May 11, 2022 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Union Omaha News Release
OMAHA, Neb. – It was another match and yet another historic night for Union Omaha on Wednesday in their inaugural Open Cup run as they defeated Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC 2-0 in the round of 32.
The warm night featured a return home for former University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks Eddie Gordon, Hugo Kametani, and Emir Alihodžić to Caniglia Field with head coach Jay Mims at the helm. At a storied stadium with lots of history, Union Omaha was ready to make some of their own and seal its spot as the first and only USL League One team to make it to the round of 16.
In order to get there, however, they had to go through League One newcomers Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC. It was the first meeting for two clubs that have already made history as the first and second League One teams, respectively, to take down MLS opponents. Just 24 hours after Union Omaha sent Chicago Fire home on penalty kicks, the Hailstorm went on the road and silenced Real Salt Lake 1-0. Both teams came ready to make even more Open Cup noise.
It was clear from the first minute that the Hailstorm were going to come out physical, as Jerry Desdunes recorded a quick yellow card in the 1st minute.
Omaha came out with the first promising look in the 9th minute, as Kemal Malcolm slid the ball past a defender into the middle of the box, but couldn’t find an Omaha foot to take advantage.
JP Scearce, tied on the team for most goals on the year, had several early looks. Another chance came in the 16th minute off a deep corner kick from Joe Brito, as he tried to replicate his first Open Cup goal with a header that missed just wide. He got another opportunity in the 22nd minute, this one off another Brito set-piece that found the back of the net but was called back after a close offside ruling.
Malcolm was ready to strike in the 25th minute, racing past his defender and sending off a shot across the goal that soared wide. Brito,…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at OurSports Central Outdoor Soccer News…