A pair of MLS giant slayers face off in the round of 32.
On April 19th, Union Omaha became one of the first USL League One clubs to ever score against an MLS club. But they weren’t satisfied just with that, and took down Chicago Fire on penalties 5-4. About 24 hours later Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC was busy seeing out a 1-0 victory over Real Salt Lake. Making the clubs the only USL League One members to take down MLS teams.
After a bye week in week 6 of the USL League One season, Union Omaha enter in eighth place with five points, to go with their two Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup victories. The Hailstorm are sitting in tenth place with their 1-1-2 record and their Open Cup wins.
Union Omaha have three of the leading chance creators in USL League One so far this season. Joseph Brito, Noe Meza, and Conor Doyle have created an average of just below five chances per match between themselves. With Meza scoring against Chicago Fire in the last round and John Scearce leading the squad with three goals in all competitions.
The Hailstorm will be without their leading goal scorer on the campaign. Irvin Parra who has two goals this season, will miss the game after picking up a red card in the second round and missing the third round as well. Jerry Desdunes is another player to watch with his chance creation in league play and even off the bench can be an impact player for the side.
In goal, Union Omaha’s main keeper this season has been Rashid Nuhu. The Ghanaian has kept two clean sheets in league play and was the keeper to deny Chicago Fire twice in the shootout to send his side into this round.
Tending the goal for Northern Colorado should be Thomas Olsen who has started all games that he has been eligible to play in. Olsen and the strong back line in front of him were credited with a clean sheet against Real Salt Lake for their tremendous defending and holding on to the 1-0 victory.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CDT/6:00 p.m. MDT at the Caniglia Field in Omaha, Nebraska. Expect it to be a warm one at kickoff with high winds to go with it. The game, as with all USL League One and U.S. Open Cup games this season, will be broadcast on ESPN+. Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC will return to Omaha in a few weeks for a USL League One matchup.
Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC will play its home matches in the 6,500-seat TicketSmarter Stadium at the Future Legends Complex, the premier destination for sports and events in Northern Colorado. Season ticket deposits are being taken now.
Opening in 2022, the 118-acre Future Legends Complex will feature two stadiums, multiple baseball diamonds and multi-purpose fields, an indoor sports arena, lodging, and retail; and will host guests for major sports tournaments, events, leagues, and more.