Union Omaha didn’t get the chance to finish its inaugural season in proper fashion. The Owls were riding a five-match unbeaten streak when positive COVID-19 tests within their ranks prompted the cancellation of their USL League One Final match against Greenville. The abrupt ending to an impressive debut campaign left Union Omaha with a sense of unfinished business in the offseason. Los Búhos make their return to the pitch on Saturday at 6 p.m. when they host Tormenta FC in their season opener at Werner Park. Coach Jay Mims returns 14 players from the team that went 8-3-5 and stunned League One as an expansion franchise in 2020. And he’s bolstered his club’s roster with some key additions, understanding the Owls will no longer be a surprise. Expectations for Los Búhos are soaring as the 2021 season begins.
UNBEATEN PRESEASON
Union Omaha wrapped up an unbeaten preseason with a 2-1 win over Sporting Kansas City II on Saturday afternoon at Werner Park, getting a pair of goals from returning midfielder JP Scearce. The victory was the third for the Owls against USL Championship teams during exhibition play. Union Omaha posted a pair of 2-1 wins over Phoenix Rising FC in March. It also played Minnesota United FC of Major League Soccer to a 1-1 draw.
ROAD WARRIORS
Saturday’s match against Tormenta FC will be the only one at Werner Park for Union Omaha until June. Los Búhos open a stretch of six consecutive road contests at Fort Lauderdale CF in their next outing on May 8. They then travel to New England, Greenville, Forward Madison (twice) and Toronto before hosting New England on June 12. The match against the reigning-champion Greenville Triumph on May 16 is slated to be broadcast on ESPN2, becoming the first nationally televised USL League One match.
SERIES HISTORY
Union Omaha went 1-0-1 against South Georgia during its inaugural USL League One season in 2020. Los Búhos rallied from a 2-0 halftime deficit to earn a 2-2 draw in Statesboro, Ga., on Sept. 12 to extend their franchise-opening unbeaten streak to eight matches. Union Omaha then blanked Tormenta FC 3-0 in the rematch at Werner Park on Oct. 4 behind goals from Evan Conway, Damià Viader and JP Scearce.
ABOUT TORMENTA FC
Tormenta FC, a founding member of USL League One, opened its 2021 season last Saturday with a 1-0 home loss to Fort Lauderdale CF. South Georgia surrendered the match’s lone goal in the first half and narrowly missed on two chances to draw level late. Adrian Billhardt’s header sailed over the crossbar in the 88th minute, and Marco Micaletto’s blast from the top of the box was redirected off target by a diving defender with only 73 seconds remaining. Micaletto and Luca Mayr-Fälten are Tomenta’s leading returning goal scorers, netting three each in 2020. South Georgia, which finished eighth in League One last year, posted a 2-3 record in exhibition matches, including a 3-0 loss to Atlanta United FC of Major League Soccer.