September 24, 2024 – United Soccer League One (USL1)
Union Omaha News Release
Papillion, Nebr. – This match might as well have been “a tale of two halves” made manifest.
After controlling the first 45 minutes against a Knoxville side that’s thrived this season by putting their stamp on these kinds of matches, a second yellow card for Pedro Dolabella flipped the script and had the Owls defending their nest for the remainder of the match. In the end, Charlie Ostrem’s 31st minute goal remained the difference.
“Yeah, we started off the game very strong, and I think we ended strong as well,” said defender Blake Malone afterwards. “I think we were absolutely dominant in the first half; we had a lot of good looks, and we were definitely very comfortable on the ball. Unfortunate and unlucky that we had to go through another red card, but an absolutely outstanding performance for the boys.”
Head Coach Dominic Casciato agreed, saying that his team could maybe have been another goal ahead at the halftime whistle, such was their hold over proceedings.
Through the first quarter of the match, Los Búhos had over two-thirds possession, albeit only a couple shots. Knoxville played everyone tight, even denying switches of play out to Dion Acoff that in so many other matches this season have been wide open. Still, on the occasions the rapid winger had the green light, he took it and ran.
Steevan Dos Santos’ presence was missed in many of those occasions when Acoff put the ball into the box, especially when fill-in striker Pedro Dolabella was dragged wide. In the 31st minute though, a half-clearance by Knoxville was nodded on by Malone to allow Dion Acoff to chip in a cross. Goalkeeper Sean Lewis pawed it away… right to Charlie Ostrem, unmarked as Dolabella soaked up the defense’s attention. The left back almost delicately volleyed it home with his right foot to put his squad up.
As the team cruised into the half, though, the plot twist came.
Dolabella, already on a yellow card from a minor incident going up for the ball earlier, would see red after a lunge on a streaking James Thomas sent him collapsing to the turf.
For context on just how marked the shift was, the Owls went into the break with a 59-41% possession advantage. By the end of the match, it was Knoxville with 59% of the ball-not for that half, for the entire match.
Said Coach Dom, “I think the character and resolve and the spirit of the guys showed after the game went down to ten men was really admirable. It was about…