Union Omaha

Soccer club

Union Omaha

Full name| Union Omaha Soccer Club
Nickname(s)| The Owls, Los Búhos
Founded| May 1, 2019; 6 years ago (2019-05-01)
Stadium| Werner Park, Papillion, Nebraska
Capacity| 9,023
Owner| Gary Green
Head coach| Vincenzo Candela (interim)
League| USL League One
2024| 1st of 12
Playoffs: Champions
Website| www.unionomaha.com

Home colors

Away colors

|

Current season

Union Omaha Soccer Club is an American professional soccer team based in Omaha, Nebraska. Nicknamed the Owls, the team made its debut in USL League One (USL1) in 2020.

In the clubs first five seasons, the Owls finished in first place in the league three times and defeated two MLS sides during the 2022 U.S. Open Cup. Along with those achievements, Union Omaha won the league championship in just the second season of the club's existence and again in 2024.

## History

[edit]

In 2019, USL1 awarded a franchise to Alliance Omaha Soccer Holdings to begin play in the 2020 season.[1] The decision to bring the league to Omaha, Nebraska, came as part of the USL's initiative to bring teams to communities without professional soccer.[1]

An addition more than two years in the making finally became a reality in October 2019, when Alliance Omaha Soccer unveiled the team's name, colors and crest design.[1][2]

Prior to its inaugural season, Union Omaha named former University of Nebraska Omaha head soccer coach Jay Mims the club's first manager.[1][3] Mims took the Owls to the playoffs in all three of his seasons at the helm and managed to get the club to the League One Finals in both 2020 and 2021.[4] He remained in charge until his resignation on Dec. 16, 2022.[4]

Union Omaha finished the 2020 season in second place and qualified for the USL1 championship game. However, the match was canceled due to an outbreak of COVID-19 within the team's roster.[5]

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.[6] Union Omaha then finished the season winning their first ever championship, beating defending champion Greenville Triumph SC 3–0 in the final.[7]

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.[8] 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.[9][10] 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.[11]

After slipping to fifth in the standings and losing in the quarterfinals in 2022, Mims stepped down and the club announced the hiring of Dominic Casciato to take his place. In his first season in charge, Casciato led Union Omaha to 14 consecutive wins to finish the season.[12] The Owls eventually lost in the semifinals of the playoffs, but their 14 straight wins helped them earn the USL League One Players' Shield given out to the team sitting atop the league standings at the end of the regular season.

On Jan. 25, 2024, the club announced their plans to build a dedicated soccer stadium in Downtown Omaha.[13][14]

Then, on Nov. 17, 2024, Union Omaha won its second USL League One title, defeating expansion team Spokane Velocity FC 3–0.[15] In front of the largest crowd in USL League One Finals history, the Owls became the first USL League One club to win a second championship.[16] Union Omaha also won their third USL League One Players' Shield in 2024.

## Honors

[edit]

Four Owls' earned USL League One All-League honors in the club's first season. Out of the four, defender Damia Viader and midfielder Evan Conway made the All-League First Team.[17] Viader finished the season top three at his position in chances created and tackles won. Conway created 16 chances and won the most duels of any player in the league. Goalkeeper Rashid Nuhu and forward Ethan Vanacore-Decker made the All-League Second Team.

Union Omaha saw five players earn All-League honors after winning the championship in 2021.[18] Viader and forward Greg Hurst featured on the All-League First Team while Conway, Nuhu and midfielder Devin Boyce made the All-League Second Team. Hurst led the team with 13 goals, and Nuhu won the League One Golden Glove award given out to the goalkeeper deemed the best in the league.

In 2022, only Nuhu and midfielder JP Scearce earned All-League honors, but both appeared on the All-League First Team.[19] Nuhu won the Golden Glove award for the second straight season and finally the jump to the First Team. Scearce recorded 225 duel wins and led the league in that category.

The Owls bounced back in 2023 by putting more players than any other club on the All-League teams with five.[20] Scearce made a second consecutive appearance on the All-League First Team. Defender Alexis Souahy joined him and defender Dion Acoff, forward Steevan Dos Santos and forward Noe Meza all made the All-League Second Team.

