Forward Madison FC took control of second place in the USL League One standings with three games to go in its regular season campaign as it concluded a three-game road trip with a 4-2 victory against the third-place Charlotte Independence on Friday night at American Legion Memorial Stadium.

Here are three things we took away from the contest as the Flamingos equaled their highest scoring output of the regular season and moved within three points of first-place Union Omaha.

1. MADISON’S ROSTER MANAGEMENT WAS PERFECT

When Forward Madison FC departed for last Saturday’s USL Jägermeister Cup Final, it knew it would have to not only prepare for the biggest game in club history last Saturday night against Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC, but a 2,637-mile road trip that also included a clash with One Knoxville SC on Tuesday night before Friday’s visit to the Charlotte Independence. While the Flamingos were unable to lift their first trophy, the way Head Coach Matt Glaeser managed his players throughout the three games set them up for success in each one and made them a clear challenger to Union Omaha when the League One Playoffs arrive.

Giving the trio of Mitchell Osmond, Devin Boyce and Christian Chaney a night off in Knoxville and managing Juan Galindrez’s minutes to where he played only the opening 45 minutes there paid off in Charlotte. Osmond was his usual metronomic self in the back line as the visitors controlled the tempo, both Boyce and Galindrez found the net as part of strong displays, and Chaney could have found the net as well in a solid overall shift. Having picked up four points in the past four days and sealed a playoff berth as well, Madison gets to head the final 903 miles back home looking in great shape.

2. FLAMINGOS DICTATED TERMS IMPRESSIVELY

Madison’s rotation helped the side’s energy, which was where it needed to be from the opening whistle and remained high as it limited the Independence by controlling not only more possession but by generally holding a territorial advantage throughout the night. The Flamingos did this in part by winning the physical battles, winning 54.2 percent of duels overall and 61 percent in the second half as the side maintained its level. That in turn made life difficult for Charlotte, which was unable to establish any consistent pressure in the Madison defensive third.

The center back duo of Mitchell Osmond and Michael Chilaka led the way as Osmond won 5 of 7 duels and Chilaka 7 of 8. After winning possession, Madison made it challenging for Charlotte to get it back, completing 90.2 percent of its passes, its highest single-game mark on the road this season. Add it up, and only 21.5 percent of the game ended up being played in Madison’s defensive third as the visitors limited the Independence to only four shots overall.

3. CHARLOTTE NEEDED MORE FROM J.C. OBREGON

J.C. Obregon Jr. has been outstanding for the Charlotte Independence this season, sitting tied for the lead in the Golden Boot race at kickoff, but in a game his side needed to win to have a good shot at the No. 2 seed and a home game to open the playoffs, he wasn’t visible until far too late via his consolation goal with a minute to go.

The 26-year-old touches were clean, for sure – he completed 22 of 24 passes – but they were rarely in a threatening area for the hosts as only two entered the attacking third. When Obregon found the net for his league-leading 13th goal of the season, it was only his second touch in the penalty area of the game. For most of the game, the Independence were off the pace, and a pair of beautiful finishes aside, this wasn’t the performance they needed. Obregon’s outing wasn’t the only below-par performance, but with his ability, it was the most disappointing.