Chilaka returns!

Happy New Year!

At least 75% of the league’s best backline will be back in Madison, as FMFC announced today the return of Israeli defender Michael Chilaka.

Like many players who joined the club in 2023, Chilaka grew into his role as the season went along. Playing in place of Jake Crull when he was out on Dad Duty, Chilaka was a bit shaky defensively at first, but was positively staunch playing on the right later in the season. He also grew to nearly match Timmy Mehl’s distribution ability, posting an 89.9% passing accuracy.

He also scored Madison’s first goal from a corner kick since 1978.

(Not really 1978. But it had been a while.)

The one member of the backline we don’t know about yet is Mehl. We’re hearing talk of other teams making runs at him, as it seems he’s out of contract. He’s certainly one that we’d like to have back, but with more teams in the league, and potentially interest at the Championship level, it might be tough to keep up with a bidding war.

We also don’t know about Devin Boyce, the player I’m getting asked the most about. I remain optimistic. Most of the guys Matt signed last year signed with an option, and it’d be madness not to excercise that option, if the club has an option on Devin. Stay tuned - I’ll let you know when I hear!

Also, one other note: not a lot of official confirmation on this, but word is that a new league rule prohibits public announcements of a contract signing IF that contract is contingent on a physical exam AND the exam hasn’t been done yet. Which effectively means a club can’t announce a new contract until the player is in town, and guys won’t start arriving until mid-January at least. So I’d expect a few more weeks before we hear about new guys. Stay tuned!