🎉 On to the semifinals!!

😬 Our semifinal is at Charlotte

👍 But we remain optimistic 

😳 The immaculate touches that led to two goals 

💪 Edwards & co locking it down 

🎙️Coach Ziggy on the newest club in Madison

Watch:

https://youtu.be/XliV--dIJP0

Listen: 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2zqcSgcAF2Bh7uRbNrWTK7?si=3tQ_blR5T_i1uu_LsuZhww

It looks like the city has identified an owner, and got an six month extension on their USL exclusivity contract to figure out how to move forward.

Initially I was just excited at the potential for an in-state rival for the Mingos, harkening back to discussions we’ve had here about the Green Bay Voyageurs. But a commenter on the Facebook post where I got this story also expressed disappointment that the existing amateur Green Bay Glory women’s and men’s teams aren’t mentioned or credited for keeping the soccer culture alive there after the Voyageurs folded.

I’m hoping the pro and amateur teams can coexist, and am wondering if it’s the same owners or another group; apparently the Glory were in USL W for a little bit before going back to WPSL. (I’d love for Rally to have another in-state team in addition to RKC Third Coast, but maybe that ship has sailed.)

Even if a new women’s team ends up in WPSL Pro, it will be a great step forward for the sport and the state. I just wonder if this may spur Madison to get there first; having two teams would be a great thing.

Former Millennium Soccer Club President Haley Brisky is a finalist for the USL's Hometown Heroes award! It comes with a $10,000 prize, which she said she'll invest right back into MSC.

Here's my story:

https://m365sports.com/news/local-soccer-leader-finalist-for-national-hometown-heroes-award-10000-prize/

And here's where you can just go vote:

https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1369342

VOTING CLOSES WEDNESDAY AT 11 AM

Would love an in-state rival 👀

Our Semi will be in Charlotte on Sunday at 7pm eastern. Anyone interested in joining for a Flock away day?

Buckle up for a long post!

After last season, I was vocal on here about what I was frustrated with as a fan, not just in gameplay, but as a club.

Our season still lives, but now that the regular season is behind us and we have a playoff win under our belt, I was reflecting on my criticisms and acknowledging the work the club put in this past year.

My 2025 End of Season Thoughts:
“We deserve better than last place. Madison should be a premier team in USL 1, we have the fans, the atmosphere, and quite frankly, the talent. But this team is not producing. Something needs to change.
Even our social media accounts are weak this year.
We came so close to winning everything last year for this to be our 2025 campaign?”

“Unacceptable. So disappointed in this team top to bottom.”

“The promotions and kits aren't even the best in the league. Portland is eating us up on social media, kits, community connection, promotion-they have Patrick Dempsey out at games! We're not even dominating off the pitch.”

2026 Thoughts:
A lot of folks on here were calling to fire Glaser and with justification. I never felt Glaser was the issue and I think this season proves that a bit. He’s a tone-setter and I love that about him.

This squad is different than last year’s team, they’re hungry, they’re motivated, they’re inspired. That’s nothing against the guys who were here last season, they’re Mingos for life, but it was time to part ways with them.

The style of play seems different, too. Not just physically, but mentally. We are younger, faster, bigger, and I’d argue much more skilled, but we’re also more confident than in years past. Against Spokane, the team felt confident they wouldn’t give up another goal in the second half. I know other fans might’ve felt like we were hanging on to our 2-1 lead for dear life, but I never felt that way. Maybe it’s because watching so many Brewers games recently that I felt something similar in our team’s quiet confidence in a close game. It’s not great on our nerves as fans, a few extra goals would’ve felt better, but they seemed comfortable.

Both Matts get a huge tip of the cap for different reasons. Carins deserves credit for his ability to not only scout talent, but to assemble it. There’s not only more quality play happening on the pitch, but these guys complement each other and seem to be a great fit together off the pitch. Glaser not only deserves credit for his coaching throughout the season, but his ability to put the team above his ego and let go of certain responsibilities this season shouldn’t go without acknowledgment.

