PAPILLION, NEB. (Wednesday, April 21, 2021) – Union Omaha announced today three new additions to its 2021 roster, pending federation and league approval. The club has a total of 21 players ahead of the 2021 season set to begin on Saturday, April 24, at 6 p.m. against South Georgia Tormenta FC at Werner Park.
Emir Alihodžić – Joins the club having most recently played for Fresno FC 2019, where he made 21 appearances after coming back to the country in 2018 from Miadost Doboj Kakanj of Bosnia. Then, in 2017, Alihodžić signed with Saint Louis FC, formerly of the USL Championship. At the start of his career, Alihodžić signed his first professional contract with Seattle Sounders FC 2, of the USL Championship after he was selected in the third round of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft by Seattle Sounders FC. Alihodžić was the first University of Nebraska Omaha-player to be drafted to MLS after playing under Coach Jay Mims for four seasons.
Phonetic pronunciation of last name: [AH-LEE-HOD-ZITCH)
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 170 lbs
Born: September 2, 1993 (27 yrs old)
Hometown: Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
John Murphy – Joins the club after playing with Loudoun United FC during its inaugural season in 2019. Prior to that, he played for New York Red Bulls II. Murphy has also represented the U.S. National Team at the U-15, U-16 and U-17 levels. He has also trained with Ireland’s U-18 National Team as he holds dual eligibility.
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 165 lbs
Born: April 19, 2000 (21 yrs old)
Hometown: Scotch Plains, New Jersey
Nicolas (Nick) Firmino – Joins the club from New England Revolution II after coming through the New England Revolution youth academy. Firmino made his professional debut on July 25, 2020 against Union Omaha. He played 1,362 minutes over the 2020 USL League One season, scoring three goals (including one against Union Omaha at Werner Park) and providing two assists. Also in 2020, Firmino was League One’s Young Player of the Year award.
Phonetic pronunciation of last name: [FUR-MEE-NO)
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 160 lbs
Born: January 30, 2001 (20 yrs old)
Hometown: Mantena, Brazil
“I am excited to welcome these three guys to the club,” said Union Omaha Head Coach, Jay Mims. “John is a young, tough midfielder who works hard every day. He will really develop in our competitive environment over time, and we are excited about his future. Emir is an experienced player who will help us right away. He has a great soccer IQ and is always trying to get better. Nick is a young, talented player who has a great upside. Since the first day Nick came here, he showed right away that he fits into our core values, style of play, and most importantly, club culture.”
ABOUT UNION OMAHA
Union Omaha, a member of USL League One, is the only professional soccer team in the state of Nebraska. USL League One is a United States Soccer Federation-sanctioned professional men’s soccer league that occupies the third tier of the American soccer landscape, below USL Championship (tier two) and Major League Soccer (tier one). Union Omaha plays its home matches at Werner Park in Sarpy County, also home to the Omaha Storm Chasers of Minor League Baseball. The team is led by Head Coach Jay Mims on the field and by Peter Marlette in the front office.
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