Omaha Shares Points with Madison in Season Opener
Published on March 26, 2023 under United Soccer League One (USL1)
Union Omaha News Release
PAPILLION, Neb. - Union Omaha opened up its 2023 season and quest for its fourth straight USL League One appearance with a 1-1 draw against Forward Madison Sunday afternoon.
Hours after the pitch was cleared of the overnight snow at Caniglia Field and 155 days after their last match, the Owls suited up to face off against their closest rivals in league play for the first match of the year. The first bird battle of the season marked Omaha's debut under new Head Coach Dominic Casciato, featuring a roster with plenty of new faces along with a solid returning core.
The first offensive attack of Omaha's season came in the 5th minute, with new signing Stefan Mueller curling a beautiful cross into the box for Alex Steinwascher to try and head into the net, one which Bern Scheppman was able to calmly collect.
Madison's Nazeem Bartman called Rashid Nuhu into action with a bending shot in the 17th minute, with the reigning Goalkeeper of the Year leaping into full extension and using his fingertips to keep the visitors off the scoreboard.
Noe Meza put Scheppman on notice in the 20th minute, the Owls' leading scorer last season driving past a wall of defenders to put his first shot on goal of the year. The deflection set up the Owls with a prime chance to take the lead as Luis Gil stepped up to take the corner kick. Just as he did last season and picking right back up where he left off, JP Scearce rose above the sea of pink and black to head home the Owls' first goal of the season in the 21st minute.
Joe Gallardo nearly doubled the advantage in the 24th minute, sending a rocket towards goal with a free kick that just narrowly missed over the top of goal.
Bartman again tested Nuhu, this time in 30th minute with a one-on-one battle which Nuhu was able to fend off for another brilliant save to keep the Flamingos scoreless.
A mistake by the Madison back line allowed Steinwascher to snag an interception and lead the counterattack, combining with Meza another dangerous chance, one that the latter lasered just wide of goal in the 39th minute.
The Owls were able to hold onto a clean sheet until the 55th minute, when Christian Chaney was able to sneak in a goal for the Pink and Blue and even the match at 1-1.
Much of the second half was spent on the defensive for the Owls, with the 'Mingos holding more of the possession than the first half.
Two-time Golden Glove winner Nuhu proved himself once again in the dwindling minutes of stoppage time, recording two more heroic saves to keep Madison from stealing three points at the death. In the end, the whistles blew for a 1-1 draw, marking the second consecutive season in which the Midwestern rivals shared points to open the year.
"It was great to get the season under way," Omaha Captain Conor Doyle said. "There are a lot of good things we can take from the game and a lot of things for us to learn going into the rest of the season. Being up 1-0, it's obviously a disappointment to let the lead slip, but we will take the point and look forward to next week."
"I think all the guys gave a great effort. It's gonna take time for us to gel 100 percent but I think the guys gave a great effort in buying into the ideas of how we want to play," Casciato said. "Obviously we wanted to get the win for the fans but couldn't quite pull it off today. I think we struggled to create chances in the second half, but I think we'll take a point and move on from here."
The Owls will be on the road for the next two weeks in league play, first traveling to League One newcomers One Knox SC on April 1 before they return to Caniglia Field to host North Carolina FC for Sweater Weather Night on April 15. Omaha will look to replicate its success in the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup when it kicks off its second campaign on April 5, hosting USL Championship member El Paso Locomotive FC at Morrison Stadium.
United Soccer League One Stories from March 26, 2023
- Omaha Shares Points with Madison in Season Opener - Union Omaha
- Forward Madison Draws 1-1, Gains Point in Omaha - Forward Madison FC
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