May 3, 2024 – United Soccer League One (USL1)
Union Omaha News Release
It’s a battle between two of the league’s three bird teams, and two of the league’s three remaining representatives in the U.S. Open Cup. Union Omaha faces off against old friend Conor Doyle and South Georgia Tormenta FC. Both teams are currently level on 7 points in the league… although Omaha has half the matches played. They also have over half the number of fouls, with Tormenta blowing the league out of the water with their 87 fouls conceded thus far. In other words, be prepared to watch the feathers fly.
AFFORDED A CHANCE
Tormenta are reeling from the loss of their two main goalscorers last season, with Kazaiah Sterling and Mukwelle Akale headed to the Championship. There is, however, one succession plan that’s seemed to have worked in their favor so far. Pablo Jara left big gloves to fill when he bolted north to Richmond, as he was the Ibis’ all-time appearance leader. Replacing him was Ford Parker, a New Mexico native who’d struggled to find consistent game time there or elsewhere. So far, so good: Parker came out of the gates by winning Save of the Week for the first four weeks of the 2024 season, and in emphatic fashion at that.
YOUTH INFUSION
You caught the best glimpse yet on Wednesday of what the youngsters of Union Omaha (the owlets, if you will) can provide. Missael Rodríguez, barely old enough to partake in the titular sponsor of the USL Jägermeister Cup, bagged a brace with his speed and canny off-ball movement. Anderson Holt, in his first professional start, bossed the backline alongside his more established cohorts, contributing defensively (four clearances, two interceptions, one tackle) and offensively (85.7% passing on 49 passes). Brandon Knapp got stuck into the midfield in his own pro starting debut, creating two chances and winning 62.5% of his duels. All three of them went the distance too, while fellow fledglings Will Perkins, Mark Bronnik, and Adam Aoumaich all got significant time off the bench. Let’s not forget Ryen Jiba and Blake Malone, despite coming, going, and coming back, are both only 23 as well!
SERIES HISTORY
When it comes to tussles against Tormenta, like LaVar Ball, Union Omaha has never lost. The only team the Owls have faced more often is Forward Madison, and in the ten matches between Owls and Ibises, the former has a 7-0-3 record. This includes two seasons, the 2021 title year and the 2023 Player’s Shield year, where the team has won all their…