Today’s Forecast

35º | Cloudy | 15% chance of sleet | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 4:39 p.m.

⚽ A chat with Forward Madison’s Sam Brotherton

Forward Madison's Sam Brotherton at a practice

Sam Brotherton joins the Flamingos following an impressive campaign with Auckland City FC last year. | Photo provided by Forward Madison FC

Calling all soccer fans. Forward Madison has a packed schedule this season. Their home opener kicks off on Saturday, April 15 against Greenville Triumph SC, followed by a friendly (read: a non-competitive match) on Saturday, April 22 against UW-Madison. ⚽

Before you head to Breese Stevens Field, we caught up with New Zealand-born Forward Madison Defender Sam Brotherton to take a look at his return to Madison and what to expect from him on the field this season.

A look at some of Sam’s career highlights:

2015: Sam is named to the New Zealand national under-20 football team for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
2015: He moves to the US to play with the University of Wisconsin, where he makes 17 appearances in 19 games in his freshman year.
2017-2019: Sam heads across the pond and joins Sunderland A.F.C., a part of the English Premier League.
2019-2020: Sam returns to the states and joins North Carolina FC.
2021-2022: Sam heads back to his native home to play for Auckland City FC.
2023: Madison welcomes Sam back and he joins Forward Madison.

Q+A with Sam

Q: What are you most excited about this season?
A: I am most excited about playing in front of the fans at Bresse Stevens Field.

Q: What is your goal for the season?
A: First thing first, my goal coming into a new team is you want to play so you push yourself to get into the starting lineup. I want to be a good teammate and enjoy the year representing the club on the pitch and in the community.

Q: How does it feel to be back in Madison playing soccer?
A: It’s awesome to be back in Madison and I can’t wait to represent the community on the field again.

Q: How has Madison changed since you’ve last been here?
A: I wouldn’t say Madison has changed so much in terms of my perspective has kind of changed in terms of you’re not being a college student anymore. As a college student, I was pretty confined to campus. Now that I’m back here as a non-student living out here on the east side, I get to see a little bit of a different part of town. It’s really cool to be back involved in Madison and the community.

Q: What song gets you fired up before a game?
A: Trophies by Young Money ft. Drake

See Sam’s answers to three more questions. Grab tickets to the friendly against UW-Madison on Saturday, April 22 (and the rest of the season), and get ready to cheer on the Mingos this spring. 🦩 *

Score tickets

This content was created in partnership with Forward Madison FC.*

Asked

Giveaway: Want to win two tickets to the friendly on April 22? Simply answer the question below, add your email address, and opt-in to receive future promotions from Forward Madison.

What are you most excited about for the upcoming season?
A. The matches
B. Concessions and snacks
C. Theme nights
D. Kit releases
E. Other (tell us below)

Let us know

Events

Today, March 24

Cocktails in the Conservatory | Friday, Mar. 24 | 7-11 p.m. | Olbrich Botanical Gardens, 3330 Atwood Ave., Madison | $10 | Stroll through the Bolz Conservatory, sip a cocktail, and enjoy the beats of DJ Femme Noir.

Saturday, March 25

Vignette Dining Club: The Comeback Tour/In The Key Of Italy | Saturday, Mar. 25 | 5:30-9 p.m. | The Deliciouser, 931 E. Main St., Madison | $75 | Join Chef Mark for a four-course meal featuring some of his greatest hits.
FMFC Watch Party vs. Union Omaha | Saturday, Mar. 25 | 1-4 p.m. | The Forward Club at Breese Stevens Field, 917 E. Mifflin St. (Gate 5), Madison | Cheer on the Mingos as they take on Union Omaha.*

Sunday, March 26

Verona Downtown Farmers Market - Winter Market | Sunday, Mar. 26 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Badger Prairie Needs Network Kasieta Center, 1200 E. Verona Ave., Verona | Free | Stop by the last indoor market of the season.
Urban SUN: Black Voices Book Club | Sunday, Mar. 26 | 4-5 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Register to join this book club devoted to creating meaningful conversations about race by exploring works of African-American authors.

Monday, March 27

Public Info Meeting - Warner Park Community Rec. Center | Monday, Mar. 27 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | The design team and city staff will review proposals and answer project questions.
Dames of Drink | Monday, Mar. 27 | 5-10 p.m. | State Line Distillery, 1413 Northern Ct., Madison | Free | Celebrate the women behind Madison’s craft beverage scene with drinks, raffles, and food from M&J’s Jamaican.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

Click here to have your event featured.

100+ more events

News Notes

Weather

48º | Partly cloudy | 8% chance of rain

Announced

The 2023 Summerfest lineup dropped yesterday. This marks 55 years of the world’s largest musical festival. Keep reading today’s newsletter to start planning for the weekends-only event taking place Thursday, June 22-Saturday, July 8.

Traffic

The State Folkstyle Wrestling Championship is expected to bring high traffic to the Beltline, as well as the John Nolen Drive and Rimrock Road exits. The Dane County Sheriff’s Office is suggesting morning commuters consider a different route to avoid the area. (NBC 15)

Environment

Sustain Dane is working with the City of Madison to offer a Master Recycler Course. For $15, Madisonians can attend two 90-minute virtual classes addressing the ins and outs of responsible recycling. For more information, download the 2023 Recyclopedia.

Job

Calling all outdoorsy folk — the Dane County and Madison Parks Departments are hiring. Apply today for a volunteer coordinator, education coordinator, summer education staff, or park attendant position.

Community

Cluck, cluck, hooray. Madison residents are now allowed to keep up to eight chickens on their property. The birds must be kept in a covered enclosure, and property owners must have a chicken license. (Madison.com)

Number

$241. That’s the real price of a roundtrip ticket from Boston to Barcelona sold this year via Going — a travel membership that alerts you when flight prices drop. Sign up for a free membership or try an Elite membership for free if you’re interested in business and first class tickets, too.

DYK

Did you know today is the last day to enter our Six & Main Spring Forward Contest? The winner + two of their friends will receive a prize from one of our coffee/tea brand partners. Spring on over to Instagram to learn more.

Events

🗓️ Keeping abreast of the best fest

Celebrate 55 years of Summerfest this summer. | Photo by Summerfest

This year’s Summerfest lineup officially dropped. We’re helping you get ready for the best three weekends of the summer.

🎊 Play

The world’s largest music fest is celebrating its 55th anniversary — get in on the action.

Happy Hour | Enjoy $5.50 Miller products from 4-5 p.m. each day.
MKE Admirals Summerfest Night | All hockey fans in attendance will receive a free general admission fest pass.
Fest Fan contest | Prove that you’re Summerfest’s biggest fan for a chance to win a prize bundle including a private fest party with a $2,000 food and beverage credit.

💰 Work

Flip the script and get paid to go to Summerfest. Check out job openings like these:

Security
Sign Shop artist
V.I.P bartenders, hosts, and attendants
Grounds crew

💤 Stay

Brewhouse Inn | 3 miles from grounds
The Pfister | 1 mile from grounds
Saint Kate | 1.5 miles from grounds
Sonesta | 9 miles from grounds

The Wrap

Today’s Edition By:
Ally

From the Editor

I have a confession to make — I’ve never been to Summerfest. What’s worse? My family is from Milwaukee, I was born there, and I went to UWM for a year. I know, I know, not very Wisconsin of me. To be fair, I’m not a huge fan of loud music and big crowds. However, Bleachers, Japanese Breakfast, and bbno$ are all catching my eye on this year’s lineup.

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

* This content is paid advertising, or contains links to our Six & Main marketplace, or affiliate partners which we may receive a commission from. ^ This content is created by our content studio.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | SHOP