NAPLES, Fla. – 123rd minute substitute Joel Serrano saved two penalty kicks and Ian Garrett had the winning goal as No. 4 seed FC Naples survived 4-3 in a penalty shootout against defending champions No. 5 seed Union Omaha in the Quarterfinals of the 2025 USL League One Playoffs presented by Terminix after 120 scoreless minutes at Paradise Coast Sports Complex. 

Naples kicked first in the shootout and saw its result matched by Omaha in each of the first five rounds. Luka Prpa, Jake Dengler, and Jayden Onen’s goals for the hosts were matched by Sergio Ors Navarro, Pato Botello Faz, and Isidro Martinez. Garrett sent Rashid Nuhu the wrong way, setting up a signature goalkeeping moment for Serrano, who dove to the right to save Mark Bronnik’s kick to send Naples to the Semifinals. 

Omaha dominated the first 30 minutes of the match and fired nine shot attempts, showing its prowess as the defending League One champions. Naples found its footing as the game went on and created offense of its own in the second half. Marc Torrellas forced a stretching save from Omaha’s Rashid Nuhu in the 62nd minute with one of Naples’ best chances from inside the penalty box. 

The clubs continued trading blows through extra time, but neither was able to thwart the other’s goalkeeper as Omaha’s Rashid Nuhu made three saves and Naples’ Edward Delgado made five throughout the 120 minutes. 

Takeaways 

FC Naples: The first expansion club to host a playoff match in its first season is now the first to win a home playoff match in its debut year. Naples absorbed a strong punch from Omaha in the first 30 minutes and advanced via the fourth penalty shootout in League One history. 

Union Omaha: The defending champions are knocked out of the playoffs after suffering their first loss since falling 1-0 to One Knoxville SC on August 16.  

Key moment 

FC Naples Head Coach Matt Poland substituted Joel Serrano into the match after starting keeper Edward Delgado went down with an injury. Serrano’s key saves in the shootout put Naples 90 minutes from the Final. 

Key stat 

No. 4-seeded teams are now 5-0 in the USL League One playoffs since 2021 when the playoff field expanded to six teams. 

USLLeagueOne.com Player of the Match 

Joel Serrano, FC Naples – Serrano made two key saves in the penalty shootout for Naples. The Puerto Rican keeper played just 13 minutes for the expansion club in League One this season. 

Scoring Summary 

No scoring 

Penalty Shootout 

FC Naples – Luka Prpa, scored; Tyler Pasnik, missed; Jake Dengler, scored; Kevin O’Connor, missed; Jayden Onen, scored; Ian Garrett, scored 

Union Omaha – Sergio Ors Navarro, scored; Ryen Jiba, missed; Pato Botello Faz, scored; Charlie Ostrem, missed; Isidro Martinez, scored; Mark Bronnik, missed