FC Naples stumps Union Omaha, 3-1, on Sunday night for the team’s first win in May at the Paradise Sports Coast Complex. With the win, it ends its three-game losing streak against USL League One competition.

“In seasons, you’re going to have win streaks, you’re going to have losing streaks,” FC Naples coach Matt Polland said. “You try to have as long as possible of a win streak and to get out of a losing streak as quick as possible, being able to get back home, kind of hit reset.”

After the Southwest Florida premier soccer team opened its debut season with eight straight wins in league play, a 9-8 loss in penalty kicks to the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the U.S. Lamar Hunt Cup stunted the hot streak.

FC Naples (5-2-3) lost three straight league games against One Knoxville SC, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, and the Portland Hearts of Pine, 1-0, 3-2 and 3-1, respectively. This losing streak was only separated by a 1-0 against the Charleston Battery in the USL Jagermeister Cup.

Union Omaha (1-2-4) controlled the early portion of the game, outshooting FC Naples, 6-4, through the first half. Omaha’s scoring opportunities picked up, with their methodical approach of driving down the field, waiting for open scoring lanes. This resulted in five corners in 45 minutes and nine through 90 minutes. However, Naples’ zonal defending prevented any action.

Midfielder Andres Ferrin put FC Naples on the board in the 20th minute with a goal inside the right post after being fouled by Marco Milanese in the box. Milanese received a yellow card for the contact.

Minutes later, Union Omaha forward Joe Gallardo tied up the game with the team’s sole goal of the game via a free kick past the left post. However, with the game tied, FC Naples midfielder Ian Cerro scored on a cross-body shot to take a 2-1 lead with seconds left in extra time. 

“It really helped getting that goal before halftime give us a little bit of breathing room, especially after how hectic the game was,” Cerro said.

FC Naples’ momentum continued into the second half with midfielder Jayden Onen scoring off a throw-in with a blast down the middle of the goal four minutes into the half. Down two goals, 3-1, Union Omaha continued to struggle to score against FC Naples’ defense, failing to get a goal on four more shots.

“Getting that goal right before halftime really gave us a lot of momentum, and then we came out flying in the second half,” Polland said. “To put the third goal away was really important for us, and then it was just seeing out the game with our defensive discipline and work ethic.”

FC Naples returns to the Paradise Coast Complex on June 14 against the Red Wolves. Fans can purchase FC Naples tickets at FCNaples.com. Stud