Harms Named Goalkeeper of the Year Finalist
Forward Madison's JT Harms is one of three finalists for the USL League One Goalkeeper of the Year Award.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Soccer
JT Harms, goalkeeper for Forward Madison, was named a finalist for the USL League One Goalkeeper of the Year Award alongside Cole Jensen of Union Omaha and Matt Levy of Charlotte Independence. Forward Madison's defense was the only unit in the league to allow fewer than a goal per game in 2026.
Why it matters
Harms tied Bernd Schipmann for the league lead with 10 clean sheets in 2026, anchoring a defense that set the standard for the division. The recognition comes as Forward Madison prepares for a playoff semifinal that could extend its season.
Harms tied Bernd Schipmann for the league high with 10 clean sheets in 2026, while Jensen led the league with a 78.3% save percentage across 17 starts. The winner of the award will be decided by voters, and the source does not detail the weighting of individual versus team metrics.
The players
JT Harms
Harms is a 24-year-old goalkeeper from Whitefish Bay who has anchored Forward Madison's defense.
Forward Madison
Forward Madison is a USL League One soccer club based in Madison, Wisconsin, whose defense led the league in limiting goals in 2026.
Charlotte Independence
Charlotte Independence is a USL League One soccer club based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the top team in the league table this season.
The details
Harms was named a finalist for the USL League One Goalkeeper of the Year Award. Voters will see Harms and Levy face off on Sunday, when Forward Madison plays Charlotte Independence in the USL League One Playoffs semifinal in North Carolina at 6 p.m. CT.
Timeline
2026 season: Harms recorded 10 clean sheets, tied for the league lead.
Friday, November 6, 2026: Harms named a finalist for Goalkeeper of the Year.
Sunday, November 8, 2026: Forward Madison plays Charlotte Independence in the playoff semifinal at 6 p.m. CT.
Season Trajectory
Harms's recognition reflects the 2026 USL League One leaderboards, where Forward Madison's defense was the only unit to concede fewer than a goal per game. The award finalists also include Levy, whose Charlotte Independence team topped the league table this season.
The Sunday semifinal decides whether Forward Madison advances, so fans following the club's postseason run should note the 6 p.m. CT kickoff. Harms's award outcome will be announced separately from the match result.
The takeaway
Harms's finalist status shows that defensive numbers can earn individual recognition even when the goalkeeper plays behind a strong team. Readers following the playoffs can track the Sunday semifinal and the award announcement as separate storylines.
What happens next
Forward Madison plays Charlotte Independence in the USL League One Playoffs semifinal on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 6 p.m. CT in North Carolina.
Further reading
For more on the club's season, see Soccer coverage across the region.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Channel 3000.
