April 28, 2023 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Union Omaha News Release
USL League One soccer is back at Werner Park! The Owls return to their nest Saturday to host undefeated Northern Colorado Hailstorm for the first time this season. Omaha returns to League One action after earning a hard-fought point on the road last Wednesday, April 19, against Charlotte Independence. Alexis Souahy made his second appearance to the League One Team of the Week after helping the defense earn its second clean sheet of the regular season. Although the Owls have looked tough on the road, they will be searching for their first home win against a strong Northern Colorado squad, hoping to send the visitors packing with their first loss of the year.
NEW BEGINNINGS
A month into the season, the Owls’ newcomers have already begun to mesh and shine in the black and lightning. USL Championship legend Steevan Dos Santos has led the charge, scoring in the Owls’ first U.S. Open Cup match and in Omaha’s first win on the road at Central Valley Fuego. Junior Palacios also scored in the aforementioned Open Cup match, and 2019 All-League selection Joe Gallardo picked up right where he left off League One action with a stunning free kick in Omaha’s last time out at home. Former MLS Next Pro standout Pedro Dolabella joined in on the fun this week, too, scoring a banger of a goal against MLS side St. Louis City SC. Combined with last season’s top scorers Noe Meza and JP Scearce getting back into the swing of things, the Owls’ attack has looked solid to start the season.
SERIES HISTORY
The all-time series between the two sides is even at 1-1-2. Union Omaha won the first-ever meeting, which came outside of league play in last year’s U.S. Open Cup Round of 32, where the Owls cruised to a 2-0 victory at Caniglia Field after both teams had defeated MLS opponents in the previous round. The sides then drew twice at Werner Park before the Hailstorm grabbed its first win in September. Look for Noe Meza to play a big role again, with the 25-year-old scoring in three of four matches against the Hailstorm last season.
ABOUT NORTHERN COLORADO HAILSTORM FC
Left out of last year’s playoffs by just a point, the Hailstorm seem poised to make a solid run in their second season. Northern Colorado’s defense, led by goalkeeper Lalo Delgado and 2022 USL League One Defender of the Year Arthur Rogers, is the only unit in the league set to concede a goal in league play this season, a stat the Owls will look to…