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What To Watch For When Greenville Takes On Omaha

By CAMERON KOUBEK - cameron.koubek@uslsoccer.com, 05/14/21, 10:15AM EDT

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League One’s first-ever nationally-televised game on ESPN2 offers plenty of intriguing storylines

League One is set for arguably the biggest game in its three-year history on Sunday, when last season’s top two teams in defending title winner Greenville Triumph SC and runner up Union Omaha square off at Greenville’s Legacy Early College (4 p.m. ET | ESPN2). Though Greenville topped the table from wire to wire on its way to winning the 2020 League One title, Omaha won 2-1 in the clubs’ only previous meeting, blemishing an otherwise perfect home record for Triumph SC last season.

There’s plenty of intrigue in just about all areas of this matchup, but here are four storylines in particular to look out for.

Look Ma, I’m On TV!

Sunday’s game is the first-ever nationally-televised League One match, a major milestone in the league’s three-year history. Airing on ESPN2, the game will be a chance for a wide audience to see the on-field quality and passionate fan support that the league displays week in, week out.

Starting As You Mean To Continue

Neither Greenville nor Omaha has put a foot wrong thus far in 2021. Both teams are 3-0-0, and Greenville has conceded just one goal while Omaha has kept three shutouts. There are, of course, 24 more regular season games for both teams after Sunday - plenty of time for twists and turns. But three points count the same now as they will in October, and both clubs would surely love to build a gap at the top of the table to the chasing pack.

Talent, Talent Everywhere

Between the two rosters, there are 12 players who were League One All-League selections in 2020. The fact that so many key players on each team stuck around is a big reason why both sides have started well, and why both are considered among the top contenders for the title this season.

Neither club made a huge amount of additions, but the ones they did make were attention-grabbing. Greenville scooped up striker Marios Lomis from North Carolina FC, and the Dutchman is off to a flying start, scoring three goals in his first three appearances for the club. Triumph SC also brought in a key veteran presence in Don Smart.

Omaha added attacking firepower in the form of Greg Hurst, whose eight goals for Chattanooga were good for second in League One last season. Midfielder Conor Doyle brings Major League Soccer (as well as prior League One) experience, and los Búhos also picked up 2020 Young Player of the Year Finalist Nicolas Firmino from the New England Revolution II.

The Final That Wasn’t

Everyone at both clubs was disappointed when the 2020 League One Final was canceled due to COVID concerns. But that’s in the past now - Greenville earned the crown from its dominant regular season performance, and we can all look ahead to 2021.

While Sunday’s game won’t be played for any silverware, there’s no denying that both sets of players and fans will be looking at the matchup as a chance to validate their respective arguments about how the final that wasn’t would have turned out. Bragging rights are important, and this weekend is a big chance to earn them in this budding rivalry on national TV.


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