July 17, 2022 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Union Omaha News Release
PAPILLION, Neb. – What better way to celebrate Omaha on 402 Night than recording a win?
It was a regular-season record-breaking crowd on hand at Werner Park Saturday night as the Owls played host to FC Tucson in just their fifth home match of the season. It was a matchup with some familiarity to it, as the Owls emerged victorious from last month’s taxing meeting in the desert.
The two teams have had very different looks results this season. Omaha came in at 8th place, though with multiple games in-hand to play around with. Tucson, on the other hand, has sat in last place for most of the season, although they can be prone to playing spoiler at times. Both teams are at pivotal points in their seasons, setting up a situation where neither can accept a draw.
Rashid Nuhu, already coming off a League One Save of the Week, was called upon early to keep Tucson off the scoresheet. In the 6th minute, Louis Perez carried the ball up after an interception and sent a hot shot Nuhu’s way, which he promptly pounced on and denied.
Omaha’s opening chance came in the 13th minute, as Hugo Kametani set up a shot for Kemal Malcolm right in the middle of the box. Malcolm had some work to do, spinning around a defender to be able to get a look on goal, but his shot rocketed off a Tucson man and out of play.
After a long scoreless drought at home, Omaha finally managed to find its footing with an early goal. It was the 14th minute when Malcolm fed Hugo Kametani, who slotted it just past Carlos Merancio in Tucson’s goal. It was the Owls’ first goal at home since April 23rd, providing plenty of energy for the home crowd of over 4,000.
As is customary in an Omaha-Tucson matchup, there were plenty of cards to go around in the match, starting with a yellow on JP Scearce in the 23rd minute. Tucson would match that just two minutes later with its own, a caution on Kaelon Fox for a hard foul on Brito.
The physicality didn’t stop there, as JP Scearce earned his second yellow in the 30th minute and was sent off the pitch as a result. It was a moment of déjà vu for the Owls, who found themselves down a man again in their last matchup. This time, though, Omaha would have to hold its lead for over a half of play rather than 20 minutes. Omaha head coach Jay Mims expressed some verbal frustration after the decision, earning himself a yellow of his own.
The Owls didn’t let the barrage of fouls dampen their spirits. The…