Papillion, NE – The Greenville Triumph Soccer Club travels to Omaha in search of their second straight League One title when they face Union Omaha on Saturday, November 20th at 5:00 PM EST. The Final will be a rematch of the COVID-cancelled 2020 Final, which saw Greenville awarded the title after leading the league standings for the duration of the 2021 season.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Kick off: 5:00 PM EST, Werner Park, Papillion, NE
Streaming TV: ESPN+
International Stream: YouTube
Watch Party: The HabiTap, 1325 Miller Rd., Greenville, SC
Social Media: Greenville Triumph SC on Twitter
App: Download the Triumph app for free on Apple or Android
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
At long last, bragging rights won’t be the only thing on the line when the Greenville Triumph and Union Omaha lock horns this weekend at Werner Park in Omaha. The 2021 USL League One Final is the culmination of the first chapter in a rivalry that has dominated League One storylines since Omaha began play in 2020.
Greenville has set the standard for independent League One clubs in the first three seasons of the league, but Omaha has been hot on their heels. The clubs account for five of the six Final’s teams, with 2019 champion North Texas the only other club to appear in the title match. Saturday’s match is the long-awaited championship rematch of the COVID-cancelled 2020 League One Final, and it will also break an even 1-1-1 record in the all-time series between the clubs.
Greenville has yet to lose to Omaha this season, drawing them 1-1 in front of a national TV audience on ESPN2 at Greenville’s Triumph Stadium in May. More impressive, though, was Greenville’s 1-0 road win at Werner Park on October 9th, dealing Omaha a rare home loss. Despite those two results, Omaha finished the season with the league’s best record, leading in both goals scores and goals allowed.
When the final whistle sounds on Saturday night, regardless of the winner, the match will mark another entry in what’s likely to be a storied rivalry as the league continues to grow.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Greg Hurst & Evan Conway, Forwards, Omaha: Leading the charge on offense for Omaha this season has been the dynamic duo of Greg Hurst and Evan Conway. Conway and Hurst both came off the bench in the 1-0 defeat to Greenville in October, but the pair should be starting the title match on Saturday. The only duo in the league to both record double-digit goals, Hurst and Conway will be the key figures trying to snap the Greenville defense’s prolific scoreless streak.
Aaron Walker, midfielder, Greenville: For three seasons, Triumph midfielder Aaron Walker has been the quiet cog that keeps things moving for the Greenville Triumph. Walker’s calmness, pacing and distribution both set the stage for the Triumph attack and prevent threats to the Triumph defense. Walker scored a Triumph career-high five goals this season, and was selected to the All-League Second Team. His return in the semifinals after a nagging hamstring injury should give confidence that Walker can once again guide Greenville in a high-stakes match.
NEWS AND NOTES
All-League Selections: Greenville’s Brandon Fricke, Abdi Mohamed and Aaron Walker earned Second Team honors, and Marios Lomis was named to the FIrst Team. Greenville’s four selections were the second-most for any club.
Injury Report: JJ Donnelly (F): Out for season – knee; Lachlan McLean (F): Probable – knee; Will Mejia (D): Questionable – ankle
