Omaha native rejoins, having spent the 2021 season on loan with the club
PAPILLION, Neb. (January 9, 2023) – Union Omaha announced today the signing of defender Blake Malone pending league and federation approval. The 22-year-old featured heavily for Colorado Rapids 2 of MLS NEXT Pro last season, playing over 2,000 minutes as his side won the Western Conference and reached a Conference Final in the playoffs.
Malone was born in Omaha but moved from the area at a young age. In high school, he played club soccer with Desert Oasis in Las Vegas, NV. He joined the Seattle Sounders FC academy in 2017, where his U-16/17 team won the 2018 U.S. Soccer Development Academy national championship. He made his USL debut with Tacoma Defiance on an amateur contract in the same year. In 2019, Malone accepted a scholarship to play collegiately for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels. This led to his January 2020 call-up by the U.S. U-20 Youth National Team under Head Coach Anthony Hudson.
“Blake is a top young defender who’s coming off an outstanding conference-winning season with Colorado Rapids 2,” said Union Omaha Head Coach Dominic Casciato. “He’s familiar with our club, having been part of the 2021 double-winning team and has developed considerably in the two years since then. We look forward to welcoming the local lad back home for the 2024 season.”
“I’m thrilled to be back playing for the city I was born in,” said Malone. “Looking forward to the season and to, hopefully, winning another championship like we did in 2021!”
- Name Pronunciation: [Blake MUH-LONE]
- Position: Defender
- Height: 6’0″
- Weight: 181 lbs.
- Date of Birth: 3/23/2001
- Born: Omaha, Nebraska
- Previous Club: Colorado Rapids 2 (MLS NEXT Pro)
Union Omaha’s home opener is on April 20 against Charlotte Independence at Werner Park. Season ticket memberships and voucher packs for the 2024 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 Champion and 2023 USL League One Players’ Shield Winner, 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 American soccer, 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 President Martie Cordaro in the front office and Head Coach Dominic Casciato on the field.
