Union Omaha’s fifth season begins Saturday evening with a trip to Fresno, California to take on Central Valley Fuego. Both teams entered the season having to rebuild their cores for different reasons; Union Omaha’s offseason saw seven of their primary players move on to new clubs, five of whom will be playing their 2024 seasons at USL Championship clubs. As for Fuego, most of their core was replaced after the club hired new head coach Jermaine Jones. Only three players from Fuego’s starting XI in their season opening 2-1 victory at South Georgia Tormenta were returning players from Fuego’s 2023 side, which finished bottom of the table.
Fuego got off to a hot start in their opener, taking advantage of a Tormenta backline that played fairly high. They valued pace over possession in the first half, scoring both of their goals before the break. There’s obviously no look from UO in 2024 to reference, but if the end of last year is any hint they may give a similar look with the backline. The big difference, however, would be having two center defensive midfielders available to plug the gaps. With no match the following weekend, and an away trip to USL2 side Western Mass Pioneers in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup the following Thursday, look for UO to play their strongest available lineup, with the only considerations being player health.
Both teams are likely to have different means of motivation. UO ended 2023 without losing in regulation in 15 consecutive matches, going back to July; so having that impressive of a streak without ending the season lifting the cup should be fuel for all of the returning players. Fuego lost all three matches to UO last year, including two at home. Even with a heavily rotated side it’s safe to assume Fuego’s front office might share with the new technical staff the importance of impressing against a side like Union Omaha.
Union Omaha brought in four signings 29 years-old or older this offseason; Aarón Gómez, Mechack Jérôme, Nortei Nortey and PC. Expect all of them to have an impact this weekend, including the possibility that all four of them are part of the starting XI. With the exception of Gómez, these signings lean towards a more defensive philosophy this season, at least that’s where the veterans are expected to make their contributions.
The first game of the season always brings some baggage with it. There are so many things currently unknown, and coaches will still be tinkering with lineups, tactics and philosophies. Though unlike seasons past, Saturday is game 1 of only 22, as the in-season tournament has created a balanced schedule for USL League One’s regular season this year. Will games like Saturday be prioritized by the technical staff? Does eight teams making the playoffs this year take some of that pressure off? Only time will help answer these questions, as Union Omaha’s fifth season is set to get underway.
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