On Jan. 14, Union Omaha announced the first batch of signings that will be competing in the 2020 inaugural season. 13 players consisting of local talent, USL experience and international success represent this group of players.
Four forwards were signed on Jan. 14 along with one more who signed on Jan. 31. For now, here are your five forwards that will represent the Owls this season.
Evan Conway
Conway finished his illustrious goal scoring career with University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2019. He bagged 6 goals to lead the Panthers along with adding 5 assists. The six-foot-one-inch forward tied for the third most goals in USL League 2 side, Ventura County Fusion, in 2019. He added 9 goals in 12 games for the Fusion.
Conway’s length will be a problem for defenses this season which is evident in this video. He gains good position on the back of the defender and meets the ball in the air with an aggressive header which finds the back of the net. Conway’s clinical finish in this video and his other highlights showcase the talent from the forward.
Elma Nfor
The Bamenda, Cameroon native comes to the Owls from USL League One’s Lansing Ignite. Nfor finished with four goals on the season. Ex-Ignite player and now Owls midfielder, Xavier Gomez, and Nfor already have a strong partnership on the field. Their familiarity with each other should prove to be successful especially in transition.
Nfor’s impressive top shelf goal gained him an ESPN Top 10 appearance on Sportscenter in 2019. His shot rockets off of his right foot as he goes for the acrobatic finish. Nfor’s athleticism and pace will be tough for defenders to track especially against the run of play.
Juan Mare
Mare comes to Omaha via USL League One club, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC. Mare finished 2019 with 16 appearances for the Red Wolves, but he could not find the back of the net or create an assist during the season. Previously in 2018, Mare rounded out the Real Monarchs squad in the USL Championship. He played in 21 games while scoring two sound goals.
Mare’s goal in 2018 earned him consideration for USL goal of the week. He stops just outside the box and hits a rocket towards the back post. This shot shows the quality that he possesses. More time as a starter might give him more opportunities to score where in the past he has been featured as a substitute for his club.
Ethan Vanacore-Decker
Last season, Vanacore-Decker played for Swope Park Rankers (now Sporting KC II) in the USL Championship. He scored 4 goals in 29 appearances for Swope Park while creating 10 key passes and adding an assist to his name.
Vanacore-Decker’s late goal could not change the outcome of the game for Swope Park, but it did show his skill. The right-footed flick towards the back post, upper 90 was well executed especially for a first touch. This type of confidence to try a shot of this magnitude is refreshing.
Elvir Ibisevic
The most recent player to sign for the Owls. Ibisevic joined Union Omaha last week on Jan. 31. He is also the second player to come from University of Nebraska Omaha where he played under Coach Jay Mims. The last two seasons has seen Ibisevic depart for Europe where he gained valuable experience. In 2018 and part of 2019, he played for NK Celje in Slovenia’s first tier football league. Ibisevic was transferred to Chemie Leipzig in Germany’s fourth division of professional soccer on September 2, 2019.
Ibisevic’s first professional soccer goal came from his time with NK Celje. He calmly puts the ball in the back of net after a miscue from the keeper. Many fans know of his quality from his time with the Mavericks, but the skill and knowledge that was gained during his stints in Europe will be priceless for the Owls.
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