Who Gives A Hoot?

Gallardo Hat Trick Powers Union Omaha To USOC Second Round

30-degree weather, a swirling wind, and a passionate home crowd were not enough to cool off Union Omaha as they dominated USL 2 side Western Massachusetts Pioneers in the First Round of the US Open Cup. Joe Gallardo got his first hat trick for the Owls, while Steevan Dos Santos found the back of the net for the first time this year. At the other end Rashid Nuhu was able to keep what might have been the easiest clean sheet of his career in the 4-0 victory.

Coach Casciato made two changes to the starting XI from last weekend’s victory at Central Valley Fuego, opting to put Mechack Jérôme on in place of Marco Milanese and Aarón Gómez in place of PC Giro. The bench also saw the highly anticipated return of Ryen Jiba after a year in the Minnesota United system.

Union Omaha kicked off the first half into the wind, but that didn’t seem to stop them from being able to hold possession and string together several good passes together. The Pioneers seemed content to sit back and allow the Owls possession until it was time for a counter attack. That defensive plan lasted all of three minutes as Union Omaha’s quickness and physicality led to Joe Gallardo’s first goal.

After holding off two attackers and winning a throw in on the right side, Steevan dos Santos received the ball just outside the corner of the Pioneers’ box, he again held off a crowd of defenders to find Aarón Gómez with a ball to the top of the box. The defense got caught completely bunched on the right side and had no one to account for Gallardo streaking down the left side of the box. A perfect leading pass from Gómez found Gallardo’s foot which then struck the ball first time off an unfortunate Abdel Talabi and past a helpless Gíanluca Cersosimo for the 1-0 lead.

A little more than two minutes later Gómez came inches from doubling the lead, but was kept out by the crossbar. Union Omaha’s press forced a mistake in the Western Massachusetts half leaving Nortei Nortey with room to run as the ball fell to him. He was stopped just at the top of the box, but the defender’s toe got only enough of the ball to tee up Gómez who released a cannon of a shot that beat the keeper, but rang loudly off the crossbar and back to the defense who dodged a major bullet early.

Play continued mostly like this in the early stages of the match. Western Massachusetts managed to hold the ball more, but couldn’t manage to find a way forward either being out-bodied or out-paced to the second and third balls by a disciplined Union Omaha defense. With the Pioneer attack stalling out and not providing much movement, the Owls continued to press their advantage and challenge for a second goal. Using quick runs, accurate long balls, and effective play switching, they created several opportunities for Dos Santos, Nortel, and Will Perkins. These attacks forced difficult saves, but for all their shots, Omaha couldn’t slot past a now settled in Cerosimo.

In the 38’, Western Massachusetts finally got their first half opportunities to strike at goal. Following a bad touch by Gallardo at midfield, Kalid Rose took the ball off of him and started running toward the goal. With support on his right, he attempted a through ball that would have put Ben Awashie in one-on-one against Rashid Nuhu. Quick instincts by Luca Mastrantonio got just enough of a foot on it, however, and allowed Union Omaha to reset.

They didn’t get to rest for long, though, as a minute later Kerman Sukhia Criado would create the best chance of the first half for the hosts. A quick counter found Criado running down the left side and beating the physical defense of Will Perkins. Moving back toward the box, the Pioneers had a wide open Tomás Duben waiting for the cutback pass, but the ball was popped up just enough for the wind to hold it aloft where Gómez was waiting to intercept it. A clearance by Nortey saw the danger averted.

The half would end shortly after this, but not before Kalid Rose started to show the frustration growing. A late challenge on Pedro Dolabella included a bit too much elbow for the referee’s liking. Rose got a yellow card for his troubles, and the ref got an earful from the passionate home crowd.

Despite the seeming Union Omaha domination in possession, the halftime stats revealed that Western Massachussetts had won the possession battle with 55%. However, none of their possession was that creative as they didn’t register a single shot. The Owls took their 45% possession and turned it into 8 shots, of which 6 were on target. The long balls, switches of play, and second balls were asking questions that, up to that point, only the Pioneer keeper had any real answers for.

The second half saw Western Massachusetts start to bring some more energy as they pressed up the pitch more than they had done in the first half. The resulting play opened up some attacking opportunities, but good keeper play or timely defense prevented any real threat to Nuhu’s goal.

