By: Ben Addison & Owen Godberson
On Wednesday Oct. 3rd, the USL Omaha soccer team had its name and logo revealed to the public. This team will compete in the USL League One, the third division of US Soccer pyramid system.
The team name will be Union Omaha and the logo is a great horned owl sitting on a soccer ball. The team name is supposed to resemble the unification of Omaha and the logo represents the great horned owl which is native to the area in the winter months.
Ray Shirley, the president of the infant club’s supporter group, said they were listened to during the process, “They made sure our input was heard, what we liked as far as logos, and how we identified with the area. We felt like we were heard.”
This team is riding the wave of the increased popularity of soccer in the United States. It also brings a team to a city that has been establishing its collegiate teams with UNO and Creighton soccer.
Union Omaha Head Coach, Jason Mims talked a bit on his anticipation for the team, “I think there’s wonderful turf fields, especially here. I think Creighton and UNO have some of the best turf fields in the country. But I mean natural grass is natural grass and so we’re excited about that.”
This new team also brings excitement to local UNO Men’s Soccer players as they are given a local team to look to for after college. UNO Junior Forward Diego Gutierrez talked on the opportunities that this presents to local players.
“Not only for myself but for others that play the game. It gives local youth players a chance. We have a lot of talent here in Nebraska and it can put us on the map” said Gutierrez.
Gutierrez also talked about what it meant to him as someone who is from the Omaha area and grew up watching soccer, “Growing up we’ve always wanted an MLS team here in Omaha and this is just the first step to the process as it’ll continue to grow to eventually become one. It’s a dream come true for many people because it shows how much this sport is continuing to grow in the United States.”
This new professional soccer team has created a lot of buzz in Omaha, and with the unveiling of their logo and name that buzz has only increased further. It brings a much-wanted team to the Omaha metro area and gives local fans something to support.