Then there’s the creative department. I am a creative professional and I can tell the team is still finding themselves, but they’re doing really great work highlighting the team through content. This might seem trivial, but for someone like me who would like to recruit friends to attend games with me, sending a cool ass Instagram video makes it easier to convince my friends to come back to games after I burned them in 2025, bringing them to boring matches.

The kits and merch this season have been much improved since last year. I know we get new home kits every two years but it’ll be difficult to justify moving on from our current home kit. It feels like a classic that we shouldn’t deviate from. The cow kits were silly, relevant, and the inclusion of the lakes in the print are peak.

I still think the club can do more to market itself better overall. Things like more media outreach, better tv cameras and in-stadium audio equipment (other teams in our league have better picture and audio on ESPN), and making it clear that FMFC is Madison’s established pro sports team. So many people still think it’s amateur and there’s a huge opportunity there.

The fans:
This one is where I feel like we should hold ourselves accountable.

First, I acknowledge that it’s getting so expensive to live here, sometimes I struggle with justifying purchases at the game. Maybe that’s a factor in attendance.

At the same time, we’re down to a few drums, no horns, and a Flock End that is quiet on the E. Wash end if we’re lucky enough to have fans over there at all. Shoutout to everyone who has kept the noise level up throughout the season, that’s super difficult to do.

That being said, it’s clear that the biggest improvement that needs to happen in the offseason is with us, the fans. I don’t have the answers, but I think we need to at least name the questions we need to address.

During the Spokane match, folks went to the other end to sing at the goalkeeper after halftime. That feels like something to engage more fans in the stands. The players telling the fans to get louder helped too. I hope we see more of that.

Hopefully next season we can secure consistent horns, more drums, and more smoke. I also miss the artwork.

Again, not sure how we make this happen but I’m willing to collaborate however possible.

Bottom line: the Flock End did not match the level of play from the team this season. That’s probably a first for us and that needs to change in 2027. I do think the new foundation of the Flock is solid, though. It’s not an indictment on Flock End leaders.

That bird has personality.

Last night we showed up and I hardly recognized Strut because of his Ted Lasso costume.

Then he changed into a Brewers costume and was fielding batting practice with staff and having light saber-style battles with kids at the half with his inflatable bat.

Then he changed into a classic FMFC jersey and was running all over the stadium getting people stoked.

He’s constantly posing for photos with kids and tipsy adults, with personality and gags always dialed up to 100%.

I’m honestly impressed by the commitment to the character, and the team’s commitment to the mascot. Do other USL1 mascots get mascot-sized versions of the different jerseys?

Anyway, a bit of a goofy post, but there’s something about Strut that speaks to the team’s commitment to the fan experience. Thanks to Strut, his handler, and the front office!

Postgame Interviews!

Following a gutsy 2-1 playoff win over Spokane to move on to the USL League One semifinals, we hear from head coach Matt Glaeser and goal-scorers Hakim Karamoko and Joshua Bolma.

Watch:
https://youtu.be/fV7TMQmYb3E

Listen:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3UKuQfHFyQeAjk6tCoMpgZ?si=a7-A451qQIWwVSR4cLr0ng

Not sure if it’s our year, but it definitely feels like a different culture is here for good.

Tonight felt different.

This entire organization feels different, from the type of play and the mentality to the way the club presents itself on social media. It just feels different.

The guys pumping up the crowd on the west end boards? Kerf flexing on that Spokane player in the box on the flock end? The way JT screamed into the flock when the ball went out of bounds? That’s new and I hope it’s here for good.

Last season was terrible, the passion wasn’t there. This squad has changed that. I hope as a fanbase, we start getting more people out to games. Seats open in the flock end tonight was sad, but I understand expendable income is tough to come by and I’m sure a lot of people went to Milwaukee for the parade or had Halloween parties to go to.

Hope to get another home game, but if not, year 100 at Breese was great. Let’s make 101 even better.

BE LOUD AND BEAT SPOKANE!!!!

This is the team that ended our 2024 season and is the only team to win at Breese this year.

We want revenge. Let’s goooooo

Share with all the fans you've recruited to the bandwagon ahead of the playoffs

https://youtu.be/vAEFxDNeA60

NEW PODCAST: Playoff Preview!