Despite the increase in pressing, it was a mistake from the Pioneers that put Gómez through for a wonderful effort on goal. Attempting to play out of the back, Cerosimo sent a pass to Awashie’s feet that took a bad bounce. With an Owl quickly on him, Awashie attempted to play it back to one of his defenders. The pass was errant and quickly picked up by Gómez who was through on a charging keeper. The shot was brilliantly saved and a rebound shot blocked by the now converging defense to keep the lead at one, but it was simply foreshadowing of what the remaining time would bring.

Union Omaha would take more of the possession, lock down the back line, and control the midfield for the next 20 minutes. Shots continued to fly at Cerosimo, who was up to the task of keeping them out.

That is until the 67’ minute when a great run by Dolabella set up Dos Santos and put him in position to slot home the second goal of the night. Playing out of the back, Luca Mastrantonio spotted Dolabella making a run and being played onside by a defender. Fighting the wind, Mastrantonio put a ball that bounced up in front of Dolabella, who fought off his defender and just managed to head the ball down to a supporting Dos Santos. Dos Santos then took a couple of touches while holding off a defender to then put the ball into the net for a 2-0 lead.

The second goal caused the floodgates to open some as only six minutes later Gallardo would get his second of the night. Receiving the ball back from the midfield, Mastrantonio again spotted a runner ready to slash behind the Pioneer defense. The pass was well placed for Gallardo to take in stride past his marker and toward the keeper. One touch off the bounce was all he needed before rifling a shot to Cerosimo’s near side and in the top corner to make it 3-0.

Finally, in the 83’, Western Massachusetts managed to get a shot away. A cross from Ryen Jiba was cleared away by the Pioneer defense and started a counter attack down the left side. The ball found its way to Juri Schlingmann who, though outnumbered, took on his man to release a right footed shot from just outside the box. The shot, however, would never trouble Nuhu as Blake Malone was able to hang with the attacker and blocked the shot before it ever went anywhere. That would be the host’s only shot of the evening.

In the 87’, talented teenager Mark Bronnik would come on to make his Union Omaha debut, and it wouldn’t be long before he made his impact. Two minutes after coming on, Bronnik received the ball from a broken Pioneer attack and pressed forward from midfield. Dribbling toward two defenders, he picked out Gallardo with a pass to the right side that took the attacker into the Western Massachusetts box. With the central defenders opting to play for the cross, Gallardo took on the tight angle with another rifle shot past Cerosimo at the near post. The Owls celebrated heartily as the ball hit the back of the net securing Gallardo’s first hat trick with Union Omaha.

By the time the full time whistle sounded, the dominant play on the field was reflected in the scoreline. A fully deserved 4-0 on cold Northeast night saw the Owls through to the Second Round of the US Open Cup.

Final stats told the story pretty well. Despite 51% possession, the Pioneers managed one shot, and none that made it past the defenders. Their passing accuracy was a respectable 81%, however a 13% dribble success rate and a lack of movement from their attackers doomed them to be completely overwhelmed by the Union Omaha attack.

Meanwhile, the Owls ended the game with 20 shots, 13 of them on target, and 15 of those shots from inside the box. 83% passing accuracy and 12 interceptions kept them in control of the midfield, and their pace and physicality were too much for the USL 2 side.

Without a doubt, Joe Gallardo was the man of the match. Aside from his 3 goals, his movement caused chaos in the Pioneer back line all night. He finished with 74% passing accuracy, 2 key passes, and a 9.9 rating on the night.

With that, Union Omaha will find itself at their home away from home, Caniglia Field, against our Interstate Frenemies Des Moines Menace on Wednesday, April 3 for the next round of the US Open Cup. Before then, the Owls travel to Chattanooga to resume USL League One action against the Red Wolves on Saturday, March 30.

Random Facts

Union Omaha has never failed to win a match in US Open Cup play, and are still undefeated against lower-division sides in the competition.
The Owls’ xG was 2.10 to the Pioneers’ 0.03. The visitors had 28 touches inside the opposition box compared to only 3 for the hosts. Every Union Omaha player who attempted even a single shot had a higher xG on that shot than the Pioneers had all night.
Not only did the defense lock down Western Massachusetts, they also unleashed 3 shots (2 on target), created 4 chances, and were responsible for 179 of the Owls’ 343 accurate passes.

