Union Omaha Preps for the Championship Game

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Joining us now on our phone line is the guy
who runs the ship over there with Union Omaha. The
Owls playing for the USL League One championship once again,
and joining us on the phone line is Marty Corderyl, Marty,
thanks so much for giving us more time today.

Speaker 2 (00:13):
So excited about Sunday and I really appreciate the time
to talk about it. Memory, How are you today?

Speaker 1 (00:19):
I'm great, man, Okay, So it's good seasonal weather at
this point. I went to a playoff game out there
last year at Warner Park and it was a nasty weather.
Certainly that it made it kind of a lethargic game,
had to go all the way to a shootout and
all that stuff. They've made no bones about that.

Speaker 2 (00:35):
Now.

Speaker 1 (00:35):
The Owls in the playoffs so far, a couple of
dominant showings. Now they find themselves with a chance to
win another championship. Tell me about how great it was
to watch them. It was a close match on the scoreboard,
but they really were dominant on the pitch throughout the
ninety minutes last weekend.

Speaker 2 (00:53):
Yeah, other than the first ten to fifteen minutes. You're
exactly right, the Owls dominated. It could have easily been
five or six to one, but you know that's the
way the ball bounces, and you know, we ended up
winning two to one over Greenville Arrival. And this week
we play first year upstart Spokane for the USL League
One Finals and it's our second appearance in excuse me,

(01:14):
third appearance in the title game and the first year
canceled due to COVID. And then twenty twenty one we
won here at home against Greenville three three nil, and
then Sunday two o'clock gates open at one. We still
have tickets remaining and we want people to come out
and support the squad. Coach Dominicqusciato, our goalkeeper Rushie Knuho,

(01:36):
and then one of our team leaders, Pedro Delabello. I mean,
they're ready, they're ready for this match, and we're really
excited for the community to be able to support the
squad one more time as we go for the victory
on Sunday.

Speaker 1 (01:49):
All right, and this is going to be a big deal, right,
every single time that championship is on the line, it
could be history, not just for the club but also
for the city. And we were coming just out of
the throes of COVID nineteen when this club was able
to find a way to win, and you guys have
been building up the fan base and getting people out
to Werner Park to see you guys play in just
the fun of the atmosphere. It's just such a different

(02:09):
feel to be out there for a soccer match than
a baseball game. How can you best describe what it's
going to be like on Sunday and what you need
from the fans, because it's really a unique experience, especially
when the stakes are this high.

Speaker 2 (02:21):
No, it is unique. You know, the supporter groups, obviously
they're going to bring it from smoke and drums and flags,
and you know, our soccer regulars eighty percent of them
are standing the entire match, so they're going to bring it.
But you know, for those that haven't tried soccer yet
and those that haven't been here for a UO match,
we urge you to come out and be here and

(02:42):
try it and support the squad. And you know, we
want to go for the trifecta, meaning all three pro
sports franchises in the metro and going for a title.
Supernova's they check in May, Stormchasers check in September, and
now Union Omaha going you know for another pro championship,

(03:04):
which would be fantastic for all three of the you
know pro squads here in the metro area. Wow.

Speaker 1 (03:09):
And when you put in per perspective like that, what
a year for Omaha that this could end up being
if this Triumvirent is complete, joined by right now by
Marty Cordero, who runs the show for the Union Omaha
soccer team, who is going to be hosting the USL
League One Championship. So with that all being said, Marty,
I'm a big supporter of what you guys do. I

(03:31):
love the plans for the future. We talked last week about,
you know, how the success of the club is allowing
for people to be not just interested, but now we
got this brand new downtown development that's kind of on
the line here as well. What makes this you know,
can you outline the stakes beyond just getting a trophy
and getting that second star on the crest? What is

(03:53):
at stake for this club as it continues to be
one of the most successful, not the most successful professional
club over the last handful of years in the entire
United States.

Speaker 2 (04:03):
Yes, yeah, my media staff gave me the stat yesterday
with the third most successful pro soccer franchise in America
over the last five years since we've started at any level,
looking at any level of soccer, including MLS championships. So
you know, it's about winning, you know, with Union Omaha,
So you know what's at stake. The first time we

(04:26):
be the first club to win two League One playoff titles,
and it also sets us up from a recruiting perspective
as it relates to signing, you know, new players, keeping
the players we have, and it also continues the tradition.
As you mentioned, we're working towards a downtown development of
winning and being successful from a soccer perspective. So I

(04:46):
think there are a lot of things at stake, and
again there's no shortage of community pride here in the
Omaha metro or in the state. But why not add
a little bit more to that.

Speaker 1 (04:56):
Yeah, and let's go ahead and talk about the match itself,
because this is certainly going to be a matchup. You
split the four meetings with Spokane this season, played twice
at their place, twice at Warner Park. The two Warner
Park matches were dominant Union Omaha victories for to one
in the first one for nil in the second one.

(05:19):
When the games were in Spokane. They were able to
pick up both of the victories there as well. How
important is just having this game and having this match
for a championship on the pitch at Warner Park.

Speaker 2 (05:31):
Oh, that's why winning the Players Shield regular season title
is so important because we do have an advantage. Warner
Park is the minimum when it comes to a regulation
one to ten by seventy pitch based on being in
a baseball stadium, So we do have a distinct home
pitch advantage. And yes, the players they play better. They're
they're sleeping in their own bed, they're eating in their

(05:54):
regular spots, and really a great sense of camaraderie for
this team the entire season. But it got much closer
over the last three weeks after the unfortunate accident that
injured Mishak Jerome and his family. And they're playing for
something more than just winning on the field. They're playing

(06:16):
for number two and I think that can't be discounted,
and they want to finish the job this Sunday, it's going.

Speaker 1 (06:23):
To be something else, all right. So how can people
get tickets to this? Marty? I know that you know,
I'm certainly planning to be there. I'm very excited to
watch this for a championship on the line here in Omaha.
How can people go out there and get themselves some
tickets and get themselves to Warner Park this Sunday.

Speaker 2 (06:39):
Well, we still have single game tickets. We still have
group tickets and fifteen or more. Group tickets are just
fifteen dollars each. That's a special world running. And then
single game tickets are available and you can do either
by calling for zero two seven, three eight five to
one zero zero or going to Union Omaha dot com.
And the ticket off is is open today till five o'clock.

(07:02):
They'll be open tomorrow as well till five o'clock so
and then obviously online you can purchase at any point
in time. But if you're new and you have questions
about what the best seats are or where to sit,
I urge you to call the ticket office. Talk to Jordan,
talk to Josh, talk to Stevie, and they'll be glad
to help you.

Speaker 1 (07:18):
I cannot wait. Two o'clock is the scheduled first kick
of this one, and it's going to be a wild
atmosphere with a championship on the line at Warner Park.
USL League one title between Spokane and Union, Omaha. Marty Corderyl,
thanks for the time, thanks for the information, good luck
this week and can't wait to see you there and
hopefully the next time you and I talk, we're talking
about another championship for Omaha.

Speaker 2 (07:39):
Esta Emery, thank you so much. Appreciate kf BB supporting local.

Speaker 1 (07:42):
Thank you as always, no problem at all. It is
an honor for me to do so.