PAPILLION, Neb. – Union Omaha created a variety of chances but unfortunately, it was Richmond’s chance from a free-kick that decided the game, as Los Búhos lost 1-0 in front of a sold-out Werner Park on Saturday, Sept. 26. The Owls stay in fourth place and will look to bounce back mid-week.
Omaha came out of the gates firing on all cylinders, creating six goal-scoring opportunities in the first 20 minutes. The best coming from Elma Nfor, whose shot went just wide of the frame.
“I told the guys, that first half was the best half we’ve played all year, it was incredible,” said Coach Jay Mims. “We obviously didn’t score but I think it was 12 to 1 in shots and 7 to three in corners. We had the ball the whole time, we moved the ball well, we attacked well, and that was a big talking point, coming out well because we haven’t come out well lately and I thought the guys responded.”
The Kickers would come back, however, and took the lead in the 72’ minute through a clinical header from center-back Ivan Magalhães. Owls’ goalkeeper Rashid Nuhu then made several key stops to deny Richmond a second goal before full-time was called.
Not much time to sit and think about this one. Los Búhos are on to the next one mid-week, traveling to Florida to take on Fort Lauderdale CF on Wednesday, 7 p.m. CT.
Key Moments
5’ Ethan Vanacore-Decker whips in a short corner and his cross finds Ferrety Sousa’s head, but Sousa’s shot drifts just wide of the net.
7’ Elma Nfor receives the ball at the top of the Kickers penalty box, he takes a touch and fires off a shot that is oh-so-close to the bottom corner but drags wide.
12’ J.P. Searce with a cheeky backheel that almost puts N’For in one on one with the keeper after a scramble in the Richmond penalty area but the goalie is best to it.
27’ Devin Boyce dances past a couple of Richmond defenders into the heart of the Kickers box. He then lays the ball off Elma Nfor who has a shot but it’s saved by the keeper.
53’ Devin Boyce darts upfield again, takes a touch and rifles a shot toward goal. The keeper dives to his right and gets just enough on it to parry it away.
63’ Ferrety Sousa lines up a dangerous long-range shot that goes just wide of the goal.
67’ Ferrety Sousa is involved again, this time on the end of a Vanacore-Decker cross, but Sousa’s header goes over the bar.
72’ Ivan Magalhães for Richmond is waiting at the back post of a Kickers free-kick and he heads the ball in for the go-ahead goal.
88’ Rashid Nuhu makes a huge save from close range to deny the Kickers a second goal.
92’ Vanacore Decker unleashes a rocket of a free-kick that misses the goal by inches.
93’ Nuhu does it again! The Union Keeper makes a ridiculous save to deny the Kickers on a 1 v 1 opportunity.
Game Notes
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Omaha controlled much of the game, having 10 more total shots than Richmond and also winning the possession battle 60% to 40%.
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Forward Elma Nfor led the line up-top for Los Búhos and also led the team in shots with 4.
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Dalton Knutson stepped up in defense for the Owls, leading the team in interceptions (2) as well as total passes (44), passing accuracy (86%), and successful passes (38).
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Rashid Nuhu was immense in goal for Union Omaha, making six big saves to the Owls in the game.
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The Owls remain in fourth place with 16 points, two behind Chattanooga Red Wolves with 18 points, four points behind Richmond Kickers with 20 points, and 12 points behind Greenville Triumph with 28 points.
Next Game
Union Omaha will travel to the Sunshine State to take on Fort Lauderdale CF at Inter Miami CF Stadium on Saturday, September 30th. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 pm C.T.
Union Omaha vs Richmond Kickers
September 26, 2020
Werner Park (Omaha, NE)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Union Omaha 0 0 0
Richmond Kickers 0 1 1
Scoring Summary:
RICH: Ivan Magalhães 72’
Misconduct Summary:
OMA: Devin Boyce (Yellow Card) 58’
OMA: JP Searce (Yellow Card) 71’
Lineups
OMA: GK Nuhu, D Crull, D Knutson, D Osumanu, D Sousa, M Scearce, M Boyce (Panchot 90’), M Contreras © (Molina 75’), F Conway, F Vanacore-Decker, F Nfor (Mare 79’)
RICH: GK Fitzgerald, D Magalhaes, D Vender, D Ackwei, D Antley (Kwesele 57’) , M Falck, M Cuomo (Kraft 45’), M Terzaghi, F Diosa (Thomsen 86’), F Alves (Bolanos 45’), F Pavone (Boehme 95’)
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