Key Events

4’ Union Omaha Goal – Gallardo 0-1 (Gómez Assist)

44’ Western Massachusetts Yellow Card – Rose (Foul)

51’ Western Massachusetts Yellow Card – Blasco (Foul)

62’ Union Omaha Sub – Rodriguez Out, Knapp In

62’ Western Massachusetts Sub – Rose Out, Camacho In

67’ Union Omaha Goal – Dos Santos 0-2 (Dolabella Assist)

73’ Union Omaha Goal – Gallardo 0-3 (Mastrantonio Assist)

74’ Western Massachusetts Sub – Duben Out, Hicks In

76’ Western Massachusetts Sub – Calvo Out, Beeston In

79’ Union Omaha Sub – Dolabella, Perkins Out, Aoumaich, Jiba In

85’ Western Massachusetts Sub – Blasco Out, Matera In

86’ Western Massachusetts Sub – Awashie Out, Wadas In

87’ Union Omaha Sub – Dos Santos Out, Bronnik In

89’ Union Omaha Goal – Gallardo 0-4 (Bronnik Assist)

Owls Open 2024 With A Win In Fresno

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.

**Image Provided by Union Omaha Twitter: @Union_Omaha**

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.

**Image Courtesy of Union Omaha Twitter: @Union_Omaha**

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

Union Omaha Set to Begin 2024 Season at Central Valley Fuego

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.

Incorrectly Predicting Union Omaha’s First Starting XI

Disclaimer: This article was written before the announcement of Brandon Knapp

What’s every fan’s favorite thing to do during the preseason, no matter who their loyalties lie with? Well, besides going through the schedule and reaching the obvious conclusion that your favorite team will win the league and not understanding why fans of other teams can’t come to the same rational conclusion, it’s trying to predict which 11 players will be the ones that see the most playing time on their team’s path to inevitable glory. In a league with as much turnover as USL League One sees on an annual basis, making accurate predictions either means that fan is omniscient or has placed a listening device in the conference room. Either way, these fans aren’t to be trusted. I’m now asking you to ignore what you just read, and go on this journey with me!

First, we should recap last season’s typical lineup so that we can see who needs to be replaced and where. As most Union Omaha fans are aware, we didn’t really get the chance to put out a typical lineup. The first portion of the season saw manager Dominic Casciato trying different looks as he continued learning more about his roster. Once the team found its stride, injuries prevented them from putting out a consistent lineup. Pedro Dolabella, Marco Milanese, Luca Mastrantonio, Noe Meza and Conor Doyle all missed time at different stretches. Unlike with Meza and Doyle, who had already cemented their statuses as regular starters, Dolabella and Milanese suffered injuries as they had been submitting their cases. Make no mistake that other players made considerable contributions in their place, such as Joe Gallardo and Lagos Kunga. But for the sake of this process, let’s assume this was Union Omaha’s regular XI in 2023:

Goalkeeper: Rashid Nuhu
Defenders: Shaft Brewer Jr., Marco Milanese, Alexis Souahy, Dion Acoff
Midfielders: JP Scearce, Conor Doyle, Joe Brito, Luis Gil
Forwards: Noe Meza and Steevan Dos Santos

There are probably some names you expected to see on this list, but obviously only 11 players can start. Luca Mastrantonio is one example, he had some injury issues in 2023. This did create opportunities for both Milanese and Acoff to flex into new positions. Milanese became a dependable CB, while Acoff made the All-League Second Team as an RB. In the list above, seven players are no longer with the club, most notably the entire midfield.

