On a night that saw a moment of silence for Wisconsin legend and former USMNT player, Jimmy Banks, who lost a brave fight to cancer, about 4 inches of snow blanketed a sellout crowd of nearly 4,500 (which doubled the league’s home attendance to date) in Madison, Wisconsin. The quiet calm of the night was punctuated by drums, chants, and cheers as Forward Madison FC took to the pitch.
Even former USMNT player and new Greenville head coach John Harkes stood in awe of the atmosphere.
Wisconsin Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes was there for the honorary kickoff, but it was the 500+ fans marching down Washington St.