Part 12 in our team-by-team preview where we try to answer these questions: how could they succeed, and how could they stumble?
Union Omaha
Their magical US Open Cup run aside, 2022 in Omaha was a year of stingy defense and grinding out enough points to sneak into the 5th seed of the playoffs. The club only managed 10 wins but acquired 13 additional points on their league-highest number of draws. The defense only conceded 34 goals. But scoring was anemic, resulting in a goal differential of 1. And then in true 2022 Union Omaha fashion, they were bounced in the first round of the playoffs 1-0 on Rafa Mentzingen extra-time goal.
The off-season saw a bit of confusion at first. Lots of midfielders and defenders returning, along with goalkeeper of the year Rashid Nuhu, and lead goal scorers, forward Noe Meza and central midfielder JP Scearce. No other forwards. No new signings. Then just over a week later, head coach Jay Mims abruptly resigned. Then the club transferred rising star Ryen Jiba to Minnesota United FC.
Fast forward to the start of the 2023 season and folks are feeling much better about this club. Dominic Casciato came in as the new head coach. The club re-signed Conor Doyle, added proven goal scorer Steven Dos Santos from Tampa Bay Rowdies, forward Joe Gallardo from Querétaro of Liga MX, defender Luca Mastrantonio from FC Tucson, and a group of USLC defenders in Stefan Muller, Junio Palacios, Sebastian Sanchez and Alexis Souahy.
On paper, it’s looking like another year of that stingy Omaha defense. But will the addition of Steeven Dos Santos and Joe Gallardo be enough to augment the existing scoring ability of Meza and Scearce, and push that goal differential up?
How Union Omaha could succeed in 2023
That goal differential rises
As we mentioned, the defense is likely solid here, once again. It was enough to push them into the playoffs last year, but not enough to win when they got there. To address this, they picked up options on Meza and Scearce, and brought in Dos Santos and Gallardo. The former has 62 goals in 189 USLC appearances (plus another 7 in 13 playoff appearances), and the latter might be due for his comeback after limited appearances around Liga MX and Liga MX Expansión.
If this combination is successful, Union Omaha should convert some of those draws into wins, and head into the playoffs at a higher seed.
How Union Omaha could stumble in 2023
The curse of the status quo
Look, there’s a new coach who brings new offensive-minded tactics. But let’s face it, there’s a lot riding on the additions of Dos Santos and Gallardo. At 33, it could be a long season for Dos Santos, and there’s always a chance Gallardo doesn’t pan out in a league in which he last appeared in 2019 as a promising young star.
If those goals don’t get scored, Union Omaha is getting left behind in a league where at least six other clubs have either beefed up their scoring or could maintain the scoring pace from last season.
But then again, new year, new goals
There are 32 games, a solid midfield and backfield, and Noe Meza should be coming into his own. That may be enough, even if one of the new forwards doesn’t pan out as expected.