After winning the league in 2024, Union Omaha only had one player make an appearance on the All-League teams. Midfielder Pedro Dolabella won 107 duels and recorded 14 goal contributions to make the All-League First Team.[21]

Both Mims and Casciato also earned honors throughout the club's first five seasons. The league awarded Mims USL League One Coach of the Year honors following the Owls 2021 championship season.[4] Two seasons later, Casciato earned USL League One Coach of the Year honors in his first season in charge of the team. Then, he led the Owls to their second league championship and won the award in back-to-back years.[12]

## Club Icons

[edit]

Mims brought the Owls their first league championship and left a lasting impact as the first manager of a USL1 side to lead his team to victory over an MLS team in the U.S. Open Cup.[8] He did so twice during the 2022 season before resigning at the end of the year.

Casciato made his mark in each of his first two seasons in charge, winning the league and finishing first in the standings at the end of both regular seasons.[12]

## Crest

[edit]

The team developed its name and crest through fan engagement including town halls, workshops, interviews and online polls to reflect the entire Omaha region.[1][22] In a bid to stay true to the roots of both the state and city, the team announced its new name on Oct. 3, 2019, in a nod to the Union Pacific Railroad.

The great horned owl, a species of owl native to Nebraska, is the prominent focal point of the club's crest. Designed by Matthew Wolff,[23] the three stars to the left of the owl represent the supporters, the city and the purpose of the club.[2]

The Owls' chose the color black as a symbol of power, white to represent new beginnings and lightning yellow as a representation of striking with speed.[2]

The star above the crest represents Union Omaha's first USL League One title. Any other titles they win in the future will be represented in that way as well.

## Club ownership

[edit]

Union Omaha is owned and operated by Alliance Sports. Founded in 2008 by Gary Green and Larry Botel, Alliance Sports owns multiple minor league baseball teams.[24]

The Owls ownership group now also includes founder and chairman of Carson Group Ron Carson.[25] Carson officially joined the club in August 2024 and is now working with Alliance Sports, the ownership group formerly in charge of the Omaha Storm Chasers,[26] to run the club.

## Stadium

[edit]

Werner Park Entrance

The team plays at Werner Park, a baseball park located southwest of Omaha in the suburb of Papillion.[1][27][28] The Sarpy County owned stadium opened fourteen years ago 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 St. and Highway 370, less than three miles (5 km) west of Papillion in unincorporated Sarpy County.[29]

Werner Park received additional locker rooms, field enhancements, and offices to accommodate the soccer operations.

Image taken on Thursday May 1, 2025, of Caniglia Field. It is located on the University of Nebraska-Omaha's campus and occasionally the site of Union Omaha home games.

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.[30]

## New stadium

[edit]

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.[13]

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.”[31]

## Sponsorship

[edit]

Period  | Kit manufacturer  | Shirt sponsor

|
|

2020  | Nike | CHI Health (home)
Nebraska Medicine (away)
2021–2022  | XCancer
2023  | Hummel
2024–present  | Centris Federal Credit Union

### Uniform evolution

[edit]

Home: 2020–present

2020

2021–2022

2023

2024

|
|
|

Away: 2020–present

2020–2021

2021–2022

2022–2023

2023–2024

2024-

|
|
|
|

## Players

[edit]

As of august 04, 2025[32]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

3  | DF |  USA | Blake Malone
5  | DF |  ITA | Marco Milanese
7  | MF |  USA | Joe Gallardo
8  | FW |  ESP | Sergio Ors Navarro
9  | FW |  ALG | Mehdi Ouamri
10  | FW |  GHA | Prosper Kasim
13  | DF |  USA | Anderson Holt
14  | DF |  USA | Brent Kallman
15  | MF |  USA | Brandon Knapp
16  | MF |  ENG | Laurence Wootton
18  | FW |  USA | Mark Bronnik
19  | DF |  USA | Josh Ramsey (on loan from Lexington SC)
| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

