Five new signings join the roster of Union Omaha for the inaugural 2020 season. Three of the five players officially signed before the Wasatch Cup with Rashid Nuhu, John “JP” Scearce and Tyler David on the official team. On March 2, Illa Osmanu and Sebastian Contreras signed officially with Union Omaha. These two were some of the trialists that were listed on the Owls roster during the first set of preseason games.
Here is the breakdown of the five players that will see the field in the Black and White.
Rashid Nuhu
Nuhu joins Union Omaha as the first goalkeeper in franchise history. The man between the sticks was a part of New York Red Bulls II last year as the second choice keeper. He made four appearances while conceding 10 goals during his stint with the USL Championship side.
Nuhu has strong wrists and quick reflexes which is evident in his highlight tape from his career at Fordham. He allowed only one goal with two clean sheets in the Wasatch Cup during his first three games in goal for Union Omaha.
JP Scearce
The Nogales, Arizona native signs with Union Omaha to bolster the depth of an impressive midfield. An aggressive midfielder who finished with 5 goals in his senior season at Cornell University, He was the main leader for the Ivy League squad where he captained and started all 17 fixtures for the Big Red.
Scearce has fantastic flick with this header from way outside of the box. His athleticism to jump high and make contact on a perfectly weighted ball is an impressive feat for the six-foot-one-inch midfielder.
Tyler David
David joins Union Omaha after playing one year with Hartford Athletic of the USL Championship. David suffered an adductor tear in his hip which ended his 2019 campaign early in July. He only saw the field six times in his short time in Connecticut.
David has lots of experience that should help him succeed with the Owls. He spent in Europe with BK-46 of the Finnish Kakkonen second division league. He made the jump to Europe after a outstanding career with Saint Louis University Bilikins and USL Championship club STLFC. David’s story can be read in detail by The Athletic journalist Jeff Rueter here: https://theathletic.com/387877/2018/06/11/tyler-david-mls-usl-saint-louis-fc-finland/
Personally, David was one of my favorite players to watch during the Wasatch Cup due to his high work rate. He started as a center back in his time at SLU, but has turned himself into a holding midfielder. David played the midfield position during the preseason games in the Wasatch Cup. David’s aggression in Coach Jay Mim’s high pressing team allowed him to become diligent in through balls and defensive stops. In the clip, his defensive stop may have seemed minuscule or unimportant, but his presence forced the Monarchs to pass the ball backwards and help initiate the pressure by the Union Omaha attackers.
Illal Osmanu
Osmanu signed with Union Omaha after graduating from Marshall University. He started all 22 games for the Thundering Herd at the center back position. He was a pivotal part of the back line that saw Marshall bow out of the NCAA Tournament at the Sweet 16 and earn a poll record as high as 11th place during the 2019 season.
Osmanu is a strong defender who is comfortable on the ball. He has a soft touch which adds to his skillset on the ball which will benefit a Union Omaha team that enjoys pressing and playing out of the back with Nuhu in goal.
Sebastian Contreras
Contreras comes to Werner Park from El Paso Locomotive FC where he started 24 of his 34 appearances for the USL Championship team. The 29 year old Argentinian will be one of the most experienced players for the Owls. He finished with 3 goals and four assists along with bagging a goal from the penalty spot in the 2019 Western Conference Semifinals against Sacramento Republic FC.
Contreras’ ability to use his dribbling skills was on display last year against Tulsa as he carved his way into the teeth of defense and was able to draw a penalty. He played the number 10 role as playmaker all season for El Paso and now he has the chance to do it for Union Omaha.
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