Forward Madison FC opened its 2021 season with a 1-1 draw at Tucson FC, thanks to a goal from Jake Keegan, one of the off-season’s marquee signings. The final score didn’t reflect a relatively wide-open match in which the two sides combined for 30 shots — 21 from Madison and nine from Tucson.
Derek Gebhard, whom Craig said has been one of the best players in the preseason, had the Mingos’ first real chance with a shot into the arms of Tucson keeper Wallace Lapsley in the 10th minute.
Tucson’s goal came in the 51st minute, against the run of play. Madison was dominating possession in the first few minutes of the second half but a miscommunication between Madison goalkeeper Phil Breno and center back Gustavo Fernandes resulted in a turnover to Tucson’s Deri Corfe, who slotted a shot through Breno’s legs to give the hosts the lead.
“When they scored, which we kind of gifted them, it woke us up and we showed a bit of spirit,” Madison head coach Carl Craig said in a post-match interview.
Madison answered impressively 15 minutes later, as a through ball from Michael Vang found Molloy, who touched it ahead to Jake Keegan at the top of the penalty area and Keegan held off a defender to put a left-footed effort past Lapsley to equalize.
Keegan had been quiet up until that point.
“We underserved him,” Craig said. “We didn’t get our shape good enough often enough up to that point.”
Keegan and Gebhard both had good chances in a flurry of a finish over the last 10 minutes of the match, but Keegan’s was blocked and Gebhard’s sailed well over the bar, and the Flamingos settled for a point on the road.
“Even though we didn’t click as well as I wanted us to, we still had the ball in their end more than they did ours,” Craig said. “Probably should have had a couple more goals … Our football still wasn’t good enough for me.”
Defending midfielder Eric Leonard was subbed off in the 37th minute after a rough collision, making way for the Irishman Aaron Molloy. Ronaldo Lomeli, making his professional debut, also came off after an apparent injury in the 77th minute, in favor of Christian Diaz.
Craig said Lomeli’s injury was nothing more than cramps, but that Leonard will likely be out for a week to 10 days with a concussion.
“Not only is it difficult for him, but it’s a blow for us,” Craig said, noting that the active roster is now down to 16 players, with Josiah Trimmingham and Carlos Gomez due to join soon.
Next Saturday Madison will host North Carolina FC in the first competitive match at Breese Stevens Field in nearly two years. North Carolina, a former NASL and USL Championship club, made its League One debut last night, falling 2-1 to defending champions Greenville.