If you begin building a new starting XI, it’s probably best to organize players in three specific groups: holdovers from last season that played a significant amount of the time, holdovers from last season that you can argue should see a significant increase in playing time, and new players. Let’s start with the first group:

Lucca Mastrantonio: started half of the league matches last season, a true center back
Pedro Dolabella: flexed into a more defensive role at the end of last season after Conor Doyle’s injury
Joe Gallardo: Played in all but four regular season matches, equaled both Brito and Dolabella in goals scored

The next group are holdovers that you can make a reasonable argument should receive significantly more playing time:

Anderson Holt: Signed professionally last summer after beginning on an academy contract. Faced strong depth ahead of him with other defenders, impressed in his limited playing time
Lagos Kunga: Late season addition from Des Moines Menace, was already a primary substitute by the end of the season in the midfield

And finally, the group of new players that have been announced. In order of announcement:

Adam Aoumaich: First year professional from Marshall University, appears to be able to play both forward and on the wings
Blake Malone: Loaned to UO from Orange County SC in 2021, returns after a successful stint with Colorado Rapids 2
Nortei Nortey: Primarily a defensive midfielder, was a part-time captain for Northern Colorado Hailstorm last season during an incredibly successful 2023 campaign
Aarón Gómez: Signed from Casciato’s old stomping grounds in El Paso, started 24 matches last seasons mostly as a forward and attacking midfielder
Mechack Jérôme: Also played for Casciato in El Paso, started about half of Indy Eleven’s matches last season at CB. The 33 year-old has 80 international caps representing Haiti, most recently playing against Jamaica in the CONCACAF Nations League last October
Victor Pagliari Giro: Known as PC, a midfielder that was essential to San Antonio FC’s championship in 2022. Had 15 goals+assists from 74 matches in his four seasons with the club primarily as a center midfielder

So listed above are eleven players with seven starting spots presumably available. Let’s work our way from the middle out, since the entire midfield above needs to be replaced. Here is the potential player pool, in alphabetical order:

Adam Aoumaich
Pedro Dolabella
Joe Gallardo
Aarón Gómez
Lagos Kunga
Nortei Nortey
PC

In my opinion, Dolabella and Nortey have the strongest chances of being regular starters. Dolabella was basically a starter if not for injuries in 2023, Nortey is an important piece replacing Scearce’s and Doyle’s combined seven years of service to UO, primarily along the spine in defense. I think Kunga has the highest upside of the other remaining players, while his movement off the ball helps create space for others. If you think Casciato will start the season with the same 4-2-3-1 formation that UO eased into at the end of last season, I believe this leaves a natural spot for Nortey to share the defensive midfield with PC. This also leaves a fifth spot for a midfielder, which I believe is up between Gallardo and Gómez. I don’t think you can go wrong with either, both have the ability to also flex up and play some forward. My gut tells me this spot belongs to Gallardo right now.

In defense, it’s hard to rationalize taking Acoff’s spot away just months after being named second team All-League. I also can’t see Jérôme being brought in as simply CB depth, his median FotMob rating of 6.8 in the Championship last season suggests he should be able to make a seamless transition to League One. Holt logged only 87 minutes last season, so seeing the 19 year-old penciled in as a starter to begin the season seems far-fetched. This leaves Milanese as the only LB remaining, and as starter #3. So the final CB starting position is between Malone and Mastrantonio. I liked what I saw when Mastrantonio and Milanese were able to play next to each other last season, and imagine that gives Mastrantonio the edge for now.

Since all of the above leaves room for only one forward, it’s hard to imagine anybody other than Steevan Dos Santos in that spot. Gómez and Aoumaich on the bench, along with PC and Dolabella’s ability to adapt positionally gives Casciato plenty of flexibility to change formations as needed. I shudder doing this, putting my prognostications on the record in graphic form, but here we go:

So there you have it: I’ve just guaranteed that on Saturday, March 16 in Fresno, California, Union Omaha will start in either a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 formation. I barely have a vague understanding of the game, so why not have some fun with it!

Union Omaha Adds Two to 2024 Roster

It’s been a whirlwind of a week for Union Omaha fans, who are still celebrating the club’s stadium announcement. Yesterday, the Owls continued capturing the eyes of the media with the additions of two players to the 2024 roster: defender Mechack Jérôme and forward Aarón Gómez.

Mechack Jérôme walks into the Union Omaha locker room with a wealth of experience and a trophy case to match it. Most recently, the 5’10” Haitian spent time with USL Championship side Indy Eleven, amassing 55 appearances. In 2023, Jérôme had the second highest passing accuracy on the team (87.5%) for players who completed more than 550 total passes. Despite his tenacity and penchant for winning duels, he only collected a single yellow card and ranked as one of the lowest players in conceding fouls on his team.

