Fate had cruel timing for Union Omaha fans as the Owls were knocked out of the playoffs by Charlotte Independence on Saturday night. Regulation and extra time weren’t enough to decide the victor in this outing, so the twisted machinations of the evening were settled by penalty kicks, where the Owls were defeated 4-5.
Image provided by Union Omaha Twitter: @Union_Omaha
On Saturday, Werner Park played host to the first USL League One playoff match since Union Omaha won the Final in 2021. As the gates opened, the stadium welcomed any and all fans willing to brave the freezing temperatures and over 2,200 fans did exactly that. Even with the frigid temps, the steady gusts, and chance of precipitation, Búhos Nation was loud from the opening whistle and the starting lineup matched that energy with their play in the first half.
For the first 45 minutes of the match, Union Omaha was the clear and obvious better side. The passes were crisp, players combined well to move up the field, and offensive opportunities were being created at a steady rate in the final third. The Owls, who usually rely on the wingbacks to streak up the sidelines, were unusually successful in their attempts to move the ball through the middle third of the field. That’s not to say Dion Acoff wasn’t included in the attacks because he was certainly utilized on a number of occasions.
Image provided by Union Omaha Twitter: @Union_Omaha
So many of Union Omaha’s scoring chances were services crossed into the box, but for every attempt on goal, Charlotte Independence goalkeeper Austin Pack was there to prove why he was a heavy contender for the Golden Glove award this season. Time and time again, Pack was seen going to ground, elevating to cover the corners, and providing that vital last line of defense for the Independence. At the end of the first half, the Owls had already logged 17 shots, 5 of which were on goal. With Union Omaha’s penchant for scoring second half goals, fans kept the faith for that elusive goal to happen in the second half.
With sides changed and tactics in mind, the second half whistle blew, commencing the proceedings. Fans were once again drawn to the edge of their seats in anticipation. One of Union Omaha’s adjustments in the second half seemed to draw offensive players higher up the field and drop Pedro Dolabella back farther, providing essential linkup play from the backline. The shift in personnel also created more space in the middle of the field for Dolabella to work with, resulting in more passing lanes, as well as the successful bait for Charlotte players to be drawn out of position. This resulted in a mismatch along the backline, which Union Omaha infiltrated over and over. Another result of this shift was less reliance on wingbacks Dion Acoff and Shaft Brewer Jr., keeping them home in case of a counter attack.
Seconds turned to minutes and the scoreless draw held true, even as the end of regulation time drew near. While the score remained the same, the opposite could be said of the support from the fans. The fervor inside Werner Park grew fierce with each attempt on goal. Frustration with each blocked shot on goal immediately turned into fans urging the team on. The vocal support raining onto the field continued to build and the team fed off the support. There may have been 2,200 fans inside the stadium, but the noise level was far greater than the physical presence. Passion met passion as fans kept the faith and the players fought until the end of regulation. For the second year in a row, Union Omaha faced extra time in a playoff match.
Image provided by Union Omaha Twitter: @Union_Omaha
Even in the first half of extra time, Union Omaha showed their superiority. In that first period of 15 minutes, the Owls carried an 83% passing accuracy rating, doubled Charlotte’s passing total, and took 5 shots. The home side was showing why they were the top-ranked team heading into the playoffs, but that cruel sense of humor from the metaphorical script writers continued to hold Union Omaha scoreless.
In the second half of extra time, Charlotte provided some heartstopping moments for the crowd. Both sides may have only had a single shot in the second period of 15 minutes, but Charlotte was able to find more touches in Union Omaha’s box. The further along the match proceeded, the louder the fans became, while at the same time resigning to the unfortunate fact that this match was likely to be settled from 12 yards away. Sure enough, the whistle blew and the final chapter of the match was about to be written.
