The Wisconsin Badgers men's soccer team will face off against Forward Madison FC (FMFC) in the sixth “Battle of Madison” match on April 20. The game, scheduled for kickoff at 5:00 p.m., will take place at Breese Stevens Field in Madison.
Since FMFC’s first inaugural season in 2019, the professional soccer team and the Badgers have faced off four times, with the game scheduled in 2020 canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their most recent game, a bout in April 2023, ended in a 3-2 victory for FMFC.
The tradition started out of a desire to play preseason games for both teams, said Keith Tiemeyer, FMFC Director of Soccer Operations and former UW-Madison men's soccer Assistant Coach. Tiemeyer was still coaching at UW-Madison when the tradition began.
“The idea of playing FMFC was natural because [the Badgers] had a new, local exhibition opponent in our spring season, not another local university team, but rather a professional team,” Tiemeyer said. “The FMFC coaching staff at the time felt the same way, needing some local preseason matches.”
The excitement around a potential local rivalry game only expanded from that point on.
“From there, Conor Caloia, the CEO of FMFC, decided to make the game a sort of ‘soft opening’ for the stadium and the season. It has since become part of the season ticket package at FMFC,” Tiemeyer said.
The history between the two soccer programs stretches beyond just the yearly matchup. In addition to Tiemeyer, Forward Futures Director Aaron Hohlbein also coached and played at UW-Madison.
“This event allows the Madison soccer community to see teams from two different levels of the American soccer pyramid compete,” Hohlbein said. “It offers soccer fans an opportunity to show how strong the soccer culture is here in Madison.”
Hohlbein said he appreciates Madison, where fans are able to witness many different levels of the sport.
“Having grown up playing youth soccer in Madison, to playing and coaching at UW, and now being a part of the club at Forward Madison, I can say that the opportunities for members of the Madison soccer community to have this level of access to high-level soccer is incredible,” Hohlbein said.
The upcoming game offers the opportunity for both programs to play a team outside of their usual field of opponents. For the Badgers, it provides the challenge of playing a professional soccer team. And for FMFC, the game acts as a preview for their players and their season.
“We will have players on the field that are pushing for their place in the team, maybe fighting for more consistent playing time,” Tiemeyer said. “Exhibition matches like this one provide guys with that opportunity.”
In their last four matchups, FMFC is 2-0-2 against the Badgers. Despite their current unbeaten streak against UW-Madison’s program, Hohlbein said FMFC aims for a win in more ways than just the final score.
“A win in this type of match means having a quality performance in which our players become better and we are able to learn more about our team,” Hohlbein said. “Ultimately, the goal for FMFC is to win in the USL, and this match offers an opportunity to work towards that without having points on the line.”
Tickets for the April match can be purchased on the Forward Madison FC website.
