Never Say Die

Hello Union Omaha fans!

We’re at the most fun and heart-wrench inducing point in the season. Our final home game, decision day, potentially the end of our historic 2020 season. Going into Saturday against Ft Lauderdale CF we have a huge opportunity to give the season the ending we deserve, but to do so, we need some help.

Richmond (Home) vs Chattanooga (Away)

The biggest help would come at the hands of the bone breaking Chattanooga Red Wolves. Our loss there earlier in the season was a gut punch, literally, and caused Dami to be sidelined for our next few games. Will CRW gives us the hand we need? Playing at home at City Stadium gives Richmond a solid advantage, as I’m sure the Red Army will be out in socially distanced force, but not one that Greg Hurst and Alex Mangels won’t be able to handle. A tie or a CRW win here leaves the door open for Union Omaha. Looking for a CRW win puts us in the best position and here’s how I believe they can do it.

• Shut down Terzaghi
• *Yoda voice* Down Terzaghi shut
• Don’t let Terzaghi score
• Get Greg Hurst 3 goals to tie for 1st in the golden boot race

You get the gist. Both keepers are strong but with 2 leaders in the golden boot race up against each other, that’s where I see the fight coming.

North Texas (Home) vs South Georgia (Away)

Now had you asked me 3 weeks ago how I’d have thought this game would have gone, I’d have been very pessimistic. Tormenta had looked rough all season, particularly ravaged by COVID, and ultimately missing something to get the needed results. North Texas on the other hand had recalled some key players and fought their way back into contention, even while some other podcasters had crossed them off.

Provided we win, this game doesn’t matter, however, I’d love to see the Tormenta who ravaged NE2 4-0(a score line NE2 is very used to this season) bring that late season fire and force NTSC to drop some points. A tie or loss here is enough for UO to advance with a tie, if NTSC wins, Union Omaha will need to secure 3pts against Fort Lauderdale.

Union Omaha (Home) vs Fort Lauderdale (Away)

This is the game we need to win. Without a win here, our season is done, finished, kaput. Going into this game our fate is still up in the air due to the kick time of Richmond and a result for that game will not be announced until roughly the first hydration break at Werner Park. Did I say we needed to win? I did? Good, we definitely need a win here, that rules out any chance of North Texas getting into the final, regardless of the Richmond score. The lads have looked in fine form lately, newcomer Toby Otieno has provided the spine in the midfield we didn’t know we needed, with Dami back in fighting shape and our defense looking as solid as ever, I’ve got very high hopes.

The area that concerned me the most this season had been our ability to finish. Mr. Cabbage Patch himself, Evan Conway, has changed my tune by breaking away from the 1 goal per player trend and giving us a team leading 5 goals on the season. That being said Ethan Vanacore-Decker sneaking up there at 3 goals on the season and 6 assists is nothing to laugh at. With all of our lines shored up, I think we’ll be seeing an explosive team ready to show Omaha what they deserve.

Now for the bad guys… Ft Lauderdale CF. Helmed by Omaha native and US U-23 coach Jason Kreis, being led in scoring by golden boot contender and Creighton alum Ricky Espin-Lopez, this is a bit of a homecoming for some big names. They’re young, they are pros, and they are dangerous. Hopefully they don’t acclimate to the Nebraska cold quickly.

As welcoming as Omaha is as a metro, this is the time to be complete bastards. Kick them out! Send them packing with a big “L” on the record and 3,000 fans cheering a 6-0 Omaha win(Conway wins golden boot with 6 goals and Terzaghi with none). This game has the makings of a do or die, and as Parliament will tell you, “Búhos Never Say Die”.

One last thing to leave you with today, my wife has adapted the words of this video for every big Union Omaha game so far this season. I don’t think there’s a better time to listen to it than now.

Vamos Búhos!