Union Omaha
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox football club
| clubname = Union Omaha
| image = Union Omaha Crest (updated star).png
| upright = 0.65
| fullname = Union Omaha Soccer Club
| TV =
| shortname =
| nickname = The Owls, Los Búhos
| founded = {{Start date and age|2019|05|01}}
| dissolved =
| stadium = Werner Park, Papillion, Nebraska
| capacity = 9,023
| owntitle =
| owner = Gary Green
| ceo =
| mgrtitle = Head coach
| manager = Dominic Casciato
| league = USL League One
| season = 2024
| position = 1st of 12
Playoffs: Champions
| website = [http://www.unionomaha.com www.unionomaha.com]
| pattern_la1 = _blackborder
| pattern_b1 = _blackstripes
| pattern_ra1 = _blackborder
| pattern_sh1 =
| pattern_so1 =
| leftarm1 = fff
| body1 = 9dff00
| rightarm1 = fff
| shorts1 = 000000
| socks1 = 000000
| pattern_la2 = _blackborder
| pattern_b2 = _blackcollar
| pattern_ra2 = _blackborder
| pattern_sh2 = ffff
| pattern_so2 =
| leftarm2 = fff
| body2 = ffff
| rightarm2 = fff
| shorts2 = _whitesides
| socks2 =
| firstgame =
| largestwin =
| worstdefeat =
| topscorer =
| fansgroup =
| honours =
| American = yes
| current = 2025 Union Omaha season
}}
Union Omaha Soccer Club is an American professional soccer team based in Omaha, Nebraska. In 2020, the team made its debut in USL League One (USL1).
History
In 2019, USL1 awarded a franchise to Alliance Omaha Soccer Holdings to begin play in the 2020 season,{{Cite web|url=https://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1017377-omaha-unveiled-as-usl-league-one-s-newest-club|title=Omaha Unveiled as USL League One's Newest Club|author=USLLeagueOne com Staff|date=May 1, 2019|website=USL League One|language=en-us|access-date=May 1, 2019}} with former head coach at the University of Nebraska Omaha, Jay Mims, announced as the club's first manager.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wowt.com/content/news/USL-League-One-comes-to-Omaha-509326511.html|title=USL League One comes to Omaha|last=WOWT|website=www.wowt.com|date=May 2019 |language=en|access-date=June 19, 2019}} Union Omaha finished 2020 in second place to qualify for the USL1 championship game. However, the match was canceled due to an outbreak of COVID-19 within the team's roster.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wowt.com/2020/10/29/championship-game-canceled-after-multiple-union-omaha-players-test-positive-for-covid-19/|title=Championship game canceled after multiple Union Omaha players test positive for COVID-19|last=Smith|first=Rex|website=WOWT|language=en|date=October 29, 2020|access-date=October 5, 2021}}
By defeating the Richmond Kickers 2–0 in the second to last match of the 2021 season, the Owls became the USL League One regular-season champions and clinched the top seed for the playoffs.{{cite news |last1=Shinzel |first1=Gene |title=2021 USL League One season |url=https://omaha.com/sports/local/union-omaha-clinches-first-place-in-usl-league-one/article_eb807158-3466-11ec-9fd2-9b270172ae89.html |access-date=October 23, 2021 |work=Omaha World-Herald |date=October 23, 2021}} Union Omaha then finished the season winning their first ever championship, beating defending champion Greenville Triumph SC 3–0 in the final.{{cite web |url=https://omaha.com/sports/local/union-omaha-wins-first-usl-league-one-title-in-owls-second-season/article_e70318a8-4a5d-11ec-b473-979975c61b4c.html |title=Union Omaha wins first USL League One title in Owls' second season |date=November 20, 2021 |publisher=Omaha World Herald |access-date=November 23, 2021}}
