3 Questions: Tucson (Home)

If we go on to finish second in the league, I think we will look back at this stretch as a springboard to that finish. For the next five games, we should be favored in the next four and then we face Richmond, our primary rival at the moment for 2nd place. Even given that amount of pressure to perform, I’m more relaxed about this game than I have been for a game in weeks. Let’s dive into the questions that I’m looking to get answered this week:

1) Can Sam Howard fill the gloves of Rashid Nuhu?

After enduring heaps of unpunished abuse from Ronaldo Damus, Rashid lost his cool for a split second and will get a game off in the stands for his troubles. If you haven’t seen the video yet, please watch this video from my colleague Liam Keating.

Maybe the league didn’t have this video when they overturned Damus’ red card, but regardless, they did not overturn Rashid’s. As such I think we’ll see Sam Howard in goal. Our defense has not asked Rashid to make a tremendous number of saves. He has averaged 1.2 saves per game by far the lowest of all goalkeepers in League One. There are 11 goalkeepers above him on the total saves rankings including multiple North Texas keepers. I don’t expect our goalkeeper to have a lot of work to do, so will Sam answer the call when his time comes to make his save (or two) count for us?

Alternatively, what happens if Jay surprises all of us and starts Brian Holt? Brian last played about 21 days (05/07/19) before Sam’s last start (05/30/19) but, Sam has been our backup keeper for months now time when Brian was working a desk job. Just want to cover my bases since I’ve learned that Jay makes his selections on practice form and a number of factors not obvious to the outside world and I do like to look prescient.

2) Does Dami finally get a goal or assist?

One of the reasons for my sense of optimism this week is that we should be starting our strongest lineup again on Saturday, although see last sentence of point #1. Most of those players are in good form at the moment. I think with the Triple E offense on the field again for the start of a match, we could finally see Los Buhos score more than two goals in a match. Two players will be key to that: Dami and EVD.

Dami is currently tied for third in the league in chances created with 12. I would love to see him get a goal or an assist to help validate that creative effort. With JP Scearce scoring our first set piece goal on Sunday, I’d love for the floodgates to open on scoring from set pieces and crosses.

3) Does EVD make his closing argument for player of the month.

Ethan Vanacore-Decker had a goal and assist in the last match (and won the penalty against Madison) and didn’t make the team of the week. Outrage! My leading candidate for MVP should be a leading contender for player of the month with 2 goals, 3 assists, and 1 penalty won, contributing to 100% of Union Omaha’s goals in their, so far, undefeated month of August. For the league to recognize this he probably needs something spectacular like a Goal of the Week candidate.

Personally, I’d love nothing more than an entertaining romp through FC Tucson on a beautiful night at Werner Park. Something like the game away in Tucson but with us scoring more and them scoring less. But, I’ll take the 3 points anyway they come, and I’m sure Sam, Dami, Ethan and the other Owls will too.

Bonus) What simple action can we take to combat systemic racism?

With other sports teams around the country making a powerful statement with wildcat strikes this week and USL teams, the ones that are playing, taking the first seven minutes of the match in silent reflection, I’d imagine our boys will be playing on Saturday but letting the clock run for seven minutes before any meaningful action. I applaud them for using their platform to share their beliefs. As a fan and civic minded Nebraska here is one important thing you can do before the match to help combat systemic racism in our state.

Contact your state senator and ask them to support coming back for a special session to address racial justice reforms. Find your senator here and send them an email from your heart. Costs nothing and takes less than 5 minutes. Viva Buhos!