Credit to Union Omaha Twitter: @Union_Omaha

Union Omaha fans will love to hear this stat: both times that Jérôme won a trophy, it happened during his first season with the club. In 2011, he won the USL Cup with Orlando City Soccer Club, prior to the club joining the MLS as an expansion side in 2015. Lightning struck a second time while he was competing with Sporting Kansas City in 2013, as the club went on to win the MLS Cup.

Look for Jérôme to provide plenty of veteran leadership on the backline, playing either at center back or right back. He shows good intelligence while playing in a given system, deciding to stay home, or showing pace as he moves up the field. Keep an eye out for his right foot, too. He has some power in that leg, which will come in handy as he clears threats or sends the ball up the field for a fast break. Don’t be surprised if he jumps in and takes a free kick or two, as well. With that power in his leg, he could turn heads if given the chance.

Credit to Indy Eleven’s Matt Schlotzhauer

In Union Omaha’s press release, Head Coach Dominic Casciato expressed his excitement with the addition of Jérôme. “Mechack is an experienced player that has 80 caps for his country, and when watching him play, it’s easy to see why – his ability speaks for itself,” said Union Omaha Head Coach Dominic Casciato. “I worked closely with him in El Paso when we won the Mountain Division and Copa Tejas back in 2021, so I’m delighted to be able to bring him to Omaha this season. His defensive prowess and quality in possession will make him a great asset as we look to achieve success in 2024.”

Jérôme supplied his own quote for the press release, as well. “I’m excited to say that I’m officially part of the Union Omaha family,” said Jérôme. “This is going to be an amazing season and I can’t wait for what’s to come!”

The second signing of Union Omaha’s Tuesday tradition came with the announcement of Aarón Gómez.

After spending almost five seasons with USL Championship club El Paso Locomotive, Gómez heads north to pair up with Union Omaha Head Coach Dominic Casciato. During his two years as an assistant at El Paso Locomotive, Casciato was able to work with Gómez closely and helped shape him into the offensive threat that he is today. Gómez leaves El Paso Locomotive as the club’s all-time leading scorer and helped the club to back-to-back Western Conference Finals. In 2021, he tied for the club’s Golden Boot award after finishing the season with ten goals. During that same season, Gómez helped the club win the Copa Tejas, a trophy presented to the best professional soccer club in Texas. All in all, Gómez made 139 appearances with the club, scoring 34 goals and tacking on 18 assists.

Gómez will get a lot of Union Omaha fans standing this season, as he is a strong presence in the box, a clinical finisher, and has many tools in his arsenal to hit the back of the net. The 5’8” forward regularly loses his marker and is dangerous with his headers. Look for him to have a lot of direct runs at the goal and finish any loose balls in the box. Since he already knows Casciato, the two should be able to hit the ground running. Speaking of running, Gómez will also earn a lot of respect from the fans for his workrate, which jumps off the film when you watch him play.

Union Omaha included quotes from both Head Coach Dominic Casciato and Aarón Gómez in the club’s press release.

“Aaron is a tireless worker and a proven goalscorer who plays the game with an energy and enthusiasm that’s inspiring to all of those around him,” said Head Coach Dominic Casciato. “He’s a player that I know well, having worked with him for two seasons in El Paso where we formed a strong relationship. Having seen his ability firsthand, I’m excited to see the impact he makes in Omaha as we look to elevate our squad and on-field performances in 2024.”

“I am very happy to sign here and grateful to God,” said Gómez. “It’s going to be a great season and I’m very excited to see everyone on the field soon.”

Union Omaha’s 2024 home opener is on April 20th as they welcome a rematch of 2023 USL League One Playoff Semifinals foe Charlotte Independence. Make sure you have your ticket for this much-anticipated match. Season ticket memberships and voucher packs are available at the club website or through the Ticket Office by calling 402-738-5100.

Stay tuned for more Union Omaha announcements ahead of the 2024 USL League One Regular Season. Who Gives A Hoot Media is here to give you all of the Union Omaha insights, announcements, profiles, statistical breakdowns, and new episodes of the podcast. As always…¡Viva Búhos!