Union Omaha made a deep run in the 2022 U.S. Open Cup, entering in the second round and advancing to the quarterfinals as the last remaining third division team in the competition. In April, the Owls defeated Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire FC in a penalty shootout in the third round, becoming the first USL1 team to defeat an MLS team in U.S. Open Cup history.{{Cite news |last=Sigal |first=Jonathan |date=April 19, 2022 |title=Ezra Hendrickson reprimands Chicago Fire FC after US Open Cup exit to Union Omaha |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/ezra-hendrickson-slams-chicago-fire-fc-after-us-open-cup-exit-to-union-omaha |website=MLSsoccer.com}} After defeating fellow USL1 side Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC, Omaha played Minnesota United FC of MLS in the Round of 16 and won 2–1. They were the first third division team since Orlando City in 2013 to advance to the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals.{{cite web | url=https://fox42kptm.com/sports/content/union-omaha-advances-into-the-quarterfinals-of-us-open-cup | title=Union Omaha advances into the quarterfinals of U.S. Open Cup | date=June 2022 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.themaneland.com/2019/6/10/18658044/orlando-citys-u-s-open-cup-history | title=Orlando City's U.S. Open Cup History | date=June 10, 2019 }} The club's run in the competition ended with a 6–0 defeat to hosts Sporting Kansas City in the quarterfinals; approximately 700 fans traveled from Omaha to attend the match at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas.{{cite news |last=Sperry |first=Daniel |date=June 22, 2022 |title=Sporting Kansas City routs Union Omaha to reach Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinals |url=https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mls/sporting-kc/article262769018.html |work=The Kansas City Star |accessdate=August 12, 2022}}
On January 25, 2024, the club announced their plans to build a dedicated soccer stadium in Downtown Omaha.{{Cite press release |date=January 25, 2024 |title=Alliance Sports Announces Vision for Union Omaha With Cutting-Edge Stadium |url=https://www.unionomaha.com/news/2024/01/25/proposed-union-omaha-stadium-development/ |publisher=Union Omaha |access-date=January 25, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Crisler |first=Dan |date=January 25, 2024 |title=New soccer stadium, mixed-use district planned for north downtown Omaha |url=https://omaha.com/news/local/business/development/new-soccer-stadium-mixed-use-district-coming-to-north-downtown-omaha/article_66afd480-bba2-11ee-ae41-878b00730246.html |work=Omaha World-Herald |accessdate=January 30, 2024}} On November 17, 2024, Union Omaha won its second USL League One title, defeating expansion team Spokane Velocity FC 3–0.{{cite news |last=Clark |first=Colton |date=November 17, 2024 |title=Spokane Velocity outmatched by Union Omaha in USL1 championship 3-0; remain 'proud of what we achieved this year' |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/nov/17/spokane-velocity-outmatched-by-union-omaha-in-usl1/ |work=The Spokesman-Review |accessdate=January 9, 2025}}
Crest
The team's name and crest were developed through fan engagement including town halls, workshops, interviews, and online polls to reflect the entire Omaha region.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prosoccerusa.com/usl/omaha-nebraska-will-field-a-usl-league-one-team-in-2020/|title=USL League One expanding to Omaha, Nebraska in 2020|last1=Northam|first1=Mitchell|date=May 2, 2019|website=Pro Soccer USA|language=en-US|access-date=June 19, 2019}} In a bid to stay true to the roots of both the state and city, the team announced on October 3, 2019, the new name as a nod to the Union Pacific Railroad, with the great horned owl, a species of owl native to Nebraska, being the prominent focal point of the club's crest. The logo was designed by Matthew Wolff.{{Cite web|url=https://www.omaha.com/sports/local-sports/introducing-union-omaha-pro-soccer-team-unveils-colors-crest-name/article_3a69fbba-e3f9-5d6e-a92a-3c84c85fec03.html|title=Introducing Union Omaha: Pro soccer team unveils colors, crest, name ahead of city's USL debut|first=Reece|last=Ristau|website=Omaha.com|date=October 3, 2019 |language=en|access-date=October 4, 2019}}
The star above the crest represents Union Omaha's first USL League One title, and was added following their 2021 title win.
