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USL1 Union Omaha

Omaha Soars to Top of the Table with Statement Win Over Charlotte

October 5, 2023 - United Soccer League One (USL1)
Union Omaha News Release


PAPILLION, Neb. - A strong three-goal performance in the second half propelled Union Omaha back to the top of the table with a 4-1 victory over Charlotte Independence Wednesday night.

The Owls came into the contest searching for sole possession of first place, just a point back in the tight three-way hunt with a game in-hand, looking to put a stamp on their regular season home campaign for the season. In order to do so, they would have to defeat a challenging Charlotte side that just clinched its own playoff berth and would be on the quest for securing a hosting position.

As has become customary within the friendly confines of Werner Park, it was the Owls who struck first and early. Dion Acoff's signature run up the right side proved to be lethal once again, the wingback finding Joe Gallardo for the go-ahead punch-in 20 minutes in.

The Jacks were quick to equalize, with Tresor Mbuyu getting on the board just a minute later.

Braving through some early defensive pressure on both sides, the teams settled into the match for the rest of the first half, taking the 1-1 tie into the break.

Team-leading assist man Luis Gil nearly added to his total and helped Omaha retake the lead in the 59th minute, floating the ball to Steevan Dos Santos, whose header was kept out thanks to a fortunate Charlotte save.

The same connection ultimately gave the Owls the advantage in the 66th minute, with Dos Santos cashing in on a perfectly placed corner kick from Gil, giving the midfielder his 8th assist of the season.

Dos Santos went on to double his total for the night, earning himself a penalty and subsequently converting in the 90th minute to put the Owls up 3-1.

But the 34-year-old striker wasn't content to stop the scoring there. Pedro Dolabella found Dos Santos sandwiched between two defenders in the middle of the box, where the latter calmly slotted home the finish to put an exclamation point on the Owls' 10th straight win at home. The score marked just the third hat trick scored in League One this season.

"I do everything for the team," Dos Santos said. "I'm happy that I could help the team score and have another win, as well."

"Steevan is a great player," Union Omaha Head Coach Dominic Casciato said. "I think he's gone from strength to strength. You know, the more he's been with us, he's a leader. He's won everywhere he's been and there's a reason why he's had the career he's had."

The Owls close out their 2023 home campaign 11-2-3, having never been shut out at home and outscoring opponents 38-21. Omaha will now close out the regular season with two matches on the road against playoff contenders, first at South Georgia Tormenta Saturday, October 7, before ending at Forward Madison Saturday, October 14.

"I felt like the team did really well by getting four more goals tonight," Gallardo said. "We always talk about trying to get as many goals as possible and, you know, thankfully, second half, we came out with a more positive mentality, and I felt like we were more patient on the ball and it helped us create more chances and I feel like that was the difference in the second half."

"Great win tonight, really pleased for the guys and proud of the effort they put forward," Casciato said. "Obviously Charlotte are good side, really dangerous on the counter-attack and they've got good individuals, and I think in the second half we did a good job of controlling those counters and then obviously taking our own chances, so I'm really pleased and proud of the guys for their efforts and looking forward to the game against Tormenta on Saturday."

The Owls will return to Werner Park for their first USL League One playoff match, which will be a quarter-final match on October 20-22 or a semi-final on October 27-29, depending on where the team finishes in the regular season.

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