20  | DF |  USA | Charlie Ostrem
21  | FW |  MEX | Aarón Gómez
23  | MF |  GER | Max Schneider
24  | GK |  GHA | Rashid Nuhu
26  | DF |  USA | Dion Acoff
27  | DF |  SSD | Ryen Jiba
28  | MF |  USA | Ryan Becher (on loan from St. Louis City 2)
29  | FW |  BRA | Stéfano Pinho
30  | MF |  USA | Isidro Martinez
36  | GK |  USA | Cole Jensen
70  | FW |  USA | Lagos Kunga
95  | MF |  FRA | Kemy Amiche

## Staff

[edit]

### Current staff

[edit]

Coaching staff

Vincenzo Candela | Interim Head coach
Ladulé Lako LoSarah | Assistant coach
N/A  | Assistant coach
Front Office
Martie Cordaro  | President
Alexis Boulos  | General Manager

## Statistics and records

[edit]

### Year-by-year

[edit]

As of November 17, 2024
Season  | USL League One | Playoffs  | US Open Cup | Top Scorer

|
|
|
|

P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | PPG | Position | Player  | Goals
2020 | 16  | 8  | 5  | 3  | 20  | 15  | 29  | 1.81  | 2nd  | F  | Cancelled |  Evan Conway | 6
2021 | 28  | 14  | 9  | 5  | 44  | 22  | 51  | 1.82  | 1st  | W  | Cancelled |  Greg Hurst | 14
2022 | 30  | 10  | 13  | 7  | 34  | 33  | 43  | 1.43  | 5th  | QF  | QF |  Noe Meza | 9
2023 | 32  | 19  | 8  | 5  | 61  | 41  | 65  | 2.03  | 1st  | SF  | Third Round |  Steevan Dos Santos | 13
2024 | 22  | 15  | 3  | 4  | 47  | 24  | 48  | 2.18  | 1st  | W  | Ro32 |  Pedro Dolabella | 11
Total  | 128  | 66  | 38  | 24  | 206  | 135  | 236  | 1.84  | –  | –  | –  |  Noe Meza | 23

### Head coaches record

[edit]

As of September 7, 2024

* Includes Regular Season, Playoffs, Jägermeister Cup, U.S. Open Cup. Excludes friendlies.

Name  | Nationality  | From  | To  | P  | W  | D  | L  | GF  | GA  | Win%

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Jay Mims |  United States | May 1, 2019 | December 16, 2022 | 82 | 38 | 27 | 17 | 115 | 82 | 046.34
Dominic Casciato  |  England | January 17, 2023 | July 8, 2025 | 62 | 37 | 10 | 15 | 124 | 84 | 059.68
Vincenzo Candela (interim)  |  Colombia |

July 8, 2025

| Present  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | !—

### Average attendance

[edit]

Year | Reg. Season | Playoffs

|
|

2020 | 2,500  | –
2021 | 3,354  | 4,414
2022 | 3,911  | –
2023 | 3,030  | 2,217
2024 | 3,206  | 3,716

## Honors

[edit]

* USL League One playoffs
* Champions: 2021, 2024
* USL League One Regular Season
* Players' Shield: 2021, 2023, 2024

### Individual honors

[edit]

Year  | Player  | Country  | Position  | Honor

|
|
|
|

2020  | Evan Conway |  United States  | Midfielder  | All-League First Team
Damià Viader |  Spain  | Defender  | All-League First Team
Ethan Vanacore-Decker |  United States  | Forward  | All-League Second Team
Assists Champion
Rashid Nuhu |  Ghana  | Goalkeeper  | All-League Second Team
2021  | Damià Viader |  Spain  | Defender  | Defender of the Year
All-League First Team
League Finals MVP
Rashid Nuhu |  Ghana  | Goalkeeper  | Goalkeeper of the Year
Golden Glove Award
All-League Second Team
Greg Hurst |  Scotland  | Forward  | All-League First Team
Devin Boyce |  United States  | Midfielder  | All-League Second Team
Evan Conway |  United States  | Forward  | All-League Second Team
2022  | Rashid Nuhu |  Ghana  | Goalkeeper  | Golden Glove Award
Goalkeeper of the Year Award
All-League First Team
JP Scearce |  United States  | Midfielder  | All-League First Team
2023  | Dominic Casciato[33] |  England  | Coach  | Coach of the Year
JP Scearce[34] |  United States  | Midfielder  | All-League First Team
Alexis Souahy[34] |  Comoros  | Defender  | All-League First Team
Steevan Dos Santos[34] |  Cape Verde  | Forward  | All-League Second Team
Noe Meza[34] |  United States  | Forward  | All-League Second Team
Dion Acoff[34] |  United States  | Defender  | All-League Second Team
2024  | Dominic Casciato[35] |  England  | Coach  | Coach of the Year
Pedro Dolabella[36] |  Brazil  | Midfielder  | All-League First Team

