On Wednesday, May 26th, Union Omaha and Forward Madison will take the field at Breese Stevens Field and face off for the first time this season. The regional rivals have only played two matches, but they remain undefeated. The last time Madison played was in Saturday, May 15th, defeating North Carolina FC 1-0 at home.
In 2020, the two clubs faced one another twice and both contests ended in draws: 1-1 in Omaha and 0-0 in Madison. Both of the goals scored last season came as a result of set pieces. Madison scored a header off of a direct kick within the first ten minutes and Omaha converted a penalty kick twenty minutes later. The second match turned into a messy match, as the center ref awarded five yellow cards.
Wednesday’s match could easily blend the previous two matches together. Both clubs play a fast and furious style, both are physical, and yet both clubs are capable of settling the ball and executing a technically sound match. It’s anyone’s guess as to whether that happens. What can we expect from the upcoming match? Let’s consider a three things:
- Set pieces. They were touched upon earlier, but it’s important to reconsider the issue. The first match saw 19 fouls and the foul count in the second match increased to 25. With the average foul happening every 3-4 minutes, there will be plenty of opportunities for both teams to rehearse their designed set pieces. These plays become more important as the spot of the foul edges closer to the goal. A possible play design for the set pieces leads me to next topic.
- Aerial battles. When the two teams first met in Omaha, the Owls won 75% of the aerial battles. Later in the same season, Forward Madison was able edge the percentages closer to a 50/50 split. Union Omaha has done a good job of controlling the airspace, but Forward Madison will take the field tomorrow with a concerted effort to establish control of the air in order to vary their attack options, which leads to the third point.
- Final third possession. There’s no doubt that both teams play it fast and loose. What’s more in doubt, especially for Forward Madison, is how they look to solve the stingy Union Omaha defense. Teams have had a tough time working through the Owls defense. Case in point: Union Omaha has only conceded one goal so far this season. They’re fast, physical, and cover one another’s back when needed. When facing a highly-calculated Greenville offense, Union Omaha was able to limit the Triumph’s shots on goal to 3. Forward Madison faces a tall task, but not one that’s impossible. Of the three points discussed, this one will be the most entertaining to watch.
There are a lot of unknowns with this matchup and that makes it all the more enticing. The points discussed above may be few in number, but may also prove to be crucial to a victory for either side. With neither side able to take three points from either match, Wednesday’s match could break that streak. Add to that the fact that both sides went scoreless during last season’s match in Madison, Wisconsin and you may witness another streak breaking before your eyes.
Kickoff is set for 7 PM (CST) and will air on ESPN+. Settle in for a two-hour broadcast filled with plenty of drama and intrigue. You can be sure the match will be fast-paced, physical, and full of emotions. What’s less sure is the combined total of yellow cards and goals during the match. For that, there’s no other way to find out than by tuning in.
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