An MLS team is coming to Breese Stevens Field, and it’s not a friendly.
At the US Open Cup draw Friday, Forward Madison was selected as a host venue, and Minnesota United was selected as its opponent. It’ll be the first time the Mingos face an MLS side in a competitive match.
The third round matches will take place April 19, 20 and 21. The full schedule will be announced in the coming days. Tickets will go on sale Monday, April 11 at 10 am.
“We are excited to host a Major League Soccer club in a competitive match in Madison,” Forward Madison Chief Operations Officer Conor Caloia said in a message to Madison365. “Our fans create a great match day atmosphere and this will be a great opportunity to showcase Breese Stevens Field on a larger stage.”
Minnesota United last visited Breese Stevens in 2019 for a friendly, which the Loons won 2-0. The two clubs had an affiliation at that time, with several United players loaned to Forward Madison for substantial stretches of the season. Current Minnesota United goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair was one of them.
Forward Madison made it into the third round by virtue of a 3-0 home win over Cleveland SC of the National Premier Soccer League. MLS teams are just entering the tournament in the third round. Third-round winners will be placed into geographical groups and opponents randomly drawn for the fourth round.
Forward Madison made it as far as the fourth round in 2019, the last time the US Open Cup was contested, by beating Milwaukee Bavarians of NPSL 2-0 and El Paso Locomotive of USL Championship 3-0, before falling to USLC side St Louis FC.
Forward Madison will pay a fee of $6,000 to US Soccer to host the match, along with 15 percent of ticket revenue over $100,000.
This story has been updated to reflect the announcement of the ticket onsale date.