Stadium
The team plays in Werner Park, a baseball park south west of Omaha in the suburb of Papillion.{{Cite web|url=https://www.omaha.com/sports/local-sports/pro-soccer-is-coming-to-omaha-new-team-will-begin/article_fe99e9cb-7dbe-5cee-8817-626b4124945f.html|title=Pro soccer is coming to Omaha: New team will begin play at Werner Park in 2020|first=Chris|last=Peters|website=Omaha.com|date=May 2019 |language=en|access-date=June 19, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://journalstar.com/sports/local/other-sports/omaha-lands-usl-soccer-franchise-will-begin-play-in/article_3d38d0c1-b650-597b-ab6e-fc8a744c4ee9.html|title=Omaha lands USL soccer franchise, will begin play in 2020|last=Star|first=Lincoln Journal|website=JournalStar.com|date=May 2019 |language=en|access-date=June 19, 2019}} The Sarpy County owned stadium was opened {{Time ago|2011|spellout=y}} in 2011, and is shared with the Omaha Storm Chasers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The ballpark cost $36 million to construct and is located near 126th Street and Highway 370, less than {{convert|3|mi|0|spell=in}} west of Papillion in unincorporated Sarpy County.{{cite web|url=http://omaha.com/article/20090602/NEWS01/306029857|title=ROYALS' NEW BALLPARK: Sarpy's funding plan is complex|date=June 2, 2009|publisher=Omaha World Herald|access-date=June 10, 2009}} Werner Park received additional locker rooms, field enhancements, and offices to accommodate the soccer operations. During the 2022 U.S. Open Cup, the team hosted Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC at Caniglia Field, located on the campus of the University of Nebraska at Omaha.{{Cite web |title=2022 US Open Cup Round 4: Union Omaha $25,000 richer after win over Northern Colorado Hailstorm |url=https://thecup.us/2022/05/12/2022-us-open-cup-round-4-union-omaha-25000-richer-after-win-over-northern-colorado-hailstorm/ |access-date=May 13, 2022 |website=thecup.us |date=May 12, 2022 |language=en-US}}
=New stadium=
In January 2024, the team announced plans to build a dedicated 7,000-seat stadium in the Riverfront area of east downtown Omaha along the Missouri River, southeast of the intersection of Abbott Drive and Riverfront Drive near the CHI Health Center and Charles Schwab Field. The stadium, with an estimated cost of $60 million, was originally intended to be part of a planned $300 million housing and entertainment district, and was scheduled to open in spring 2026. In January 2025, team owner Gary Green stated that plans had changed and the Riverfront site was no longer under consideration, but also said that the team was still “fully committed to building a downtown professional soccer stadium for Omaha.”{{cite news |last1=McKnight|first1=Mike|last2=Dvorak|first2=Gina|date=January 17, 2025|title=Location of future Union Omaha soccer stadium in flux|url=https://www.wowt.com/2025/01/18/location-future-union-omaha-soccer-stadium-flux/|work=WOWT|location=Omaha, NE|access-date=January 22, 2025}}
Sponsorship
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" |
| style="background-color:#010101; color:#BDDF28;" scope="col"|Period
!style="background-color:#010101; color:#BDDF28;" scope="col"|Kit manufacturer !style="background-color:#010101; color:#BDDF28;" scope="col"|Shirt sponsor |
|---|
| 2020
| rowspan="2" | Nike | CHI Health (home) |
| 2021–2022
| rowspan="2" | XCancer |
| 2023
| rowspan="2" | Hummel |
| 2024–present
| Centris Federal Credit Union |
= Uniform evolution =
Home: 2020–present
| width|85%|
| {{Football kit | pattern_la = | pattern_b = _nike1718gk_black | pattern_ra = | pattern_sh = | pattern_so = | leftarm = 000000 | body = 000000 | rightarm = 000000 | shorts = 000000 | socks = 000000 | title = 2020 }} | {{Football kit | pattern_la = | pattern_b = _uomaha21h | pattern_ra = | pattern_sh = | pattern_so = | leftarm = 000000 | body = 000000 | rightarm = 000000 | shorts = 000000 | socks = 000000 | title = 2021–2022 }} | {{Football kit | pattern_la = | pattern_b =_uomaha23h | pattern_ra = | pattern_sh = | pattern_so = | leftarm = 000000 | body = 000000 | rightarm = 000000 | shorts = ceff00 | socks = 000000 | title = 2023 }} | {{Football kit | pattern_la = | pattern_b = fffff | pattern_ra = | pattern_sh = | pattern_so = | leftarm = 000000 | body = 000000 | rightarm = 000000 | shorts = 000000 | socks = 000000 | title = 2024 }} |
Away: 2020–present
| width|85%|
