May 6, 2024 – United Soccer League One (USL1)
Union Omaha News Release
PAPILLION, Neb. – In a break from the stormy conditions that have battered Omaha of late, it was the home team that brought a much-needed torrent of goals.
Four different players found the back of the net for Union Omaha, a mark that only gained importance after the mid-match departure of striker Steevan Dos Santos due to injury.
Said Head Coach Dominic Casciato, “Good win tonight against a good Tormenta team that caused us problems. I think it’s great for us to get four goals on the board. The game probably got a bit too chaotic at the end for us, but really pleasing to get the three points.”
Nortei Nortey kicked things off not even ten minutes in with a strike from way downtown. The move was well worked up the left wing, before a couple lay-offs left the ball at Nortey’s feet. The Chelsea youth product knew what he wanted to do before the ball even got to him. He took a gentle touch to settle it, then a swing with his right boot from at least 30 yards out. The ball bounded to Ford Parker’s right, skipping over his glove and into the net for a shock to South Georgia’s system.
“I was very pleased to see that go in,” Nortey said of the goal after the match. “I’m always trying to tell myself to get in a position to have a pop at goal. I didn’t really think too much about it, I just took a touch and hit it, and luckily for me today it went in.”
While Owls aren’t exactly renowned for their sense of smell, these ones smelled blood in the water. Much like in their Wednesday match, it didn’t take long for them to tack on a second goal.
Ford Parker only punched a corner as far as the edge of the box, where Lagos Kunga was lurking. He took an audacious, swerving volley that may still have the crossbar rattling as you read this. Dos Santos stuck a leg out to corral the carom for Joe Gallardo, who blasted it from there. Pedro Dolabella used the Force to bring that shot his way so that he could stab it home, and celebrated the goal by showing off his lightsaber skills. Only three minutes had passed since their opener.
Union dominated the early proceedings in all facets. 58% possession in the first 15 minutes, 6-3 in shots, 81% to 66% in passing accuracy, and so on. The team were incredibly happy to have Steevan Dos Santos back from a few games’ absence, playing into him early and often as a target man. He provided hockey assists on both of the Owls’ first-half goals, too.
After that, though, things…