Union Omaha rewarded the fans inside Werner Park who stayed until the final whistle, as Alexis Souahy scored in second-half stoppage time to give the Owls the 3-2 win over Tormenta FC.
It was a beautiful evening in Omaha and eager fans filled Werner Park, anticipating a great match between the two clubs. The home crowd reached a season-high attendance record of 3,573 people and they brought the energy with them, too. There were plenty of STEM-night related booths and activities keeping fans entertained before kickoff, but once the opening whistle blew, all eyes were focused on the playing field.
Tormenta FC opened the match with the kickoff and immediately looked to test the Union Omaha backline while trying to include forwards Matheus Cassini and Kazaiah Sterling in the attack. Ultimately, the attack was thwarted and Union Omaha was able to try their hand at threatening Tormenta’s midfield and backline, which included former Owls John Murphy Jr. and Daltyn Knutson.
Union Omaha’s first goal came in historic fashion. Just weeks after the club released a video of Head Coach Dominic Casciato putting the league’s officials on notice for an apparent lack of penalty calls this season, the Owls were awarded their first penalty attempt of the season. Pedro Dolabella applied fierce pressure on Tormenta’s defense and forced a turnover mere steps away from teammate Steevan Dos Santos. As he made his way toward the ball to shield it and secure possession, Tormenta defender Chris Heckenberg got a piece of Steevan’s foot, sending him to the ground. The center referee wasted little time in assessing the situation and awarding Union Omaha their first penalty of the season. Tormenta goalkeeper and team captain Pablo Jara dove to his right while Union Omaha team captain JP Scearce sent the ball straight down the middle for the early lead. The successful penalty was Scearce’s fourth goal of the season, second highest on the team and fifth goal all-time against Tormenta FC. The Owls would carry that lead into the halftime break.
Union Omaha owned possession on the ground and challenges in the air during the first half, earning 64% and 63% respectively. The Owls threatened Tormenta early and often throughout the half by virtue of 5 corners and 15 crosses. Those threats against the visitor looked even worse when considering each of Union Omaha’s five shots took place inside the box. The Owls offense looked more organized and efficient thanks to team captain JP Scearce and his 89% passing accuracy inside the opposing half. While Scearce was busy in the middle of the field, defender Dion Acoff was creating enough havoc along the flank, sending in two successful crosses and creating two chances, as well. Those crosses and chances created were all the more valuable because forward Steevan Dos Santos won all four of his aerial challenges in the first half. Defensively, Union Omaha was able to prevent Tormenta from taking a single shot for 37 straight minutes in the first half. Even though the team only had a one-goal lead, they were clearly clicking on offense and driven to keep the scoreboard operator busy.
With the Owls starting the second half with possession, they looked to double their lead early on, taking their first shot on goal within five minutes of starting the second half. Union Omaha doubled their lead in the 50th minute when midfielder Joe Gallardo crossed an absolutely perfect ball to Steevan Dos Santos, who didn’t even have to move his feet to head the ball into the back of the net. The goal was the fourth goal for Dos Santos, tying him with Scearce for second-highest goalscorer on the team. Gallardo’s masterful cross was his first assist of the season.
Tormenta would start to make things interesting, with goals in the 56th and 77th minute, courtesy of Nick Akoto and Mukwelle Akale, respectively. As Union Omaha started to transition into a five-back system, Tormenta started pushing more numbers forward. The tactic paid off and the two sides would spend the remaining moments battling for all of the glory.
After the fourth official signaled three minutes of stoppage time, all signs pointed to the sides sharing a point, but Union Omaha’s never-say-die attitude lifted them just when they needed it. For the second time in less than two weeks, Union Omaha found the match winner in second-half stoppage time. In the second minute of stoppage time, the Owls were awarded a corner kick and despite Tormenta’s many efforts to clear the ball, Union Omaha had players positioned perfectly to receive the clearances and force the ball back into the box. After midfielder Conor Doyle received one of those very clearances, he lobbed a ball into the box for Steevan Dos Santos, who headed the ball down toward defender Alexis Souahy and his one-time side volley found the net. The goal was Souahy’s first of the season and Dos Santos’s first assist, as well.
The victory and valuable three points lifts Union Omaha to 28 points in the league table, keeps them in 6th place for the second straight week, and puts them only a point behind fifth-placed Greenville Triumph. In Week 21, Union Omaha will have two home matches: a Wednesday night clash against Lexington Sporting Club and a Saturday night match against One Knox. Both matches at Werner Park will kickoff at 7PM CT and will also be broadcasted on ESPN+. Wednesday’s promotional theme is Women in Sports Night and Saturday’s theme will be Educational Outreach, presented by Bellevue University.
Random Stats
- The victory extends the on-going all-time undefeated streak against Tormenta. In nine all-time contests, Union Omaha has six victories and three draws.
- The victory also gives Union Omaha the regular season series victory after defeating Tormenta in Week 15 by a final score of 2-0.
- Goalkeeper Rashid Nuhu earned his 34th all-time victory, second only to Richmond Kickers goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald.
- Union Omaha has not lost at home since May 27th, during their 1-2 loss in a Week 11 matchup against Forward Madison.
- This was the 13th match in which Union Omaha never trailed for a single minute of the match.
Postmatch Quotes
Head Coach Dominic Casciato
General thoughts on the night:
“Yeah, it feels good. You know, I’m a little bit disappointed that we threw away the two-goal lead. We were looking pretty comfortable at that stage and then they got a goal from a deflection. We kind of let them into the box a little bit too easily. Then the second one, again, I think we switched off a little bit on the throw-in, so there’s definitely some areas for us to improve on, but it’s great to keep going. It’s great to show that fight and that spirit, that belief to get the winner at the end. It’s a great feeling and sets us up nicely for Wednesday.”