As the teams built their penalty-shooting lineup, the referees and team captains stood at midfield to determine who would shoot first and which goal would be featured in the shootout. Ultimately, the goal in front of Section 119 and fans could be seen sprinting from one side of the stadium to the other. After fans had successfully filled the area, the atmosphere at that end of the field, directly behind the goal, was unlike anything ever seen at a match – dozens of flags waving, scarves held high, noisemakers going off, and even a handful of fans showed their mettle by removing the shirts and waving them in the air. The raucous atmosphere was a special moment to witness and completely matched the intensity of the penalty kicks.
When it was all said and done, Union Omaha fell short by one goal. The stunned silence washed over the fans as reality began to set in: Union Omaha’s season was over. The top-ranked club at the end of the regular season was finished. Emotions were very raw after the fact and it was clear to who all could see how much this match meant to the players.
Despite the season ending, there is so much to be proud of this season – the record-breaking turnaround in the middle of the season, all of the club and league records broken, the celebrations, and the continued legacy of this successful club. Let the offseason commence with the knowledge that this club, from the players to the technical staff to the front office to the ownership group, is going to do everything in their power to make 2024 even better. Always and forever…¡Viva Búhos!
Postmatch Quotes
General Manager Peter Marlette
Thoughts on the loss:
“You know, incredibly disappointed, but also really proud of this team. Playoffs are tough. This was the best team. I think this was the best team I’ve seen in this league and they deserved a different result tonight, but they played great for 120 minutes. Just couldn’t put one in the back of the net. So, it’s disappointing to go out that way, but this team, our coaching staff and our front office staff deserve all the credit in the world because it’s going to hurt for a little bit and then a week from now we’re going to realize what happened this season and it was it was pretty good.”
Looking back on the high moments of the season (setting club and league records, etc.):
“There are a lot of teams that I’ve been a part of over my life that, after that first third of the season, when you’re playing well and the results just aren’t going your way, that you pack it up. That you decide that’s the season. This team did the exact opposite of that. This team came together, they fought harder. They found a way to win. They found a way to keep those late goals out. Found a way to keep clean sheets. They kept a clean sheet for 120 minutes tonight. You know, those records reflect it. I don’t think teams are gonna pass that point total for a while. This league is only getting more competitive and the players and the level are getting better every year. This team, I think, in a few years will still be remembered as one of the better teams that has played in this league.”
Shoutout to the fans:
“Oh, tonight, I mean, I’ve been out in the crowd, just thanking everybody for the past half hour. There were, you know, roughly 2,000 people in the stands tonight and it was probably the loudest I’ve ever heard this stadium. It was. The conditions were horrible. It was freezing tonight and they went for 120 minutes, as loud as they possibly could and completely supported the players. You know, flocking behind the goal for the penalties was awesome. They deserved better, but it’s penalties, you know. It’s a coin flip. They did everything they could. I will say, with about 15 minutes left right before the second half of extra time, I texted a few supporters group members and people in the stands and said, “Players need you for the next 15 minutes. You can’t sit down. You need to be as loud as you can possibly be.” And they clearly read those texts because it only amplified in the stadium in those last 15 minutes. It was amazing.”
What Union Omaha fans can look forward to in the offseason:
“Well, one thing that we’ve done well is we’ve got a lot of players who were on this team tonight who are going to be back next year. We structured those contracts well and we created a place that players want to come and spend more than a year or however long, so I think the foundation is very strong. And you know, now we’ve got to go fill in the pieces that we’ll inevitably lose, whether it’s a player who’s going off to [USL] Championship, abroad, other leagues, whatever it may be. You don’t have a team that successful and not have some players garner some interest from higher levels. So, we’ll see, but the foundation is great. And listen, we’ve already got our list of players we’re gonna go after. So, frankly, we’ve had some conversations already, you know, and there’s gonna be a good team next year.”
