Maine

Quote: “[I] want to help the club get to where it belongs in the playoffs and give the fans, who’ve shown amazing support through two years here, something more to cheer for and be proud of!”


Mitchell Osmond

Position: Defender

2022 club: Forward Madison

Former clubs: OKC Energy, Indy Eleven

Origin: Sydney, Australia

Quote: “There’s unfinished business… I’m excited to give the fans a season to be proud of and put Forward Madison amongst the contenders for a championship.”


Nazeem Bartman

Position: Striker, winger

2022 club: Forward Madison

Former clubs: Chicago House, Vancouver Whitecaps, Des Moines Menace

Origin: Capetown, South Africa

Quote: “[I] want to help the club get to where it belongs in the playoffs and give the fans, who’ve shown amazing support through two years here, something more to cheer for and be proud of!”


Christian Chaney

Position: Forward

2022 club: Central Valley Fuego

Former clubs:  Sacramento Republic, Fresno FC

Origin: Fresno, California

Quote: “I’m looking forward to the support that [FMFC] has with their home field. It just seems like a really good vibe, a really good energy.”


Stephen Payne

Position: Defender

2022 Club: Richmond Kickers

Former Clubs: UCLA, Varzim FC, Portimonense S.C., C.D Mafra, Vilaverdense F.C.

Origin: Birmingham, Alabama


Jacob Crull

Position: Defender

2022 Club: FC Tucson

Former Clubs: Union Omaha, Indiana Fire

Origin: Heiligenkreuz, Austria

Quote: “I’m excited to see the passionate community that backs the team and supports them well. I’m ready to develop as an individual player, and grow a team-first culture in Madison.”


Timmy Mehl

Position: Defender

2022 Club: Chattanooga Red Wolves

Former Clubs: Tampa Bay Rowdies, Loudon United

Origin: Manhattan Beach, California

Quote: “I came to Madison because of the coaching staff and the city… I want to learn and grow as a player under this coaching staff. I want to win a trophy for this city.”