We here at Who Gives A Hoot Media hope you all had a wonderful bye week. Whatever it is you did, wherever you went, we hope you were safe and had fun. Now let’s get back to business.
Tonight, Union Omaha welcomes Forward Madison into Werner Park for the first time since August 19th, 2020. Kickoff is slated for 8 PM (CST) and ESPN+ will carry the televised coverage. At the moment, Union Omaha remains in first place, while Forward Madison fell two places to eighth place after last week’s loss to North Texas SC. The two clubs have already faced each other twice this season, both matches in Madison, Wisconsin. The first match, back in Week 8, was a 1-0 win for the Flamingos. The very next week, Union Omaha exacted revenge and left Madison with a 2-1 win. Overall, the clubs have played one another four times, with each team winning once, losing once, and drawing twice.
The Flamingos come to Omaha having only earned one win in the months of June and July combined. In those seven matches, the club let in 12 goals and tallied only one clean sheet. Sitting in eighth place, Forward Madison is on the outside of the playoffs, so tonight will be a key moment in their attempt to rejuvenate their playoff chances. A win, and its three points, would launch them up the table and back into the playoffs. A loss would only create more space between themselves and the teams racing towards November.
Union Omaha had a bye week last week and hopes to keep their momentum going at the top of the table. The Owls last match, at home against Chattanooga, ended in a 1-1 draw. During the match, JP Scearce earned a red card, so he will not be available to for tonight’s match. With the surplus of options to replace him, Union Omaha shouldn’t lose their midfield integrity and experience.
Stylistically, both clubs are balanced from the back to the top line, so this will be a very close competition once again. The most collective goals scored during the previous matches was three and neither team has ever won by more than one goal. Look for a close scoreline and intense matchups. Forward Madison will certainly keep the ball for long stretches and look to pick apart Union Omaha. Their defense has shown the rare ability of absorbing Union Omaha attacks. The Flamingos are also very strong passers, especially combining their central midfielders with the wings to advance up the field. Those matchups could very well be the decider for the match. Union Omaha will have a greater chance of success if they are able to move personnel from side to side, overload their players, limit their touches between passes, and cut off access to their key goal scorer, Jake Keegan.
Just because tonight’s match is at the end of the work week, doesn’t mean there won’t be a tailgate. Make sure to join the great crowd of people in the parking lot between 5:30 – 7. There will be plenty of games, music, food, and drinks for all to enjoy. The tailgate is free, but Omaha Parliament always accepts donations, as well as volunteering to help set up and/or take down the tents and such. Everyone is welcome to the tailgate, so bring your friends and prepare to make new friends while you’re enjoying yourself.
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