The Kickoff: Thursday, Aug. 29
Your roundup of soccer news across Wisconsin and beyond
Top of the box
Former U.S. national team players Tony Sanneh (UW-Milwaukee) and Lindsay Tarpley (Madison) are among the 21 semifinalists on the National Soccer Hall of Fame Veteran Ballot for the 2025 induction class, while longtime Milwaukee Wave coach Keith Tozer is one of 25 semifinalists on the Builder Ballot.
The National Soccer Hall of Fame, which is in Frisco, Texas, announced the semifinalists in the Veteran and Builder categories on Tuesday. Screening committees will pare those lists down to 10 finalists in each group.
Professional
Forward Madison FC plays one of the biggest matches in its six-year history tonight, as it plays host to Union Omaha in a USL Jägermeister Cup group stage finale. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Breese Stevens Field.
With a win or a tie in regulation (regardless of the shootout result), the Flamingos would win the Central Group and host a semifinal on Sept. 11 at Breese. A loss would open the door for Lexington SC to claim the Central title and semifinal spot by beating the Chattanooga Red Wolves in their group finale Saturday night.
Heading into the final round of group play, Union Omaha is in position to earn the wild card berth, which goes to the non-group winner that scores the most goals.
In Sweden, Maggy Henschler (Milton/UW-Milwaukee) made her first start for KIF Örebro and played all 90 minutes in a 2-1 victory over visiting Linköping FC in a Damallsvenskan (top division) match Wednesday.
Follow all the players with state ties playing professionally in the U.S. and around the world on our Wisconsin Players in the Pros chart. If we've missed anyone, email us at wisconsinsoccercentral@gmail.com or let us know on social media.
College men
UW’s great opening week of the season, with a pair of 4-0 victories over Marist and Drexel, vaulted the Badgers into the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 national poll at No. 22. The Badgers also are ranked third in the North Region poll.
Marquette, which is also 2-0-0 after wins over Drexel and Marist, was among other teams receiving votes in the Top 25 and is ranked fourth in the East Region poll.
UW plays host to the Golden Eagles on Monday night at the McClimon Complex, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.
Recruiting updates
This week’s NCAA Division I schedule
Today's games
UW-Green Bay vs. Southern Indiana, 1 p.m.
UW vs. Illinois-Chicago, 7:30 p.m. (B1G+ 💲)
Friday's game
Yale vs. Marquette, 5 p.m.
Sunday's game
Northern Illinois vs. UW-Green Bay, 1 p.m. (NIU All-Access)
Monday's games
UW-Milwaukee vs. St. Thomas (Minn.), 5 p.m.
UW vs. Marquette, 7 p.m. (B1G+ 💲)
College women
Recruiting updates
This week’s NCAA Division I schedule
Today's games
Kansas State vs. UW-Green Bay, 5 p.m. (ESPN+ 💲)
UW vs. Loyola (Ill.), 5 p.m. (B1G+ 💲)
Challenge Cup — Marquette vs. Illinois-Chicago, 7 p.m. (FloFC 💲)
Challenge Cup — UW-Milwaukee vs. Minnesota, 7 p.m. (ESPN+ 💲)
Sunday's games
UW-Green Bay vs. South Dakota State, noon (ESPN+ 💲)
UW vs. Western Michigan, 1 p.m. (B1G+ 💲)
Challenge Cup — Marquette vs. Minnesota, 1 p.m. (FloFC 💲)
Challenge Cup — UW-Milwaukee vs. Illinois-Chicago, 6 p.m.
High school boys
Banks Denu had five goals and an assist and fellow sophomore Jared Barajas had five assists as Beloit Memorial opened the season with an 8-0 win over host Racine Horlick on Wednesday.
Six state sides are set to play in the 20th annual Great River Classic, which is Sept. 26-28 in Bettendorf, Iowa. Middleton, Milwaukee Marquette, Racine Prairie School, Union Grove, Verona and Waukesha West are among the 39 committed teams, along with teams from Illinois, Kansas and Washington, D.C.
By the numbers: WisSports.net links
Longest active unbeaten streaks
33: Brookfield East (28-0-5)
20: Edgerton (16-0-4)
20: Hudson (17-0-3)
14: Middleton (11-0-3)
10: Milwaukee Marquette (8-0-2)
Longest active winning streak: 8, Sugar River and Union Grove
Note: Games that go to penalty kicks are officially recorded as ties