Ferrety Sousa will return for 2025
Forward Madison FC has exercised its contract option on Ferrety Sousa for the 2025 season, pending league and federation approval. The defender, who will be playing in his 13th year as a professional, appeared in every Forward Madison match in 2024 — one of five players to do so.
Head Coach and Technical Director, Matt Glaeser, has high expectations for the defender in his second season. “Sousa is an experienced professional that I have known for many years,” Glaeser said. “He is versatile, quick and hard working and we feel like his best work at Forward Madison is yet to come.”
Sousa is another guy, like John Murphy, who was already a talented player who grew into Glaeser’s system. A bit quiet as a sub early on, he became a key piece of the possession game and attack in the latter stages of the season. As Derek Gebhard was used more often as a striker, Sousa stepped into the wingback spot and created a whole bunch of dangerous chances.
“I’m so happy to return to Breese Stevens,” Sousa said when asked about his thoughts on coming back for his second year. “Year one was amazing for me and I’m looking forward to making more history and bringing the title to Madison. The work isn’t finished and with the support we have, anything is possible.”
Sousa has had an extensive career spanning multiple clubs. After excelling with the Carolina RailHawks U-23 team, he played for FCM Aubervilliers in France before returning to the U.S., where he appeared for several teams including the Atlanta Silverbacks, Wilmington Hammerheads, and Las Vegas Lights. Starting in 2020 Sousa played 40 games in two years for Union Omaha before transferring to Sacramento Republic in 2022 (the year Sacramento made that historic run to the US Open Cup final). Sousa joined the Forward squad for his first season at the start of 2024.
We’re told there will be no more announcements over the weekend, but another coming Monday. Stay tuned!