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f USLLeagueOne com Staff (May 1, 2019). "Omaha Unveiled as USL League One's Newest Club". USL League One. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
2. ^ a b c USLLeagueOne.com Staff (October 3, 2019). "Union Omaha Unveiled as New League One Club's Name". USL1. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
3. ^ WOWT (May 2019). "USL League One comes to Omaha". www.wowt.com. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
4. ^ a b c Hobbs, Morgan (December 16, 2022). "Union Omaha Announces Resignation of Head Coach Jay Mims". unionomaha.com. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
5. ^ Smith, Rex (October 29, 2020). "Championship game canceled after multiple Union Omaha players test positive for COVID-19". WOWT. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
6. ^ Shinzel, Gene (October 23, 2021). "2021 USL League One season". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
7. ^ "Union Omaha wins first USL League One title in Owls' second season". Omaha World Herald. November 20, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
8. ^ a b Sigal, Jonathan (April 19, 2022). "Ezra Hendrickson reprimands Chicago Fire FC after US Open Cup exit to Union Omaha". MLSsoccer.com.
9. ^ "Union Omaha advances into the quarterfinals of U.S. Open Cup". June 2022.
10. ^ "Orlando City's U.S. Open Cup History". June 10, 2019.
11. ^ Sperry, Daniel (June 22, 2022). "Sporting Kansas City routs Union Omaha to reach Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinals". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
12. ^ a b c NPSL Media (March 12, 2025). "NPSL Alum Dominic Casciato Experiences Unprecedented Success at Union Omaha". National Premier Soccer League. Archived from the original on March 13, 2025. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
13. ^ a b "Alliance Sports Announces Vision for Union Omaha With Cutting-Edge Stadium" (Press release). Union Omaha. January 25, 2024. Archived from the original on January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
14. ^ Crisler, Dan (January 25, 2024). "New soccer stadium, mixed-use district planned for north downtown Omaha". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
15. ^ Clark, Colton (November 17, 2024). "Spokane Velocity outmatched by Union Omaha in USL1 championship 3-0; remain 'proud of what we achieved this year'". The Spokesman-Review. Archived from the original on January 9, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
16. ^ Will C. (November 18, 2024). "Union Omaha Soars to Second Title with 3-0 Championship Win". unionomaha.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 2024. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
17. ^ USLLeagueOne.com Staff (November 4, 2020). "2020 USL League One All-League Teams Revealed". USL1. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
18. ^ USLLeagueOne.com Staff (November 10, 2021). "USL League One Announces 2021 All-League Teams". USL1. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
19. ^ USLLeagueOne.com Staff (October 26, 2022). "USL League One Announces 2022 All-League Teams". USL1. Archived from the original on December 3, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
20. ^ USLLeagueOne.com Staff (October 31, 2023). "USL League One Announces 2023 All-League Teams". USL1. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
21. ^ USLLeagueOne.com Staff (November 7, 2024). "USL League One Announces 2024 All-League Teams". USL1. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
22. ^ Northam, Mitchell (May 2, 2019). "USL League One expanding to Omaha, Nebraska in 2020". Pro Soccer USA. Archived from the original on May 4, 2019. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
23. ^ Ristau, Reece (October 3, 2019). "Introducing Union Omaha: Pro soccer team unveils colors, crest, name ahead of city's USL debut". Omaha.com. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
24. ^ Will C. (July 18, 2024). "Alliance Sports Announces Development Manager and Design Firms For New Downtown Stadium". unionomaha.com. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
25. ^ Will C. (August 7, 2024). "Ron Carson joins Union Omaha ownership group". unionomaha.com. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
26. ^ Jackson Piercy (September 24, 2024). "Omaha Storm Chasers sold to new ownership group". First Alert 6. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
27. ^ Peters, Chris (May 2019). "Pro soccer is coming to Omaha: New team will begin play at Werner Park in 2020". Omaha.com. Archived from the original on August 11, 2019. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
28. ^ Star, Lincoln Journal (May 2019). "Omaha lands USL soccer franchise, will begin play in 2020". JournalStar.com. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
29. ^ "ROYALS' NEW BALLPARK: Sarpy's funding plan is complex". Omaha World Herald. June 2, 2009. Archived from the original on January 11, 2013. Retrieved June 10, 2009.
30. ^ "2022 US Open Cup Round 4: Union Omaha $25,000 richer after win over Northern Colorado Hailstorm". thecup.us. May 12, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
31. ^ McKnight, Mike; Dvorak, Gina (January 17, 2025). "Location of future Union Omaha soccer stadium in flux". WOWT. Omaha, NE. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
32. ^ "Roster". Union Omaha. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
33. ^ "Omaha's Dominic Casciato voted 2023 USL League One Coach of the Year". www.USLLeagueOne.com. USL League One. November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
34. ^ a b c d e "USL League One Announces 2023 All-League Teams". www.USLLeagueOne.com. USL League One. October 31, 2023. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
35. ^ "Union Omaha's Dominic Casciato voted 2024 USL League One Coach of the Year". USLLeagueOne.com. USL League One. November 15, 2023. Archived from the original on November 15, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
36. ^ "USL League One Announces 2024 All-League Teams". USLLeagueOne.com. USL League One. November 7, 2024. Retrieved November 7, 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