| {{Football kit | pattern_la = _Kit_shorts_black_color_USPF | pattern_b = _Kit_body_nikewhiteshoulders | pattern_ra = | pattern_sh = _nike1718gk_black | pattern_so = | leftarm = | body = | rightarm = | shorts = 000000 | socks = | title = 2020–2021 }} | {{Football kit | pattern_la = | pattern_b = _nikechallenge3v | pattern_ra = | pattern_sh = | pattern_so = | leftarm = CDFF00 | body = CDFF00 | rightarm = CDFF00 | shorts = FFFFFF | socks = CDFF00 | title = 2021–2022 }} | {{Football kit | pattern_la = | pattern_b = _thin_black_hoops | pattern_ra = | pattern_sh = _black_thinstripe_color | pattern_so = | leftarm = fff | body = | rightarm = fff | shorts = | socks = fff | title = 2022–2023 }} | {{Football kit | pattern_la = _whiteborder | pattern_b = _blackvertical | pattern_ra = _whiteborder | pattern_sh = _black_thinstripe_color | pattern_so = | leftarm = cefe02 | body = cefe03 | rightarm = cefe03 | shorts = | socks = ceff00 | title = 2023–2024 }} | {{Football kit | pattern_la = _purpleborder | pattern_b = _purplecollar | pattern_ra = _purpleborder | pattern_sh = | pattern_so = | leftarm = fff | body = ffff | rightarm = fff | shorts = | socks = ffff | title = 2024- }} |
Players
{{updated|April 17, 2025|{{cite web|url=https://www.unionomaha.com/roster/ |title=Roster |publisher=Union Omaha |access-date=February 6, 2024}} }}
{{fs start|nonumber=|bg=010101|color=BDDF28|border=BDDF28}}
{{Fs player|no=3|nat=USA|name=Blake Malone|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=5|nat=ITA|name=Marco Milanese|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=7|nat=USA|name=Joe Gallardo|pos=MF}}
{{fs player|no=8|nat=ESP|name=Sergio Ors Navarro|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=9|nat=ALG|name=Mehdi Ouamri|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=10|nat=GHA|name=Prosper Kasim|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=12|nat=USA|name=Russell Shealy|pos=GK}}
{{fs player|no=13|nat=USA|name=Anderson Holt|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=14|nat=USA|name=Brent Kallman|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=15|nat=USA|name=Brandon Knapp|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=16|nat=ENG|name=Laurence Wootton|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=18|nat=USA|name=Mark Bronnik|pos=FW}}
{{fs mid|nonumber=|bg=010101|color=BDDF28|border=BDDF28}}
{{Fs player|no=19|nat=USA|name=Josh Ramsey|other=on loan from Lexington SC|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=20|nat=USA|name=Charlie Ostrem|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=21|nat=MEX|name=Aarón Gómez|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=23|nat=GER|name=Max Schneider|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=24|nat=GHA|name=Rashid Nuhu|pos=GK}}
{{Fs player|no=26|nat=USA|name=Dion Acoff|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=27|nat=SSD|name=Ryen Jiba|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=30|nat=USA|name=Isidro Martinez|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=36|nat=USA|name=Cole Jensen|pos=GK}}
{{Fs player|no=70|nat=USA|name=Lagos Kunga|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=95|nat=FRA|name=Kemy Amiche|pos=MF}}
{{fs end|nonumber=|bg=010101|color=BDDF28|border=BDDF28}}
Staff
= Current staff =
| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2" |Coaching staff |
| {{flagicon|ENG}} Dominic Casciato
|Head coach |
| {{flagicon|SSD}} Ladulé Lako LoSarah
|Assistant coach |
| {{flagicon|Colombia}} Vincenzo Candela
|Assistant coach |
| colspan="2" |Front Office |
|---|
| {{flagicon|USA}} Martie Cordaro
|President |
| {{flagicon|USA}} Alexis Boulos
|General Manager |
Statistics and records
= Year-by-year =
{{updated|November 17, 2024}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
! rowspan="2" scope="col" |Season ! colspan="9" scope="col" |USL League One ! rowspan="2" scope="col" |Playoffs ! rowspan="2" scope="col" |US Open Cup ! colspan="2" scope="col" |Top Scorer |
| {{tooltip|P|Games played}}
!{{tooltip|W|Games won}} !{{tooltip|D|Games drawn}} !{{tooltip|L|Games lost}} !{{tooltip|GF|Goals for}} !{{tooltip|GA|Goals against}} !{{tooltip|Pts|Points}} !{{tooltip|PPG|Points per game}} !{{tooltip|Position|Position}} ! class="unsortable" |Player ! class="unsortable" |Goals |
|---|
| 2020
|16 |8 |5 |3 |20 |15 |29 |1.81 |bgcolor=silver|2nd |bgcolor=silver|F |{{flagicon|USA}} Evan Conway |6 |
| 2021
|28 |14 |9 |5 |44 |22 |51 |1.82 |bgcolor=gold|1st |bgcolor=gold|W |{{flagicon|SCO}} Greg Hurst |14 |
| 2022
|30 |10 |13 |7 |34 |33 |43 |1.43 |5th |QF |QF |{{flagicon|USA}} Noe Meza |9 |
| 2023
|32 |19 |8 |5 |61 |41 |65 |2.03 |bgcolor=gold|1st |SF |{{flagicon|CPV}} Steevan Dos Santos |13 |
| 2024
|22 |15 |3 |4 |47 |24 |48 |2.18 |bgcolor=gold|1st |bgcolor=gold|W |Ro32 |{{flagicon|BRA}} Pedro Dolabella |11 |
| Total
!128 !66 !38 !24 !206 !135 !236 !1.84 !– !– !– !{{flagicon|USA}} Noe Meza !23 |
= Head coaches record =
{{updated|September 7, 2024}}
- Includes Regular Season, Playoffs, Jägermeister Cup, U.S. Open Cup. Excludes friendlies.
