June 23, 2022 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Union Omaha News Release
KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Just 155 miles separate the two teams meeting in the inaugural match of the I-29 Derby, and Omaha was attempting to further cement their names in the history books as the first third-division club to defeat three MLS teams in the Open Cup.
Union Omaha and Sporting KC were dueling it out for a semifinal date with USL Championship side Sacramento Republic FC. The Owls attempting to “do the impossible” as head coach Jay Mims would later put it, looking to become the second non-MLS team to make the semis this season.
Sporting has seen a less-than-ideal start to its MLS season, sitting at 12th in the Western Conference with a 4-9-4 record, although coming in with some momentum after shaking things up with a win Sunday at Nashville FC. They have had, however, more success with their Open Cup run, which they have historically performed well in. The four-time Open Cup champions, the most recent coming in 2017, were hoping to improve on their all-time 2-4 mark in the tournament against third-division clubs and put an end to the streak of MLS defeats at the hands of the Owls.
It was a short trip down that many Omaha faithful committed to, bringing out a solid supporters’ section to its nearest pro-soccer neighbor at Children’s Mercy Park. Combined with the thousands in blue, it made for an electric atmosphere on a Wednesday night.
From the start of the match, it was clear reigning USL League One Golden Glove winner Rashid Nuhu was going to have his hands full. He started off the game hot, making a pouncing block across the face of goal off a rocket of a shot.
A would-be pivotal moment for the Owls came in the 6th minute, starting with a Ryen Jiba interception around midfield. Joe Brito carried the ball upfield and delivered it to Hugo Kametani, who spun around and set to take a close shot on goal but was swallowed up by Kansas City’s keeper before he could do so.
Dániel Sallói opened up the scoring for Kansas City and a long night for the Owls’ defense. A Johnny Russell cross sent Khiry Shelton in motion to deliver a centering pass into the box for Sallói to drive in and put the home side up 1-0. In a familiar position, there was no panic for the Owls, who had perhaps been counted out before after falling behind against MLS sides in both of their comeback victories against Chicago Fire and Minnesota United.
Nuhu would respond with another excellent leaping dive to bat…