Chattanooga Red Wolves (12-7-11, 4th Place) vs Union Omaha (10-13-7, 5th Place)
All competitions: CHA (12-7-12) vs OMA (14-13-8)
CHI Memorial Stadium – East Ridge, Tennessee
6:30 PM (CST) ESPN+
Happy Quarterfinals Day, Búhos Nation! Today, the Owls travel to Tennessee to take on the Chattanooga Red Wolves in the first round of the 2022 USL League One Playoffs. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30PM and the match will be broadcasted on ESPN+.
You see those regular season records, places, and other mentionings above? Right here and right now, they mean nothing. What happens from here on out is entirely dependent on who wins, who wants it more. All of the trials and all of the triumphs this season have culminated into the meaningful match we all intend on watching with bated breath. These single elimination matches have that spectacle which ignites the fervor of fan bases. Luckily for Union Omaha, there’s no shortage of that in Omaha. Remember those speakers from the movie, “Spinal Tap”? Yeah, on a scale of 1 to 10, tonight’s match will also go to 11.
Before this season started, Union Omaha had never won a match in Chattanooga, let alone defeated the Red Wolves in general. Think of the great players that have come through Union Omaha in its short existence. None of those players could combine to pull off a victory. This year, the team was able to beat Chattanooga twice – once in Chattanooga, then again at home. Across the three matches these two clubs played this season, Union Omaha remained victorious twice and drawing once, outscoring the Red Wolves 4-2 across all three matches.
These two clubs match up very well, too. On one hand, Chattanooga has the second-highest regular season goals this season with 52, but Union Omaha has allowed the fewest goals throughout the regular season. Chattanooga has Juan Galindrez, the striker who leads the club in all-time goals, led the team with 13 goals in the regular season, and led the league in goals per 90 minutes with 0.73. Did he score against Union Omaha this season? I’ll save you the time of looking up that stat: No. Sure, Chattanooga has a +4 goal differential against this year’s playoff teams, but not because of Union Omaha. Their goal differential against the Owls this season was -2. For every stat that elevates the Red Wolves, the Owls have one that buries them. That’s how good tonight’s match will be.
Another factor that favors Union Omaha: set pieces. Chattanooga has conceded the most fouls in the league with 465, second most yellow cards with 94, and tied Charlotte by conceding the most penalties in the regular season with 7. Think of how many goals Union Omaha has had off of set pieces (corner kicks, indirect and direct kicks, and penalty kicks) this season. Union Omaha’s midfielder JP Scearce is salivating at the opportunity to get his head on more services from Joe Brito, Daltyn Knutson, and everyone else taking those kicks. Sure, Chattanooga’s fouls could disrupt the flow and rhythm of Union Omaha’s offense, but Union Omaha will gladly take a set piece opportunity to put this match away, especially if they’re able to put themselves in favorable territory for those set pieces. Hook, line, and sinker. As long as the Owls don’t let the fouls get to their head, they can let them happen all night long and take advantage of those opportunities. Union Omaha’s defensive discipline will frustrate the Red Wolves, but the Owls will smile at the expense of Chattanooga’s undisciplined side.
Tonight is one of those nights where no bars, restaurants, or watch parties should have chairs present. This is one of those matches where you need to be standing on your feet, cheering on the players, and supporting your team for the full 90 minutes. It’s been a long season, filled with ups and downs, but tonight is the next step in the journey for the Owls to defend the star and end this season on a high. The past is in the past. Here and now, this team has unfinished business and it starts in Chattanooga. There’s no such thing as settling anymore. Win and you advance. There are no other options. And dammit, I wanna win. Wear the only colors that matter, raise your scarves, yell like hell, and let’s cheer them on to victory tonight. Up the Owls, always and forever. As always…¡Viva Búhos!
Who Gives A Hoot? 