Experienced utility player made 44 USL Championship appearances in two years
PAPILLION, Neb. (January 31, 2023) – Union Omaha announced today the signing of defender Junior Palacios, pending league and federation approval. Palacios joins the roster following two years with Miami FC in USL Championship, helping the club to back-to-back playoff appearances.
Last season, the 26-year-old Colombian contributed to a stifling Miami defense that conceded just 35 goals in 34 games and accounted for 17 clean sheets — the second-most in USL Championship. Palacios is a versatile player on the pitch, deployed as a center midfielder, center back and right back in his time with Miami. Before joining Miami, Palacios spent time with multiple other clubs in Florida, including North American Soccer League side Fort Lauderdale Strikers and National Premier Soccer League side Boca Raton FC.
“Junior is an experienced player that’s been on my radar for a couple of years now,” Union Omaha Head Coach Dominic Casciato said. “He can play a number of different positions along the backline and in the midfield, which will prove invaluable over the course of our season. I’m sure our fans will love his mentality, and I’m looking forward to adding his leadership, will to win and quality to our team this season.”
“Junior is an athletic, versatile player with good experience in USL Championship,” Union Omaha General Manager Peter Marlette said. “We’re expecting him to make a big impact in League One no matter what position he lines up in for us.”
“I’m very happy to come to a club like Union Omaha,” Palacios said. “From the players to the coaching staff and the front office, we are committed to working hard and bringing joy to our fans.”
Phonetic pronunciation of name: [JOON-YOUR PA-LA-SEE-OHS]
Position: Defender
Height: 6’1
Weight: 185 lbs.
Date of birth: 7/26/1996
Born: Cali, Colombia
Previous Club: Miami FC (USL Championship)
Single-match tickets and season ticket memberships for the 2023 season are currently available via UnionOmaha.com or through the Werner Park Ticket Office by calling 402-738-5100.
ABOUT UNION OMAHA
Union Omaha, the 2021 USL League One Champions, 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 General Manager Peter Marlette in the front office and Head Coach Dominic Casciato on the field.
