Yes, Union Omaha soccer at Werner Park…with fans

I do much of my soccer watching in between emails. Since I’ve been working from home for the past five months, match replays replace the time I used to spend getting coffee or wandering around the office chitchatting with other employees. Up first was Forward Madison at North Texas SC on a rainy Thursday afternoon, which seemed appropriate for the article you are, hopefully, now reading as I preview today’s Union Omaha match vs. North Texas.

Let me state for the record, FC Dallas has the best academy program in the U.S. Hands down. They know how to find and develop talent—specifically, goal scorers. North Texas is mostly a brand new team, as academy teams usually are. But, 2019 League One Golden Boot winner, Ronaldo Damus, is still with the club and he was back in form yet again vs. the Flamingos.

With all the time off, he doesn’t seem to have lost his instincts when he gets inside the 18 yard box. In a 1-1 game at half-time, he opened his 2020 account in the second half by cutting through the Forward Madison’s defense and pushing a shot past Philipp Marceta. After playing to a scoreless draw in their season opener, the back three of the Owls better be up for the task of handling Damus, and the youth and speed of North Texas.

But, this will be a big day for Union Omaha either way, as they will be playing their inaugural home opener and, barring any issues, Werner Park will be sold out for this match. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of atmosphere 2,000 plus fans can create in a baseball stadium.

The Owls will either put on a show or crack under the weight of expectations. Either way, Saturday night will be a battle between the speed and youth of North Texas against a side lead by several experienced USL veterans. Whatever the outcome, fans will be in the stands at Werner Park with the match set to kick off at 7 PM CT. That alone is a massive achievement.