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Owls Sign USL1 Veteran Nortey

It was another exciting Tuesday for the Owls, as Union Omaha signed defensive midfielder Nortei Nortey.

The 29-year-old Englishman comes to Omaha after spending two seasons with fellow USL League One club Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC. In the last two seasons, Nortey was a consistent piece of Hailstorm’s midfield, collecting over 4,400 minutes across 50 starts and 56 appearances. 2023 was a particularly strong year, as he helped the club allow the fewest goals in the league while simultaneously amassing the greatest goal differential in the league, as well.

Nortey is the first midfielder that Union Omaha has signed in 2024 and his talent should not be overlooked. While typically playing a more defensive role in the midfield, his passing is highly-rated, even in the opponent’s half. Most of his passes move forward, while also balancing his left to right distribution. With the midfield veterans returning to Union Omaha’s roster in 2024, the 5’11″ midfielder will provide a great layer of depth, allowing his teammates to progress up the field, utilize their individual strengths, and create chances in the offensive third.

Before arriving in America, Nortey started his playing career in Chelsea’s academy before moving on to play at other clubs throughout the United Kingdom. Some of those clubs include Wrexham, Dover Athletic, and Chorley. After playing a season in the Scottish Championship with Queen of the South, Nortey was signed by Northern Colorado and started playing in USL League One in 2022.

In Union Omaha’s press release, head coach Dominic Casciato expressed his excitement for Nortey’s signing. “Nortei is a quality, experienced midfielder that’s got a good range of passing and great leadership skills,” said Union Omaha Head Coach Dominic Casciato. “He’s coming off a good second season with Northern Colorado, where he was a captain and established himself as one of the best midfielders in the league. We look forward to the impact he will have in our locker room, on the field and in our community as we work together to build on the success we achieved in 2023.”

The press release included a quote from Nortey, as well. “I’m very excited to be a part of the Union Omaha family,” Nortey said. “Already looking forward to working with my new teammates, the coaching staff, everyone involved at the club and, of course, meeting all our fans. I can’t wait to get started!”

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Union Omaha Signs 2021 Owl Malone

Union Omaha carried their momentum with the first Tuesday signing announcement of the 2024 calendar year, following their first announcement with the addition of a familiar face in defender Blake Malone.

No stranger to success, Malone won the 2018 US Soccer Development Academy National Championship with his U16/17 Seattle Sounder FC Academy teammates. Before enrolling in college, he was the No. 2 defender of the 2019 class, according to Top Drawer Soccer. He made two appearances as a member of the U20 US National Team, named Team Captain of his U18/19 Seattle Sounders Academy Team, and was listed as a United Soccer Coaches All-American in 2018.

Image Courtesy of University of North Carolina Athletics

Soon after, he made a move across the country to play the 2019 collegiate season with the University of North Carolina. In his lone season with the Tar Heels, Malone started in 13 of his 15 matches and was named to Top Drawer Soccer’s Preseason Best XI team in August of 2019. Despite playing as a defender, he was still able to tally a goal against Notre Dame during the regular season. With his college career behind him, it wouldn’t take long for a professional club to reach out and sign him.

In March of 2021, Malone was signed by Orange County SC. Soon after being signed, he was loaned to Union Omaha ahead of the 2021 USL League One season. In that season, the 5’10” defender made 13 appearances with the Owls as they went on to win the USL League One Players’ Shield, as well as the Playoff Championship. At the conclusion of the 2021 season, Colorado Rapids 2 signed him for the 2022 MLS Next Pro Season.

While playing with Colorado Rapids 2, Malone earned plenty of minutes with the club, amassing over 2,000 minutes across the entire season. During the regular season, he started in 15 of his 17 appearances, scoring 4 goals and earning 3 assists along the way. Malone and his teammates went on to become Western Conference regular season title-winners.

Malone returns to the city he was born in, hoping to help the club climb the podium again. In the club’s press release, Head Coach Dominic Casciato expressed his excitement with the signing. “Blake is a top young defender who’s coming off an outstanding conference-winning season with Colorado Rapids 2,” Casciato said. “He’s familiar with our club, having been part of the 2021 double-winning team and has developed considerably in the two years since then. We look forward to welcoming the local lad back home for the 2024 season.”

