May 5, 2023 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Union Omaha News Release
RICHMOND, Va. – Omaha came away one point better Friday night as the Owls traveled a rowdy Richmond Kickers crowd and recorded a 0-0 draw.
Omaha and Richmond sat back-to-back in the standings in 4th and 5th place, respectively, both in similar form to open the season. The Owls faced last year’s Player Shield winners for the first time since September 2022, when Omaha dropped a heartbreaker after leading for most of the match and conceding a last-minute penalty. The Owls would be searching for their first win in club history at Richmond’s City Stadium, traditionally one of the most hostile environments in all of League One.
The match was balanced to open play, both sides playing aggressively and trading spells of possession, threatening to jump ahead early in the first 15 minutes.
Rashid Nuhu was called upon in the 5th minute, with former Owl Nathan Aune taking a headed stab on target to force the save. Omaha took its first shot in the 6th minute, with Pedro Dolabella bending a strike from way outside the box that curled just past the top of goal.
Reigning USL League One Player of the Week Noe Meza had several close chances in the first half, combining with Steevan Dos Santos up top for a few solid looks in the 34th and 39th minutes.
The Owls and Kickers sat even on the score line at the half, each with 7 shots taken and fairly equal in possession, each side still looking for a breakthrough.
Captain Conor Doyle put on Richmond goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald on notice in the 84th minute with a twisting ball shot from nearly midfield that nearly snuck its way in.
Two more back-to-back acrobatic saves from Nuhu off of close corner kick attempts in the dying minutes of play sealed the deal on the Owls’ second consecutive draw on the road and third clean sheet of the season.
“I think the guys fought hard,” Union Omaha Head Coach Dominic Casciato said. “I think we were organized, and I think the second half, we made some adjustments that really took away their opportunities. Aside from any set pieces at the end of the game, they didn’t really have any chances and I think on another day, some of the counterattacks that we had potentially could’ve nicked the game, as well.”
Nuhu recorded 4 total saves on the night, his clean sheet aided by some excellent defensive play, including from Italian Luca Mastrantonio in his first start of the year.
“It’s a bittersweet result today,” Mastrantonio said….