Union Omaha had to wait a week to open their season, but it was well worth it as the Owls picked up three important road points against a much improved Central Valley Fuego FC team. Unlikely goal-scorer Blake Malone and new signing Aarón Gómez opened their 2024 accounts, while a resolute defense withstood several late Fuego chances to hold on and take the win.
With Coach Dominic Casciato at home celebrating the birth of his son, Assistant Coach Ladulé Losarah led the Owls in a 3-5-2 formation against Jermaine Jones’ high-energy pressing team. It looked like the advantage would go to Fuego in the opening 15 minutes. Union Omaha wasn’t able to get much going through the midfield, and a couple of errors in the back went fortunately unpunished as the players tried to settle into the new look. While neither team was able to take any real opportunities, there was a nervous feeling to start the match.
That feeling went away in the 18’ when Blake Malone slotted past Carlos Avilez on a well taken corner. After a good physical play by Missael Rodríguez to win a second ball in the opposing half, Will Perkins threaded a central pass to Steevan Dos Santos who turned his defender and found a brilliant through ball to Pedro Dolabella. His shot went just wide of the net, but took a slight deflection that won the corner. Joe Gallardo then sent a pinpoint ball into Steevan Dos Santos who headed down and teed up Malone for the first goal of the season.
Things begin to open up for the Owls, seemingly settled in by the opener. More meaningful possession through the midfield and a rise in physicality saw Union Omaha find a couple of really good breakaway chances foiled either by good defensive recovery by Fuego, or shots pushed just wide of the post. The openings were there, and they continued to press their advantage.
Fuego wouldn’t go away though, as they continued to use pace and attack down the right side searching for an equalizer. Opportunities were there, but the Owl midfield did all the work needed to supplement the three-man back line. While Fuego’s first touch often let them down, Union Omaha were often quick to recover against the counter-attack, and did very well to keep numbers in the box while forcing the Fuego forwards wide.
However, Fuego’s first really good chance would come in the 42’ when a slip in the box opened up a wide open shot on target. Taking the ball off a throw in around midfield, Moe Espinoza was able to find a teammate on the right wing quickly and force the Owls back on their heels. They responded well, but the unfortunate slip opened up a centered pass to Shavon John-Brown unmarked from about 12 yards out. An alert Will Perkins was able to get in front of the shot and deflect it out for a corner that was cleared, ending the danger for the moment.
The Owls would go into halftime up 0-1, and looking to make better on the chances they had in the first half. They registered 11 shots, but put only one of those on target. However, their defense managed to hold Fuego to only one shot and none on target. There was still a feeling that Fuego could still prove dangerous, so Union Omaha would have to capitalize on their 54% possession and finish off more of the chances than they had done in the first half.
This would prove true as once again Fuego came out with a high energy and had the better of the run of play in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Their press was effective in winning the ball back in good areas, but as in the first half, their passing and first touches weren’t clean enough to take advantage, and the Owl defense continued to regroup well and prevent too many clear chances. Union Omaha was still able to press well when needed, and did just enough to hold back the assault.
The Owls’ resolve would pay off in the 62’ minute when Aarón Gómez, having subbed on at halftime for Rodriguez, found himself in the right place to tap in the second goal of the night. A beautiful pass down the right side set up Will Perkins to run forward past his defender. His cross was long, but corralled by Pedro Dolabella who took on his man and found his way just inside the 18-yard box. A lofted cross to the back post was kept in by Steevan Dos Santos who tallied his second assist of the night when his header fell to a waiting Gómez. The move was against the run of play, but they all count as the visitors’ lead was doubled.
The goal only seemed to make Fuego even more determined, and they didn’t have to wait long. Shortly after the goal, Fuego responded with a well worked shot that challenged Rashid Nuhu to keep his clean sheet. In the 63’ a well worked pass from the left found Omar Lemus with a lot of space and options on the right side. He dribbled around a couple of Owl defenders and let off a shot from the top of the box that looked destined for the bottom right corner. Nuhu dove and managed to hang on to the shot, averting the danger for the moment.
