July 8, 2024 – United Soccer League One (USL1)
Union Omaha News Release
Georgetown, Ky. – In the horse capital of the world, Union Omaha instead boatraced Lexington SC with four first-half goals, then held off their attempts to stampede back into the match to secure a 4-2 victory.
It’s been a strange season for the Boys in Green; Lexington SC entered the match 11th in the USL League One table with only one win. On the flip side, they lead their Jägermeister Cup group with only one loss, and have taken the scalps of both Greenville and Madison in the cup.
That made it all the more shocking when the Owls put Lexington to the sword from the get-go, only offering them any kind of breathing room after Omaha had put four past them.
“I think in the first half, we were sensational,” said Head Coach Dom Casciato post-match. “Second half, we maybe took our foot off the gas a bit too much, but it’s good to get the three points.”
Lagos Kunga, as he has for a couple months now, provided the impetus to get Union Omaha revved up and rolling. His directness in driving into the box forced Modesto Mendéz to make an ill-fated lunge at the ball, earning a penalty for the visitors. Pedro Dolabella stepped up to nestle the spot kick into the corner for his fifth goal in his last six matches.
It remained mostly one-way traffic from there, and it paid off in the 20th minute. Kunga took off like a shot down the right wing after a patient buildup, shrugging off pressure until he could square the ball to Steevan Dos Santos. His first touch checked up for him like a pitching wedge into the 18th green, and the striker went on to blast it past Amal Knight’s flailing paws from a tight angle for the 2-0 lead.
Even after going two goals down, though, Lexington seemed content to set their defense in a low block, allowing Omaha to pass it around the back entirely unpressured at times.
This nearly came back to haunt them after Dolabella dropped deep, then let fly a beautiful outside of the boot ball that sailed through the defense and on to the charging Dos Santos. Amal Knight stood tall, though, batting away the striker’s chip attempt.
Except, seconds later the ball was played back to Knight, who was frustrated enough at his lack of options that he tried to create something himself. Which he did… by taking a touch right to Aarón Gómez. The forward had only a simple lateral pass to Steevan Dos Santos for his assist, the forward settling and slotting it into the empty net.
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