The press release also included a quote from the 22-year old. “I’m thrilled to be back playing for the city I was born in,” Malone said. “Looking forward to the season and to, hopefully, winning another championship like we did in 2021!”

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Union Omaha Signs Adam Aoumaich

Keeping in line with tradition, Union Omaha celebrated their first Tuesday signing announcement with the introduction of forward Adam Aoumaich.

After graduating from Jean de La Fontaine High School in Château-Thierry, France, Aoumaich used his French-American dual citizenship to cross the Atlantic Ocean and play soccer at the University of Albany. In the 2020-2021 season, Aoumaich appeared in nine matches, starting four times. By the end of the season, he led the team with 4 goals, 9 points, and 18 shots. The highlights of that season included an 87th-minute match-winning goal against Binghampton and being named America East Offensive Player of the Week. Before leaving the program in 2021, Aoumaich amassed 24 appearances, 6 goals, 3 assists, 2 match-winning goals, and a shot on goal percentage of 61.3%.

Image courtesy of University of Albany Athletics

His next collegiate stop took him to Huntington, West Virginia, where the 5’8” forward played for Marshall University. In his two years with The Thundering Herd, Aoumaich started in 31 of the 36 matches in which he appeared, scored 7 goals, and earned 15 assists. By the end of his collegiate career at Marshall University, Aoumaich had earned such honors as being named to the 2022 Second-Team All-Sun Belt Conference and 2022 Sun Belt Men’s Soccer Newcomer of the Year.

Image courtesy of Marshall University Athletics

Aoumaich also has experience under the USL umbrella, playing for USL League Two’s Manhattan SC. During his time with the club, he made seven appearances and tallied one goal with two assists during the 2021 season.

In the Union Omaha’s press release, Head Coach Dominic Casciato provided his thoughts on the 24-year old. “Adam is a talented young winger that’s both exciting to watch and mature enough to understand that the team comes first at all times,” Casciato said. “He’s been one of college soccer’s most creative players in the last few years, and joins us from Marshall University, one of the top programs in the country, under Coach Chris Grassie. We look forward to welcoming him to the club as he takes his first steps as a professional.”

The press release also included a quote from Aoumaich. “I’m so excited to be joining Union Omaha!” said Aoumaich. “I can’t wait to hit the field with my teammates and make our fans proud.”

Video courtesy of JSA Scholarships YouTube Page: @JSPscholarships

Union Omaha’s 2024 home opener is on April 20th as they welcome a rematch against 2023 USL League One Playoff Semifinals foe Charlotte Independence. Make sure you have your ticket for this much-anticipated match. Season ticket memberships and voucher packs are available at the club website or through the Ticket Office by calling 402-738-5100.

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Owls Bested in PKs

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)

Owls Blank Mingos, Win Players’ Shield

On Saturday evening, Union Omaha did something they hadn’t done since 2021 – defeat Forward Madison inside Breese Stevens Field..oh yeah, and win the Players’ Shield. Thanks to a second-half goal from Steevan Dos Santos, the Owls earned the road win, won the regular season title, and secured home field advantage throughout the upcoming playoffs.

Image courtesy of Union Omaha Twitter: @Union_Omaha

Usually, this match is preceded by the typical rivalry-laced hype, but this match took on a different meaning for both sides. For Forward Madison, a win would secure their place in the playoffs. For Union Omaha, a win would lock up the top seed in the playoffs, win more silverware, and pave a path to winning the Cup at home. While the rivalry took a backseat to the prime objectives, it certainly added some spice to the evening.

Union Omaha kicked off the match and faced early pressure from a high-pressing top line from the hosts. The Flamingos used the pressure to their favor, lodging the first shot of the match in the fourth minute of play. The Owls defense and midfield was able to stifle Forward Madison’s build-up play, resulting in the home side only having three shots in the first half. More to the point, the Flamingos only had 1 shot on goal in the first half and had no offensive threats after the 13th minute of the match. On the flip side, Union Omaha would go into the break with 10 shots, 4 of which were on goal.

