April 19, 2023 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Union Omaha News Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Union Omaha peppered the goal Wednesday night against Charlotte Independence but was unable to find a breakthrough as the sides drew 0-0.
Wednesday marked the biggest test for Omaha in League One action thus far, going on the road and taking on another fellow playoff side from last season Charlotte Independence. The Jacks have seen a solid start to their 2023 campaign powered by a dynamic attacking unit that has scored the most goals in the league. The Owls were looking to upend the first-place Independence for the first time this season in their first return to American Legion Memorial Stadium since April 2022.
In what turned out to be a goalkeeping clinic of a night, Rashid Nuhu grabbed his first save in the 7th minute, smothering a shot from Miguel Ibarra.
JP Scearce tested Charlotte’s defense in the 19th minute with a bullet of a shot, requiring goalkeeper Austin Pack to make a leaping save to keep the boys in lightning off the board.
Tresor Mbuyu tried to sneak a shot past Nuhu in the 35th minute, the latter flashing the leather to grab the hot shot near post to keep the match deadlocked.
The Owls led in most statistical categories in the first half, holding 60% of the possession, completing 87% of their passes and doubling the amount of Independence shots with 12, but the teams headed into the locker room still tied 0-0 at the half.
Omaha came out of the break firing with several dangerous looks, starting in the 48th minute. Working off a Steevan Dos Santos interception, the Owls sprang into the counter-attack, as Scearce fed the ball to Luis Gil sent the ball just wide of goal. Reigning League One Team of the Week selection Joe Gallardo looked to score in his second consecutive match just after, striking another tough shot, with Dos Santos getting another saved attempt off the rebound.
The rain of shots continued to downpour in the 65th minute, with fresh substitute Pedro Dolabella taking a cross from Shaft Brewer Jr. and forcing another save out of Pack. Another close chance manifested in the 71st, Alexis Souahy’s back-post tap being scooped up before it can cross the line.
Two more solid scoring opportunities came in the 86th minute, with Dolabella driving up the left flank and punching another shot on-target before Noe Meza attempted to send the rebound back in, both requiring incredible back-to-back saves from Pack.
In the end, neither side could find a…