Happy Match Day, Búhos fans! In their third home match this season, Union Omaha welcomes FC Tucson into Werner Park. This will be the first time that these two clubs face one another this season. In 2020, Union Omaha won both matches 2-1. While there are different faces on both rosters, we can expect very similar statistics in tonight’s match.
FC Tucson currently sits in 11th place and nine points behind Union Omaha. Despite FC Tucson only having two wins, both of those wins came on the road (against Toronto FC II and North Carolina FC). Most of their opponents have come from the middle of the standings, so tonight will be a true test of mettle. They currently have the best passing accuracy in the league, as well as conversion of shots to goals. While they may be efficient with their passes and shots, they will find themselves lined up against Union Omaha, who has conceded the fewest goals in the league and has faced the second-lowest amount of shots. The drama near the goal could very easily be outdone by drama near the ball.
The first time these two clubs played one another, they shared seven yellow cards. Just over two weeks later, there three more yellow cards issued during their contest. This season, both clubs have been awarded 20 yellow cards each, an average of two yellows a match for both clubs. In the last four weeks, FC Tucson has also seen four red cards come their way. In fact, the team was awarded two red cards last week during their match against North Texas SC. When FC Tucson lines up against Union Omaha tonight, they’ll be without right back Noah Franke and right midfielder Gio Calixtro. After earning a soft red against Toronto FC II, left back Maximiliano Schenfeld will be allowed to join the club and play in tonight’s match. This development shouldn’t have much of an affect on how the team chooses their formation for tonight.
FC Tucson likes to line up in a 4-5-1 (4 defenders, 5 midfielders, and 1 forward). With three midfielders pressing forward and two defensive midfielders, they have a balanced level of personnel across the field. This allows them to pressure the ball sooner, maintain numbers on the flanks, and helps streamline their offense moving forward. The club has maintained possession well, balancing their short passes with long passes. They average more passes per game (452) than Union Omaha (375), yet still have just as many long passes (59) as Union Omaha (58). They also like to win challenges in the air, so look for FC Tucson to have an effective offense moving forward. This is also a club that will fight to take shots inside the penalty area. They also gravitate away from a lot of flank play and crosses into the box, which is what Union Omaha fans are used to seeing from their club. Hopefully Union Omaha will employ fluid personnel shifts to cover the middle of the field on defense and shift outside to dominate the flanks. Since Union Omaha sticks to the 4-4-2 (4 defenders, 4 midfielders, and 2 forwards), look for the inside midfielders to cover a lot of ground. Luckily, the Owls have a deep roster of high-quality central midfielders, so worries related to substitutions shouldn’t be a problem.
If Union Omaha wants to deal a morale-deflator to FC Tucson, they need to score first, keep the crowd involved, and hold off any goals from FC Tucson until the second half. When FC Tucson scores in the first half, they have a 50% chance of winning. However, if the other team scores first, regardless of the half, FC Tucson has only managed to win 20% of the time. Union Omaha is undefeated when they score first, so make sure you get to Werner Park early, get your merchandise and food/drinks before kickoff, and get loud right away. The Owls will need your support right from the get go.
Union Omaha looks to rebound from a disappointing draw against Richmond. The club only has a one-point lead on Greenville in the standings, so earning three points will be crucial in the clubs quest to earning a first-round bye in the playoffs. Including tonight’s match, Union Omaha has three home matches in a row. This will be a great boost for the Owls because Werner Park is consistently the highest in attendance. While on the road, FC Tucson has played in front of an average attendance of 807 people, the largest reported road attendance was 1,060 people, when the club faced off against North Carolina FC. Werner Park hosted 3,677 people at the last home match. With that many fans bellowing at the FC Tucson players, that level of opposition could have an affect on the field. So if you’re coming to the match tonight, make some noise, let FC Tucson know you’re there, and support Union Omaha.
Evan Conway is still doubtful for tonight’s contest, as head coach Jay Mims has repeatedly stated Conway is going through recovery, even saying that it may be a couple of weeks until we see him again. Mims is hesitant to rush Conway through his recovery and instead wants to be sure of his health before allowing him to return to the field for full contact.
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