The match winner came in the 64th minute when Noe Meza found space following a give-and-go passing sequence with Pedro Dolabella. After Meza was successful in drawing a defender, Lagos Kunga directed his path to the space left open by the defender and Meza fed Kunga a thru ball toward the penalty area. Kunga took one touch to get the ball into the penalty area and then sent a cross to the back door, where Steevan Dos Santos was able to find his 13th goal of the season. At the same time as earning his second assist of the season, Kunga also involved himself in three of the last four Union Omaha goals.

64’ – 𝗢𝗪𝗟𝗦 𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟! | 0-1

WHO ELSE BUT BIG STEEV?! 🤩

A flowing move between Meza, @LAGOSKUNGA and @SantosSteevan as they string together the classy passes and a volley to put us on top! 💪#OneMeansAll | #MADvOMA pic.twitter.com/jhdg3K5RhA
— Union Omaha (@Union_Omaha) October 15, 2023

Courtesy of Union Omaha Twitter: @Union_Omaha

Union Omaha would end the match with a 1-0 victory over Forward Madison, splitting the season series with a win, loss, and draw for both clubs. Even the aggregate was tied at three a piece. More importantly, the Owls earned three points, securing the Players’ Shield for the second time in club history, locked up a bye week in the first round of the playoffs, will host a semifinal match, and will host the Final with a semifinal victory.

Image courtesy of Union Omaha Twitter: @Union_Omaha

Mark your calendar because Union Omaha will host the lowest remaining seed on Saturday, October 28th at 4:30PM CT. ESPN+ will carry the match broadcast, but that doesn’t matter since you’ll be inside Werner Park that day anyways. Head over to the club website to purchase your tickets, get some club gear from the team store, and get prepared for a special evening.

Image courtesy of Union Omaha Twitter: @Union_Omaha

Random Facts

Union Omaha is unbeaten in their last 14 matches, which is an ongoing club record, as well as ongoing league record. The previous club record was 11 matches, earned by the 2022 Union Omaha squad.
Union Omaha set a club record for most goals scored in away matches. The current record sits at 23 goals in 16 matches. The previous record was set by the 2021 squad, who scored 21 goals in 14 matches.
The Owls also set a club record for points collected on the road in a single season. The new record is 29 points in 16 matches. This beats the old record, which was 26 points in 14 matches from 2021.
Union Omaha raised the bar on previous club records, amassing 65 points in a single season. The previous club record was set in 2021 with 51 points, collected across 28 matches. The club has also surpassed the league record for points collected in a single season. North Texas SC collected 56 points across 28 matches in 2019.
Union Omaha has set a club record for average points collected per match. With 65 points collected across 32 matches, the Owls currently sit at an average of 2.03 points per match, surpassing the 2021 club record average of 1.82. The league record remains intact as the 2020 Greenville Triumph squad averaged 2.19 points per match.
The Owls continued an ongoing club record for most consecutive matches with a goal scored, with the new record set at 14. The previous record belonged to the 2021 Union Omaha squad, who scored in 10 straight regular season matches.
Union Omaha is still undefeated when scoring 2+ goals in a match.
The Owls went the entire regular season undefeated when leading at halftime.

Match Summary

Attendance: 4,740

Goal Summary:
64’: OMA – #10 Steevan Dos Santos (assisted by #70 Lagos Kunga)

Substitution Summary:
57’: MAD – #14 Mauro Cichero replaces #23 Aiden Mesias
68’: OMA – #8 Joe Brito replaces #20 Luis Gil
73’: MAD – #44 Pierre Da Silva replaces #28 Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu
77’: OMA – #11 Joe Gallardo replaces #7 Noe Meza
87’: OMA – #4 Luca Mastrantonio replaces #70 Lagos Kunga
90’: MAD – #3 Jason Ramos replaces #12 Sam Brotherton

Discipline Summary:
35’: OMA – #70 Lagos Kunga (Yellow card)
41’: OMA – #17 JP Scearce (Yellow card)
44’: MAD – #28 Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu (Yellow card)
75’: MAD – #9 Christian Chaney (Yellow card)
88’: MAD – #12 Sam Brotherton (Yellow card)
90’+1: MAD – #44 Pierre Da Silva (Yellow card)
90’+3: OMA – #11 Joe Gallardo (Yellow card)
90’+9: OMA – #24 Rashid Nuhu (Yellow card)