MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – Madison’s newest women’s soccer team officially took the field Friday night.
Rally Madison FC hosted Chicago House AC in a preseason friendly ahead of the club’s inaugural season, drawing a large crowd excited to welcome women’s pre-professional soccer to the capital city.
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Head Coach Giuliano Oliviero said the club hopes to build on Madison’s already strong soccer culture.
“You’ve watched Forward Madison over the past seven years and now here we are with Rally Madison FC and some great young female athletes getting out there and putting on a show in front of some great fans,” Oliviero said. “We’ve seen the support on the Forward Madison side and we’re hoping for the same.”
The team is made up largely of Wisconsin players, with athletes representing several levels of college soccer programs across the region.
Oliviero said the roster has quickly started to come together as players spend more time with one another ahead of the regular season.
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“It’s a really nice mix and just a really great group of players coming together,” he said. “And the more time they spend together, the more they’re going to gel.”
Fans packed the stadium Friday night, many saying they were excited to see women’s soccer continue to grow in Madison.
“Oh my gosh, it’s a dream,” fan Hailey Kronberg said. “Women’s sports is so important.”
Kronberg said having a women’s team in Madison gives young girls like her daughter local athletes to look up to.
“As she grows up, it’s like looking to the people that can do it just as great as anybody else,” she said. “Being a girl is an awesome thing.”
Friday’s match also added another chapter to the long history of Breese Stevens Field, which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary.
Fans said the atmosphere inside the historic stadium is part of what makes Madison’s soccer community special.
“Just means friendship, fellowship,” fan John Geary said. “Coming here to Breese Stevens, it’s just always a good vibe. Everyone’s great and the games are awesome. The players are awesome.”
Geary said he had been looking forward to Rally Madison FC’s debut since the team was announced.
“It’s awesome,” he said. “I love going to Forward games and now there’s a women’s league. It’s like twice the fun in one season.”
Oliviero said while the club expects challenges during its first season, the support from fans Friday night was encouraging.
“Support the players, cheer for the players,” he said. “I’m sure we’re going to have some ups and downs. It’s our first year, but really we just want the support of the crowd, and we want them to be loud.”
Rally Madison FC’s official regular season opener is set for May 23 against Minnesota Aurora FC at Breese Stevens Field.
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