North Texas SC (10-8-9, 5th place) vs. Union Omaha (14-5-8, 1st place)
Globe Life Park, Arlington, Texas
7:30 PM (CST), ESPN+
Isn’t it nice to be able to sit back, relax, and not worry about tonight’s results? Even though Union Omaha plays North Texas, it sure feels like a bye week. Both clubs have clinched a spot in the playoffs, Union Omaha has clinched first place, and Búhos Nation is in high spirits. North Texas still has a chance to rise as high as third place tonight, so they have a reason to compete tonight. Tonight’s match could be the last time these two clubs compete against one another, so Union Omaha has an opportunity to remain undefeated against them.
North Texas has only lost once in their last five matches, as well as once in their last five matches at home. This club has been hot and cold all season, though. One week, they’re in 11th place. Another week, they’re in 3rd place. Despite the ups and downs, the club has gravitated close to the 5th-7th place mark. Their current placement doesn’t come close to describe the kind of club they are, though. They are young, eager, aggressive, and highly disciplined. Most of the club’s troubles have come as a result of being on the road. At home, the team has only lost twice. Tonight could very easily be their last home match in the USL, so you know they are looking for a reason to set off some fireworks tonight.
Union Omaha comes off a great effort against Richmond. The 2-0 win was sparked by Toby Otieno’s magical free kick in the second half. Not long after, Greg Hurst filed the insurance policy with a goal of his own. The team battled hard, finished strong, a deserved every second of their celebration in the locker room afterward. Depending on coach Jay Mims’s focus, tonight could an opportunity for other players to get more playing time. By resting the starters, or players carrying heavy minutes on their back, Jay Mims affords his players respite for the next couple of weeks before they host the semifinals on Saturday, November 13th.
These two clubs have faced each other five times and Union Omaha has never lost to North Texas. In fact, since the first match they played (a Union Omaha win), every match has resulted in a draw. This season has seen three draws – two at Werner Park and one at Globe Life Park. The last time Union Omaha played in Globe Life Park, it looked like North Texas was on their way to victory, but a late opportunity from Damía Viader to Evan Conway saved a point for the Owls. Every contest between Union Omaha and North Texas has been a battle of will. They’ve all been fiercely contested and full of impassioned challenges.
This sounds like an insult, but I promise it isn’t: North Texas doesn’t have any stars that really shine in their squad. Instead, they truly work together as a team. They are very controlled, disciplined, and rooted in their fundamentals. When the defense wins the ball, they are meticulous in their effort to play out of the back, advance the ball up the field as a unit, and develop their chances after establishing themselves in the attacking third. North Texas likes to cross the ball into the box, but are just as happy attempting to dribble the ball through a couple of players. They do have two large weaknesses: defensive windows allowing opponents to shoot on goal and containing their emotions. Their defense has allowed far too many shots on goal, even shots in general. They haven’t quite figured out how to fill the windows, step up to shooters, and take a load off of the goalkeeper’s hands. As for their emotions: they ride their emotions too often and it gets them into trouble. While they don’t concede a lot of fouls, the fouls they do commit make it easy for the referees to hand out cards. I don’t anticipate too much feistiness from them tonight, though. They’ve already clinched the playoffs. There’s no need to get themselves in trouble and have players missing next week’s playoff matches.
Since Halloween is tomorrow, break out your costume a day early and head over to a Union Omaha watch party to join the costume contest. At Rathskellar, there will be prizes handed out during their costume party. The watch party will be outside, with some room inside available, as well. The “Who Gives A Hoot?” podcast has had some great banter, so make sure you are up to date on those episodes. Parliament will have merchandise available for purchase and there are some truly nice pieces to buy: scarves, stickers, buttons, etc. If you haven’t purchased your tickets to the November 13th match at Werner Park, make sure you do that. Don’t be afraid to spread the word to all of your friends, family members, neighbors, Uber/Lyft drivers, and DoorDashers. We need to fill Werner Park and make sure the Owls feel the love that night. Have fun at your watch parties. ¡Viva Búhos!
Who Gives A Hoot? 