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"
!Name !Nationality !From ! class="unsortable" |To !P !W !D !L !GF !GA !Win% |
| scope="row" style="text-align:left" |Jay Mims
| align="left" |{{USA}} | align="left" |{{dts|2019|May|1|format=mdy}} | align="left" |{{dts|2022|December|16|format=mdy}} {{WDL|82|38|27|17|for=115|against=82}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:left" |Dominic Casciato
| align="left" |{{ENG}} | align="left" |{{dts|2023|January|17|format=mdy}} | align="left" |Present {{WDL|62|37|10|15|for=124|against=84}} |
=Average attendance=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; margin-left: lem;"
! Year !! Reg. Season !! Playoffs |
| 2020
| {{formatnum:{{#expr: ((2400+2400+2400+2400+2500+2600+2600+2700)/8) round 0}}}} | – |
| 2021
| {{formatnum:{{#expr: ((2786+3677+3315+3880+3304+3722+3311+2722+3741+3126+3884+3197+2943)/13) round 0}}}} | {{formatnum:{{#expr: ((3607+5221)/2) round 0}}}} |
| 2022
|3,911 |– |
| 2023
|3,030 |2,217 |
| 2024
|3,206 |{{formatnum:{{#expr: ((2245+3053+5849)/3) round 0}}}} |
Honors
=Individual honors=
| class="wikitable"
!Year !Player !Country !Position !Honor |
| rowspan=4|2020
|{{flagicon|USA}} United States |Midfielder |All-League First Team |
| Damià Viader
|{{flagicon|ESP}} Spain |Defender |All-League First Team |
| Ethan Vanacore-Decker
|{{flagicon|USA}} United States |Forward |All-League Second Team |
| Rashid Nuhu
|{{flagicon|GHA}} Ghana |Goalkeeper |All-League Second Team |
| rowspan=5|2021
|{{flagicon|ESP}} Spain |Defender |Defender of the Year |
| Rashid Nuhu
|{{flagicon|GHA}} Ghana |Goalkeeper |Goalkeeper of the Year |
| Greg Hurst
|{{flagicon|SCO}} Scotland |Forward |All-League First Team |
| Devin Boyce
|{{flagicon|USA}} United States |Midfielder |All-League Second Team |
| Evan Conway
|{{flagicon|USA}} United States |Forward |All-League Second Team |
| rowspan=2|2022
|{{flagicon|GHA}} Ghana |Goalkeeper |Golden Glove Award |
| JP Scearce
|{{flagicon|USA}} United States |Midfielder |All-League First Team |
| rowspan=6|2023
|{{flagicon|ENG}} England |Coach |Coach of the Year |
| JP Scearce{{cite web |url=https://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1289854 |title=USL League One Announces 2023 All-League Teams |date=October 31, 2023 |website=www.USLLeagueOne.com |publisher=USL League One |access-date=November 1, 2023}}
|{{flagicon|USA}} United States |Midfielder |All-League First Team |
| Alexis Souahy
|{{flagicon|COM}} Comoros |Defender |All-League First Team |
| Steevan Dos Santos
|{{flagicon|CPV}} Cape Verde |Forward |All-League Second Team |
| Noe Meza
|{{flagicon|USA}} United States |Forward |All-League Second Team |
| Dion Acoff
|{{flagicon|USA}} United States |Defender |All-League Second Team |
| rowspan=2|2024
|{{flagicon|ENG}} England |Coach |Coach of the Year |
| Pedro Dolabella{{Cite web|title=USL League One Announces 2024 All-League Teams|url=https://www.uslleagueone.com/news_article/show/1322782|publisher=USL League One|website=USLLeagueOne.com |date=November 7, 2024|access-date=November 7, 2024}}
|{{flagicon|BRA}} Brazil |Midfielder |All-League First Team |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.unionomahasc.com/}}
{{USL League One}}
{{Union Omaha squad}}
{{Nebraska Sports}}
Category:Association football clubs established in 2019
Category:2019 establishments in Nebraska