It’s 2021 League One Champions versus 2022 League One Champions Saturday as Union Omaha hosts South Georgia Tormenta FC for the first time this season. It’s another quick turnaround for the Owls, who snagged another point with a 1-1 draw against League One expansion side One Knoxville SC on Wednesday. Noe Meza scored his 7th goal of the season, the 2nd most in the league, to put the Owls up early in the second half. Omaha would hold the lead all the way until the opening minutes of stoppage time, when a tough call awarded Knoxville a penalty and chance to convert for the equalizer. Tormenta, like Omaha, comes in hungry for a win after three straight draws. Both teams will be looking to capture a statement win tonight in the quest to hoist the League One trophy again at the end of the year.
EARLY BIRDS
Now nearly halfway through the League One season, it’s clear that the Owls know how to score and score early. Omaha has scored first in 7 of its 12 matches, including both wins on the year, and has led at the half on five occasions. In five of those matches, the offense opening the scoring within the first 25 minutes of play. The Owls have found success applying pressure early, holding a majority of the possession while using challenging crosses into the box to test opposing defenses straight from kickoff. The offense has proven itself to be dynamic and efficient so far, but the key to getting back in the win column for the Owls will be keeping that same toughness on the defensive side to close out games.
SERIES HISTORY
In seven previous fixtures, Union Omaha has never lost to South Georgia Tormenta FC, holding an all-time record of 4-0-3 against the Ibises. The teams drew 0-0 in Statesboro and 1-1 in Papillion, with the Owls taking the season series thanks to a 3-2 win on the road, one that kickstarted the Owls’ club-record 11-match unbeaten streak. Joe Brito and Conor Doyle scored a goal apiece against Tormenta last season, while JP Scearce recorded his first brace of the season in the June 25, 2022, match-up.
ABOUT SOUTH GEORGIA TORMENTA FC
The defending champions have had an up-and-down season thus far sitting at 4-5-3 but are a dangerous team nonetheless, especially with 2022 League One Finals MVP and All-League Second Team selection Kazaiah Sterling back from injury. In his early absence, Pedro Fonseca and Jackson Khoury have taken over a majority of the goal-scoring duties, each with a trio of goals to their names. Experienced goalkeepers Pablo Jara and TJ Bush have been splitting shifts for the Ibises in between the posts. Owl fans can also expect to see some familiar faces tonight, with John Murphy, Tobias Otiento and Daltyn Knutson making their returns to Werner Park.
