Union Omaha and North Texas SC finished in a 2-2 draw after a chippy, physical match that left both teams yearning for more.
North Texas SC opened the scoring with a banger of a goal from Edwin Cerrillo. Cerrillo was dropped by parent club FC Dallas this so he could start for North Texas to earn playing time. Of course, Cerrillo did not disappoint.
North Texas whipped in a good ball in the 2’ that was headed away by the Owl defense. The ball landed at Cerrillo’s foot and he blasted a shot past Union Omaha goalkeeper Rashid Nuhu. The shot came from over 30 yards out as Nuhu had zero chance of saving the incredible goal.
The rotated lineup for the Owls saw midfielder Tyler David and defender Illal Osumanu not make the team for their trip to Texas. It is unclear if Head Coach Jay Mims left them off of the team due to injury or rotation of lineup. Nevertheless, the Owls struggled without them.
Turnovers in the middle of the park were abundant as the midfield could not control the pace of the game. North Texas were on the front foot for most of the game as they were able to fire chances at goal due to the mistakes of Union Omaha.
A strange sequence occurred in the 51’ as two players were sent off with red cards. North Texas had a great opportunity to score, but the shot was directly at Nuhu who collected the save. North Texas player, Ronaldo Damus tried to poke the ball out of the hands of Nuhu who had the ball securely in hand.
Nuhu charged at Damus in disgust as he shoved his forearm into the back of his head. The referee had no choice. but to send Nuhu off for his actions. The referee also sent off Damus for instigating the altercation.
The game would finish with 10 men for each team. Second choice goalkeeper, Sam Howard, replaced Nuhu for his first cap of the season.
Union Omaha still down 1-0 were in search of the opening goal. North Texas struggled on set pieces all night due to their lack of height. North Texas dropped usual starting center back Lamar Batista for this game. Batista is excellent in the air utilizing his 6-foot-6-inch length to clear dangerous balls whipped into the box. But, Batista never saw the field.
In the 75’, Union Omaha put to use their height to score their first goal. Ethan Vanacore-Decker delieverd a great cross off of an Owl corner kick to the front post of the opposing goal. Midfielder JP Scearce was there to flick the cross to the back post to score. This was Scearce’s first professional goal.
Minutes later, North Texas marched down the field when Alex Bruce slipped between the two center backs of Union Omaha who were playing a high line. Bruce cut back the ball and passed to his teammate at the top of the box. Gibran Rayo collected the pass and scored with a shot towards the left portion of the goal for North Texas.
Union Omaha’s crossing ability was spectacular on the night as Jake Crull got in on the action. Crull delivered a delicious cross towards the back of the box in the 84’. Midfielder Ferrety Sousa won the aerial duel as the ball landed on Sebastian Contreras thigh and from there landed at the foot of Vanacore-Decker who calmly put it in the back of the net.
Vanacore-Decker has been the team’s MVP for the majority of the season so far. He has been involved in every single goal for the Owls. His celebration or lack there of capped off a grueling night for the Owls who exited Arlington, Texas with the 2-2 draw.
Union Omaha faces FC Tucson at home on Saturday, August 29th at 7PM CST. The Owls defeated the Arizonian club 2-1 over two weeks ago.
Who Gives A Hoot? 