On playing in front of the season’s largest home crowd:
“Yeah, you could definitely feel it. It was almost like the crowd sucked the goal in at the end. We’re looking forward to another big crowd Wednesday night to help us get over the line again.”
On Wednesday’s match against Lexington Sporting Club:
“I think we’re all looking forward to it. I think if you look at last Saturday, when we played Lexington at their place, the first half was not us. We came out with a lack of focus, a lack of intensity, and a lack of energy. I think the guys showed tonight that they wanted to put that right. We’re looking forward to that game.”
On Union Omaha’s position in the league table:
“We’ve spoken about this since Day One of the preseason: getting better and better and learning from every experience we have, every training session, every game. We’re just trying to get better and I think tonight is another example of that. We don’t want to get too distracted with the table. If we keep performing, keep working the way that we can, playing together and working together, results will come. Where we finish will be where we finish. So pleased with the guys tonight. They deserve to celebrate a little bit and we’re looking forward to Wednesday.”
Team Captain and goal scorer JP Scearce
General thoughts on the night:
“It was obviously a great performance. Probably made it a little too close for them, but [I’m] glad that Alexis could put the game away for us. This whole week, we’ve just been talking about this game being a response from last weekend and I think we did that.
On scoring the penalty kick:
“This whole season, we’ve been kind of struggling to get calls our way, especially penalties, and Steevan was able to draw one. I’m always practicing. I’m always taking penalties in training and being ready whenever there is one, so I stepped up and took the opportunity.
On Union Omaha’s position in the league table:
“We have to take it a game at a time. These next two games at home are really important for us to keep climbing the table. Hopefully we’ll keep getting results to reach the top.”
On Wednesday’s match against Lexington Sporting Club:
“I think everyone is really looking forward to that game on Wednesday, considering the result last weekend, so I know all of the boys will be ready. We’re all looking forward to alright.”
Goal scorer Alexis Souahy
General thoughts on the night:
“I’m feeling great. Felt good to get the winning goal and, most importantly, to get the win. It’s very important for us to get back on track in this run of three games in seven days.”
On the defensive battles throughout the match:
“We know they have guys that performed well over the last season and this season as well, so it was a great matchup. I wish we could have got the clean sheet. We are going to look back at it and I think we can do better there, but I think the game was there for us to close earlier.”
On scoring the game-winner:
“It feels great. I mean, it’s been a long time coming. It’s finally here. I’ve been looking to get my first goal this year, so there’s no better way to get it than to get that late in a game to win it.”
On Wednesday’s match against Lexington Sporting Club:
“This is the team we lost to last weekend 3-0, so I think our responsibility is to respond to that and come out with better energy, with better focus, and come out with a better result.”
Pedro Dolabella
General thoughts on the night:
“I’m very pleased with the result in the end. You know, very happy to get away with these three points after losing last weekend and happy to move forward with the team.”
On being back in the squad:
“I’m happy to be back in the squad. You know, after a little injury on my shoulder, but the guys were able to pick me back up and happy to be getting fitter and fitter and help the team.”
On having a great performance on his birthday:
“It was a good performance with the help for Alexis to get the winning goal and JP and Steevan to get on the scoresheet. So, obviously a very important win, especially on my birthday. I’m happy to get this gift. It was very good.”
On Wednesday’s match against Lexington Sporting Club:
“Today, we’ll celebrate this win, but it’s a quick turnaround. You know how things change quickly in this league. The next game is the most important. Tomorrow, we’re back and focusing on the game Wednesday so we can get another three points and hopefully end this week with nine points.”
Match Summary
Attendance: 3,573
Goal Summary:
31’: OMA – #17 JP Scearce converts the PK
50’: OMA – #10 Steevan Dos Santos (assisted by #11 Joe Gallardo)
56’: TRM – #14 Nick Akoto (assisted by #9 Kazaiah Sterling)
77’: TRM – #7 Mukwelle Akale (assisted by #8 Pedro Fonseca)
90’+2: OMA – #95 Alexis Souahy (assisted by #10 Steevan Dos Santos)
Substitution Summary:
45’: TRM – #5 Tobias Otieno replaces #6 John Murphy Jr.
45’: TRM – #8 Pedro Fonseca replaces #17 Elijah Amo
45’: TRM – #16 Davey Mason replaces #11 Jackson Khoury
64’: TRM – #7 Mukwelle Akale replaces #10 Matheus Cassini
64’: OMA – #8 Joe Brito replaces #9 Pedro Dolabella
64’: OMA – #28 Shaft Brewer Jr. replaces #26 Dion Acoff
70’: OMA – #20 Luis Gil replaces #11 Joe Gallardo
70’: TRM – #45 Kingsford Adjei replaces #21 Chris Heckenberg
88’: OMA – #44 Alex Steinwascher replaces #7 Noe Meza
Discipline Summary:
26’: OMA – #4 Luca Mastrantonio (Yellow card)
29’: TRM – #21 Chris Heckenberg (Yellow card)
30’: TRM – #12 Deshawon Nembhard (Yellow card)
41’: TRM – #6 John Murphy Jr. (Yellow card)
58’: TRM – #14 Nick Akoto (Yellow card)
63’: OMA – #17 JP Scearce (Yellow card)
77’: TRM – #16 Davey Mason (Yellow card)
Who Gives A Hoot? 