USL League One (2025)

Current teams|

* AV Alta FC
* Charlotte Independence
* Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
* Forward Madison FC
* Greenville Triumph SC
* One Knoxville SC
* FC Naples
* Union Omaha
* Portland Hearts of Pine
* Richmond Kickers
* Spokane Velocity
* Texoma FC
* Tormenta FC
* Westchester SC

Future teams|

* Athletic Club Boise (2026)
* Corpus Christi FC (2026)
* Fort Lauderdale United FC (2026)
* Fort Wayne FC (2026)
* New York Cosmos (2026)
* Sarasota Paradise (2026)
* USL Eugene (2026)

* v
* t
* e

Union Omaha - current squad

* 3 Malone
* 5 Milanese
* 7 Gallardo
* 8 Ors Navarro
* 9 Ouamri
* 10 Kasim
* 12 Shealy
* 13 Holt
* 14 Kallman
* 15 Knapp
* 16 Wootton
* 18 Bronnik
* 19 Ramsey
* 20 Ostrem
* 21 Gómez
* 23 Schneider
* 24 Nuhu
* 26 Acoff
* 27 Jiba
* 28 Becher
* 29 Pinho
* 30 Martinez
* 36 Jensen
* 70 Kunga
* 95 Amiche

* Head Coach: Casciato
* Assistant Coach: Losarah
* Assistant Coach: Candela
* Goalkeeping Coach: Estrada
* Video Coach: Nayeri

* v
* t
* e

Sports teams based in Nebraska

Baseball|

Omaha Storm Chasers

Lincoln Saltdogs

North Platte 80s

Football|

NAL
Omaha Beef

Hockey|

USHL
Lincoln Stars
Omaha Lancers
Tri-City Storm

Roller derby|

WFTDA
No Coast Derby Girls
Omaha Rollergirls

Soccer|

USL1
Union Omaha
GPPL
Nebraska Bugeaters FC

Volleyball|

LOVB
LOVB Omaha
PVF
Omaha Supernovas

College athletics|

| NCAA
Division I|

Creighton Bluejays
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Omaha Mavericks

|

NCAA
Division II|

Chadron State Eagles
Nebraska-Kearney Lopers
Wayne State Wildcats

Main article
Sports in Nebraska
*[No.]: Number
*[Pos.]: Position
*[DF]: Defender
*[MF]: Midfielder
*[FW]: Forward
*[GK]: Goalkeeper
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*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template