Just four minutes later, Fuego would find another great chance. Working the ball on the left side, Ashkanon Apollov managed to get a cross off against three defenders that found its way to a Fuego forward who couldn’t quite get a good header on the ball. Will Perkins’ clearance attempt fell to an onrushing Jose Carrera-Garcia who rocketed a first-time shot toward goal. The ball was deflected, but fell to Lemus on the right side who sent a laser first-time toward goal that Nuhu was barely able to keep out. The rebound fell just in front of him, and there were calls for a penalty when the keeper’s attempt to recover the ball also made contact with Josh Fawole as he tried to score the rebound. The referee said to play on, and the attack was defused.
The pressure would eventually prove too much for the defense, and in the 72’, Fuego found their opener. Breaking the defense from midfield, Carrera-Garcia found a running John-Brown who split the defenders and barely managed to keep himself onside. Receiving the ball at the top of the box with only Nuhu to beat, he took a great first touch and calmly put the ball home from just inside the area. It was a goal that seemed to be coming, and it set up a very nervy final 20 minutes for the Owls.
Empowered by their goal, Fuego continued to push forward against a tiring Union Omaha defense. The final 20 minutes plus added time saw chance after chance for the hosts, including a well saved 30-yard shot from Carrera-Garcia on a ball that the Owls just couldn’t seem to get clear.
The Owl defense stayed strong, however, through five minutes of added time and a seemingly unending string of attacks and corners that could have seen the hosts equalize at the death. As the final whistle blew, a sigh of relief paired with a cry of victory as Union Omaha started their fifth season right where they left off, with a 1-2 victory and 3 early points.
Union Omaha managed only the one shot in the second half, and finished the night with 12 shots and 2 on target. Fuego upped their game as expected leading to a total of 9 shots, 4 on target with 3 of those saved by Nuhu.
The tale of two halves continued with possession and passing stats as Fuego won both getting 61% possession (total 53% on the night) and finding their way to 80% passing after the break for a 78% total on the night. The Owls only managed a 66% passing accuracy in the second half (73% total) put off by the high energy and pressing from the hosts.
Though there were several good performances on the night, and a very hard-working defensive effort from the midfield, Steevan Dos Santos would take home Man of the Match with his physical hold up play and aerial prowess that led to assists on both goals for the Búhos.
Next up for Union Omaha will be the US Open Cup match against Western Massachusetts Pioneers in Ludlow, MA on March 21 at 6:30 pm CT. The USOC matches this year can be streamed on USLSoccer.com.
Random Facts:
- This was Blake Malone’s first USL goal (League One or Championship) in 20 appearances dating back to 2018. He scored 4 goals in 45 appearances with MLSNXT PRO side Colorado Rapids 2 before signing with Union Omaha this year.
- Shavon John-Brown’s goal was the first goal ever scored by Fuego at home against the Owls, a span of 4 matches since 2022.
- Overall, Union Omaha lead the series 6-0-1 with an 11-4 aggregate score.
- Dating back to last season, the Owls are unbeaten in their last 17 with a record of 15-0-2 (PK losses count as draws officially).
- This is only the second time in 5 seasons Union Omaha has won their season opener. The last time was April 24, 2021 with a 2-0 victory over Tormenta. They still haven’t lost an opener, going 2-0-3 in their five seasons.
Key Events:
18’ – Union Omaha Goal – Malone 0-1 (Dos Santos Assist)
33’ – Fuego FC Yellow Card – John-Brown (Dissent)
45’ – Union Omaha Yellow Card – PC Giro (Foul)
46’ – Union Omaha Sub – Rodriguez Out, Gómez In
46’ – Fuego FC Subs – Mendiola, Heckenberg Out – Fawole, Carrera-Garcia In
47’ – Fuego FC Yellow Card – Carrera-Garcia (Foul)
62’ – Union Omaha Goal – Gómez 0-2 (Dos Santos Assist)
71’ – Fuego FC Goal – John-Brown 1-2 (Carrera-Garcia Assist)
73’ – Union Omaha Sub – Perkins Out, Mechack In
80’ – Fuego FC Sub – Espinoza Out, Lawal In
83’ – Union Omaha Yellow Card – Mechack (Dissent)
84’ – Fuego FC Yellow Card – Lawal (Dissent)
87’ – Union Omaha Sub – Gallardo Out, Holt In
90’+2 – Fuego FC Sub – Vasquez Out, Ruelas In
90’+4 – Union Omaha Sub – Dolabella Out, Knapp In
Who Gives A Hoot? 