Team will feature in matches alongside Union Omaha against Forward Madison’s Unified team
PAPILLION, Neb. (July 6, 2022) – Union Omaha, in partnership with Special Olympics Nebraska, unveiled today its first-ever Unified soccer team. The athletes were announced at Friday’s Media Day, where they were welcomed by fans as they signed their official contracts. The squad will play first in Madison surrounding Union Omaha’s visit to Forward Madison on July 26 and again on August 31 at Werner Park when Omaha hosts Madison. Tickets for the August 31 match can be purchased at UnionOmaha.com.
The Unified Soccer series was created in 2022 between Union Omaha and Forward Madison in conjunction with Special Olympics Nebraska and Special Olympics Wisconsin. The series is the first of its kind within the United Soccer League (USL) and joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team to foster social inclusion through sports training and competition.
“Union Omaha is so happy to see this group of athletes compete representing our club and our city,” Union Omaha General Manager Peter Marlette said. “I was at both of the tryouts and saw a lot of potential in each of the players that were selected. I can’t wait to see what the coaches can do with this group of athletes.”
“Special Olympics Nebraska is very appreciative of the relationship we have developed with Union Omaha,” Special Olympics Nebraska Vice President of Programs Nate Parks said. “The signing day event was very special, and Union Omaha has made all of our athletes feel like they are part of the club. We can’t wait to get after it against the team from Special Olympics Wisconsin and Forward Madison FC.”
2022 Union Omaha Unified Team Roster:
Jersey # | Name | Position | Hometown |
1 | Adrian Ramos | Goalkeeper | South Sioux City, NE |
2 | David Montes | Defender | Dakota City, NE |
3 | Brian Garcia | Defender | South Sioux City, NE |
4 | Edson Irineo | Midfielder | South Sioux City, NE |
7 | Jack Irwin | Defender | Bellevue, NE |
8 | Connor Hoffman | Defender | Ashland, NE |
10 | Isiah Pope | Midfielder | Papillion, NE |
11 | Aldo Bravo | Midfielder | South Sioux City, NE |
12 | Matt Hoffman | Forward | Ashland, NE |
13 | Bailee Fought | Midfielder | Blair, NE |
14 | Osvaldo Magana | Midfielder | South Sioux City, NE |
15 | Devon Conley | Utility | South Sioux City, NE |
19 | Logan Tedrow | Forward | Bennington, NE |
21 | Seth Luesebrink | Defender | South Sioux City, NE |
22 | Marian Jazmin Oviedo | Defender | South Sioux City, NE |
23 | Seth Reisdorff | Forward | Papillion, NE |
24 | Carlos Magana | Utility | South Sioux City, NE |
26 | Garrett Stipke | Goalkeeper | Lincoln, NE |
About Union Omaha
Union Omaha, the 2021 USL League One Champion, 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). The 2022 League One Championship defending campaign is set to continue July 09 with a visit to North Carolina FC. 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 General Manager Peter Marlette in the front office and by Head Coach Jay Mims on the field.
About Special Olympics Nebraska
Special Olympics Nebraska is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, which was founded in 1972. The mission of Special Olympics Nebraska mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendships with their families, and other Special Olympics athletes and the community.