Union Omaha wins USL League One title for second time in four seasons
With a quick start and dominant first half, Union Omaha won their second USL League One Final in four years, but this meant even more than their first title three years ago.
With Mechack Jerome recovering from severe burns, their 3-0 win was dedicated to the 34-year-old defender.
"Tonight we have an extra push, which is for Mechack Jerome, and we did it tonight too for him," Union Omaha captain Rashid Nuhu said. "He was watching. So I'm very happy that we got the win for him."
Owls owner Gary Green announced the team would retire the number after the match.
Max Schneider provided the fastest goal in USL League One final history as Union Omaha went ahead 1-0 in the third minute at Werner Park.
"To be fair, I don't really care about these stats," Schneider said. "I'm happy that I was able to help the team, yeah, but even better, that we were able to hold the zero in the back and not concede. But yeah, obviously happy, happy to help the team with the goal."
A cross from Joe Gallardo was sent into the penalty area and found the head of Schneider, who headed the ball towards goal. Spokane goalkeeper Brooks Thompson got a touch to it, but was unable to make the save as the ball deflected into the top right corner.
The goal was the first of the 24-year-old midfielder's Union Omaha career.
Two Zeiko Lewis efforts — one on target — tested the Spokane defense and forced a save by Thompson as the Owls pressed the advantage.
From another Gallardo corner, the ball was attempted to be cleared by the Spokane defense in the 19th minute, but the ball fell to Pedro Dolabella, who duly obliged by bulging the back of the net for a 2-0 Union Omaha lead inside 20 minutes.
For Dolabella, it was his first professional postseason goal.
"We knew we had to impose our game from the start," the 25-year-old attacking midfielder said. "You know, we had no doubt that if we put the foot on the gas, no breaks in the beginning. Finish our chances, (then) our chances of winning will increase so much. And I'm glad this was our best performance in the playoffs."
Although possession swung back in Velocity's favor, the Owls held a 10-1 advantage on shots (3-0 shots on target) in the first half.
Lagos Kunga effectively put the game away from Union Omaha in the 71st minute.
The 26-year-old forward took a brilliant touch off of his chest, settled the ball, cut to his right to get past the defender on him, and fired a shot from a tight angle into the bottom left corner of the net to push the lead to 3-0.
"First half, I didn't get much of the ball, and my teammates were telling me, 'Hey, you know, get one more,'" Kunga said. "And then, show your confidence, get one more, and then the game is over. So it felt good, every time you score in a final, in a game like this, for your team, it always feels good."
The Owls saw out the rest of the match and became USL League One Final winners for the second time, the first in league history to have multiple championships. Union Omaha is also the most decorated, winning three Players' Shields to go with the two finals.
"I think it starts from up top," Gallardo said. "You know, great owners. They hire the best coaching staff and the best players, and when you have that in an organization, I feel like anything's possible. And it speaks for itself."
Throughout the match, Gallardo was an impact player, creating four chances and dishing one assist.
Casciato saw from Gallardo what he saw all season: the unsung hero.
"I think Joe's probably the unsung hero, not just of our team, but of the league," Casciato said. "You know, somehow he goes under the radar. I was shocked he wasn't selected on all league teams, so I'm glad he got MVP today, because he's been tremendous this season, and Joe brings a lot of quality.
"(He) can play pretty much anywhere on a pitch, rather than in goal, and plays with enthusiasm and a joy that is wonderful to watch."
Gallardo was voted as the USL League One Final MVP.
The crowd of 5,849 was a USL League One Final record, beating the previous record of 5,200.
Another special moment was the 90th-minute substitution to bring on Steevan Dos Santos, who battled injuries this season and announced his retirement after the conclusion of the playoffs.