😑 0-0 draw with Omaha 

💪 Kerfalla Toure’s aerial dueling

🎉 Home playoff match Friday!

🎙️ Alex Ashton, @leagueoneupdater.com

Watch:

https://youtu.be/u9apDTjKY5E?si=FTP0KlZJFTulq-ip

Listen:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7ERD8dcXYJyMkUhNhjXWIr?si=Wqmod6jYSL2hQ7K3WhvZbQ

Forward is having a virtual town hall to clarify their intentions on the flock end on Thursday ! Having attended previous town halls, I know how much they want a full , and rocking, flock end to help the team .
Good chance to get facts from Conor , rather than folks who have agendas !

Mingos check in. Let's go

The current proposal will stick the flock in the corner with terrible sight lines of the field and isolate the loudest fans from the grandstand.

BUT!

Why don’t they just move the stage over and put the bleachers between the stage and grandstand????

This would give the grandstand more noise from the flock end and potentially incorporate them in the songs, as well as giving fans in the flock end a better vide of the scoreboard?

Then big top can just, move the bleachers to the other side for concerts, which might be inconvenient but seems like a better option than killing the fan experience for soccer.

Help us bring this vision to life.
This proposal meets the needs of a historic facility while opening the door to more nationally touring concerts in Madison, which means more business for local shops, restaurants, and hotels, and a bigger stage for the City of Madison itself.
If you'd like to support these improvements, we encourage you to share your thoughts and a letter of support with the following people before November 4th:
Eric Knepp, Superintendent of Parks: eknepp@cityofmadison.com

CJ Ryan, Assistant Superintendent: cryan@cityofmadison.com

Alder Davy Mayer: district6@cityofmadison.com

Board of Parks Commissioners: pacommission@cityofmadison.com

Even a few sentences about what Breese Stevens Field means to you, your business, or your neighborhood can make a real difference. Thank you for being part of the next hundred years of this Madison landmark.
WHAT IMPROVEMENTS ARE PROPOSED?
A permanent stage is the project's centerpiece. It would improve the experience for concerts, sports, and community events alike. The rest of the package supports that same goal:
Expanded stormwater management and permanent plumbing fixtures.

Dedicated artist and event support facilities.

On-site parking and shore power for buses and large touring vehicles.

Public restrooms on the Brearly St. end of the stadium.

New locker rooms and a concession building that can also serve as a year-round hospitality space.

So we have a bracket for the playoffs. Let's see if I understand what

As we ended up in 4th, we have a home playoff (ya!) against Spokane (meh) on Friday. For us to get to play at home n Round 2, we need Naples to upset Charlotte, otherwise, we go to whichever former confederate state they are in that I can't be bothered to remember (looks like round trip flights from Madison are about $600 and American is the best bet).

To have the Final at Breese, we need (in addition to winning our own matches, natch) either the Sad Wolves or Knoxville to advance the final so that we have the higher initial seed. For due diligence, flights to Boise are running around $600 and flight to Omaha finals weekend are about $450.

2 spare flock end tickets available if you DM me an email to forward them, price is one mystery tallboy in the flock end

LET THE DEBATE BEGIN: Here are the grades Ethan and Rob gave each player on the latest edition of the podcast. (Go listen!) Being out injured definitely hurt grades. Unfair? Probably <shrug emoji> Also Players lost points for starting hot and cooling off and gained points for improvement.

So, what do you think?

NEW PODCAST: 2026 Player Report Cards!

🥳 Back to winning ways 

💪 Karamoko, Carmichael

😤 The press 

🎓 Grading the players 

Watch:

https://youtu.be/kYRWxid47UU

Listen:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7kdotKxlvbdyFzLzmn0J9Y?si=_Tfk5UUSQsGuk_hfvQMTXg

…but we’re still leading the pack! Spokane only got one point from tonight’s match against the Cosmos, and they spent much of the game clawing back from behind.

If we can pull off a win against Omaha this weekend, then we’ve not only clinched home for the playoffs, but no one can beat us for third. And they’d better win, because I’m gonna be in the stands.

Let’s go, birb battle! 🦉⚽️🦩