Union Omaha gave its fans, all 3,375 of them in attendance, plenty of reasons to celebrate on Saturday evening. Búhos Nation was able to get a look at the 2021 USL League One Championship rings, applaud the 2021 players who received their rings last night, watch as the Championship flag was raised, and then watch as the Owls defeated Central Valley Fuego FC 3-0. The winds of change were blowing fiercely, literally and figuratively, throughout Werner Park as the Owls seemed to take a giant step forward in their development as a team.
Entering the match, the Owls had already played four matches and left many fans asking questions. After a week in which the team was able to defeat MLS-club Chicago Fire in dramatic fashion and then follow it up with a strong win against Central Valley Fuego FC, many questions are as extinguished as both the Fire and Fuego.
The first half was a true test of physicality, as Union Omaha pressed repeatedly into Fuego’s half of the field. By halftime, the two sides combined for 17 fouls and 2 yellow cards, which would come into play again in the second half. Mother Nature helped move the ball into Fuego’s half, as wind gusts near 30 miles per hour were recorded in the area. While the Owls were able to take advantage of the gusts by creating opportunities in Fuego’s half, they were unable to record a single shot on frame. Union Omaha did have five key passes in the attacking third, which allowed them to continuously threaten Fuego’s goal. Once the halftime whistle blew, the scoreless sides recessed to their locker rooms to prepare for the decisive second half.
Despite having the wind in their face for the second half, Union Omaha was able to break the deadlock early. In the 48th minute, Union Omaha forward Hugo Kametani was able to steal the ball inside of Fuego’s half, carry the ball to just outside of the penalty area, and unleash a shot to the back door. After several missed opportunities leading up to this point, fortune finally favored the Japanese graduate from University of Nebraska-Omaha, as the ball bounced off the far post and rested itself in the goal.
The home fans would have to wait until the 90th minute before seeing another goal. After a defensive header was cleared to Union Omaha midfielder JP Scearce, he quickly head the ball to fellow midfielder Noe Meza. With the immediate recognition of forward Kemal Malcolm’s opportunity, Meza fed a long ball into Fuego’s half and sent Malcolm on a fast break. The Jamaican international was able to calmly collect the ball and feed it to the back of the net, doubling Union Omaha’s lead in the process. Malcolm wasted very little time in making an impact on the match, scoring only four minutes after being subbed onto the field.
Another second half sub, Union Omaha midfielder Giovanni Montesdeoca, would make the most of his time on the field, as well. In the 90+3’ minute of the match, Montesdeoca had the ball at his feet inside of Fuego’s penalty area. During his scramble to find the best window of opportunity for a shot, he was pulled down by Fuego defender Sergio Chavez. The foul earned Chavez his second yellow card and an early shower. Stepping up to take the penalty kick was Scearce. With so many Owls having already taken a penalty kick this week, it was Scearce’s turn to prove that he could handle the pressure, as well. Scearce’s kick went to the Fuego goalkeepers left and added yet another insurance policy to Union Omaha’s victory.
The victory propelled Union Omaha up the USL League One standings from 7th place up to 2nd place. Union Omaha’s next match will be on April 30th at 6 PM (CST), as the Owls visit Charlotte Independence.
Central Valley Fuego FC’s loss saw them drop to a six-way tie for third place, based on points. Fuego stays on the road in the Midwest this week, visiting Forward Madison on Saturday, April 30th at 5 PM (CST).
Scoring Summary:
48’ – OMA: Hugo Kametani, unassisted
90’ – OMA: Kemal Malcolm, assisted by Noe Meza
90+4’ – OMA: JP Scearce (penalty kick)
Substitutions:
63’ – OMA: Giovanni Montesdeoca replaced Dion Acoff
65’ – CV: Christian Chaney replaced Ozzie Ramos
66’ – CV: Anthony Velarde replaced Michael Hornsby
66’ – CV: Diego Casillas replaced Maximiliano Schenfeld
77’ – OMA: Gabriel Claudio replaced Emir Alihodžić
77’ – OMA: Eddie Gordon replaced Joseph Brito
86’ – OMA: Kemal Malcolm replaced Hugo Kametani
Discipline Summary:
15’ – CV: Sergio Chavez (yellow card)
17’ – CV: Ozzie Ramos (yellow card)
63’ – CV: Nathan Smith (yellow card)
90+3’ – CV: Sergio Chavez (2nd yellow card, red card)
90+4’ – CV: Diego Casillas (yellow card)
Who Gives A Hoot? 