Wisconsin Soccer Central

Madison 56ers coach Jim Launder couldn't recall anything quite like the start of Sunday afternoon's match against the Chicago Fire NPSL team.

After Fire forward Victor Freeman punched a goal in from inside the box just four minutes into the game, he followed it with a looping shot over charging Madison goalkeeper Nick Powell (Madison Memorial/Butler) five minutes later.

"I don't remember giving up two goals like that in a game ever," Launder said after the Fire used the early strikes to run away to a 4-0 win in a National Premier Soccer League Midwest Region match at Warner Park, "much less both right away."

Considering Launder's extensive coaching resume, that's saying something.

All told, Chicago (2-1-1) scored three goals in the first 14 minutes to quickly spoil the 56ers' first NPSL home game of the season and bring Madison's three-game winning streak to a screeching halt. Freeman returned the favor to Matt Eliason, who assisted on the first two goals, with a feed that a streaking Eliason put past Powell.

"That was definitely the difference today," said Fire coach Graham Brennan, whose team moved into a tie for third place in the Midwest Region with FC Indiana. "We jumped on them early."

But it's not that Madison (3-2-1 overall, 3-2 NPSL Midwest) didn't have its opportunities. The 56ers controlled the play for the remainder of the match, but couldn't connect on their chances, especially early in the second half.

After a great cross from left back Chris Brown (McFarland/UW-Platteville), a diving header by forward Ilya Ksenidi (West Allis Hale/UW-Green Bay) sailed wide left in the 52nd minute. A corner kick left midfielder Kyle Pateros (Janesville Craig/Butler) with a chance right in front of goal, but his dribbler went straight at Chicago keeper Brock Tomlinson. A few minutes later, Ksenidi couldn't corral a rebound off a Pateros miss.

"We had some good opportunities," said Ksenidi, whose team outshot the Fire 12-6 and also had a 5-0 advantage in corner kicks. "A couple inches here and there, but that's soccer, that's the game."

Fire forward Phillip Mitchell added the final goal in the 57th, scoring just a minute after coming into the game. But the three early goals all but killed the match, Launder said.

"We tried to press and they were able to drop back," he said. "You don't get as clear of chances — half-chances, quick shots."

Despite the loss, Madison is still tied for first in the region with the St. Paul Twin Stars. But with the win, the Fire avenged a 2-0 loss to the 56ers from June 9 and followed up Saturday night's big 2-0 win at reigning Midwest champion St. Paul with another impressive victory.

"They're a good team," Launder said of the Fire, who can move into first place with a win over last-place Eau Claire Aris FC next weekend. "I just think they had a bad day (June 9). Now we had our bad day."

"We've just got come out stronger next game," Ksenidi added. "In this league, results can change from day to day."

From the touchline

It was the third time this season the 56ers have been shut out — they have 12 goals in their other three matches. ... The 56ers take a break from league play next weekend to play in the U.S. Adult Soccer Association Region II Amateur Cup at Chicago Gaelic Park in Oak Forest, Ill. Madison faces Croatia Cleveland, FC Indiana and AAC Eagles (Ill.) in group play Friday and Saturday, with the group winner advancing to Sunday's final. The regional champion advances to the national finals July 24-26 in Orlando, Fla. ... The 56ers' next home game is July 11 against St. Paul at Breese Stevens Field.

Chicago Fire NPSL — Victor Freeman (Matt Eliason) 4
Chicago Fire NPSL — Victor Freeman (Matt Eliason) 9
Chicago Fire NPSL — Matt Eliason (Victor Freeman) 14
Chicago Fire NPSL — Phillip Mitchell 57

CHICAGO FIRE NPSL: Brock Tomlinson; Brian Fakkema, Cody Stanley, Michael Hayden (Samuel Vanaria 58), Paul Kopec; Zach Prince (Taylor Bond 60), Carlos Bucio (Dylan O’Neil 45), Hunter Van Houten, Moriba Diallo (Scott Lorenz 45); Matt Eliason (Alex Harrison 60), Victor Freeman (Phillip Mitchell 56).

MADISON 56ERS: Nick Powell; Chris Brown (Nick Kay 75), Bram Dorrestyn, Cale Cooper (Parker Walton 65), Brian Bultman; Will Howell, Keith Dangarembwa (J.C. Banks 65); Kyle Pateros (Eric Meyer 75), Pablo Delgado (William Bagayoko 75), Trevor Banks (Will Ziegahn 75); Ilya Ksenidi (Demetrius White 65).

Saves: C (Tomlinson) 4; M (Powell) 1.
Shots: C 6, M 12. Corner kicks: C 0, M 5. Fouls: C 5, M 2. Offsides: C 1, M 1. Discipline: C — Stanley (45, caution), Kopec (85, caution). Att. — 255.