Head Coach Dominic Casciato
General thoughts on the evening:
“Yeah. Tough one to take. The guys have been so good all year and to end it like that… I feel for the guys, you know. I feel for all the guys because I think we didn’t deserve to go out that way. [I’m] just really proud of all the guys’ efforts over the course of the year. Tonight, in a one-off game, anything can happen and we obviously didn’t take our chances. We were made to pay for it in the end. I am really proud of all the guys, all the effort that they’ve put forward, you know. Disappointing one, but we’ll brush ourselves off and then get ready for next year now.”
Thoughts on fluky nights such as this one:
“Sometimes we have these nights, right? Where the board doesn’t quite go your way or things don’t go in when you need them to go in and, you know, unfortunately it came tonight and cost us advancing on to the Final. So, disappointing, for sure, but that’s football.”
Insight to tactical changes made at halftime:
“Yeah, look, we know Charlotte were a dangerous counter attacking team, so we could bait them to come centrally and expose them in wide areas once they did come central. That was a good tactic for us to exploit. I think we did get in a lot and we just couldn’t take our chances.”
Shoutout to the fans:
“Look, I think we’ve got the best fans in the league. The support they’ve given us throughout the season, you know, not just when things were going well, when we were maybe having a few bumps in the road. It really means everything, right. Not just to me, but to the players, as well. And we really appreciate all of the support from the fans. The fact that they were out there tonight when it was freezing cold and urging us on. We’re really thankful for the support and can’t wait to see everyone next season.”
Team Captain JP Scearce
General thoughts:
“Yeah, it’s a tough one to swallow. I think we completely dominated that game from start to finish and it was just one of those [games] where we couldn’t find the back of the net. We couldn’t finish our chances and that’s what hurt us at the end of the day. I mean, the penalty shoot out was 50/50, so we can’t really rely on that to win the game. So yeah, it’s a bitter one.”
Words exchanged in the huddles throughout the match:
“Yeah, just a lot of encouragement from everyone. We knew we were the better team and it showed in the game. Yeah, it was just a lot of encouragement. Just to keep pushing, keep giving them everything, so that’s what we’re talking about.”
Shoutout to the fans:
“We appreciate the fans for their support throughout the year, obviously. Even when times were tough, they were still there backing us and tonight was an amazing turnout, considering the cold weather. Thank you to all the fans for the support throughout the season.”
Match Summary
Attendance: 2,217
Scoring Summary:
OMA PKs scored by #17 JP Scearce, #11 Joe Gallardo, #8 Joe Brito, and #6 Chavany Willis
CLT PKs scored by #8 Joel Johnson, #3 Héctor Acosta, #90 Khori Bennett, #14 Luis Alvarez, and #4 Nick Spielman
Substitution Summary:
71’: OMA – #11 Joe Gallardo replaces #70 Lagos Kunga
71’: OMA – #8 Joe Brito replaces #7 Noe Meza
73’: CLT – #12 Brad Dunwell replaces #11 Tresor Mbuyu
90’: OMA – #6 Chavany Willis replaces #20 Luis Gil
96’: CLT – #21 Rayan Djedje replaces #27 Bachir Ndiaye
96’: CLT – #2 Fabrice Ngah replaces #7 Avionne Flanagan
105’: OMA – #4 Luca Mastrantoio replaces #26 Dion Acoff
105’: CLT – #14 Luis Alvarez replaces #56 Gabriel Obertan
112’: OMA – #12 Eddie Gordon replaces #9 Pedro Dolabella
119’: CLT – #5 Shalom Dutey replaces #10 Miguel Ibarra
Discipline Summary:
21’: CLT – #4 Nick Spielman (Yellow card)
30’: OMA – #17 JP Scearce (Yellow card)
90’: OMA – #11 Joe Gallardo (Yellow card)
90’: CLT – #56 Gabriel Obertan (Yellow card)
102’: OMA – #95 Alexis Souahy (Yellow card)
104’: CLT – #12 Brad Dunwell (Yellow card)
Who Gives A Hoot? 