Union Omaha is an American professional soccer club based in Omaha, Nebraska, that began play in USL League One in 2020. The club unveiled its name, crest and colors on October 3, 2019, at a community block party in Omaha’s Benson neighborhood.[1]
Design and History
The Union Omaha crest features a great horned owl, a species native to Nebraska, standing above a black and white soccer ball. The owl is rendered in black with “lightning yellow” eyes, set against a white crest.[1] The club’s official colors are black, white and neon yellow.[1]
The crest was designed by Matthew Wolff, owner of Matthew Wolff Design, in collaboration with input from the community.[2] Wolff is a sports branding designer who has developed visual identities for clubs across the American soccer pyramid, including LAFC, NYCFC, FC Tulsa and Louisville City FC.[3]
According to the USL League One announcement, Union Omaha is the only American club represented by the great horned owl, which was chosen as a symbol of the club’s desire to be fierce and competitive on the pitch.[2] The great horned owl is indigenous to the region and commonly seen during winter months when trees have lost their foliage.[4]
Meaning and Symbolism
Three stars on the crest represent people, place and purpose.[1] The club’s official description states that the crest is inspired by the people of the Omaha region, a sense of place ranging from Nebraska’s prairies to its neighborhoods, and the purpose to celebrate and support the region.[5]
The team colors carry documented meanings from the club’s launch announcement: black represents power, intelligence, knowledge and wealth; white represents heroic characters and new beginnings; and lightning yellow represents the team’s ability to strike with speed and force.[2]
The team name, Union Omaha, is both a nod to Union Pacific and its role in Omaha’s development, while also connecting Omaha’s past with its future.[4]
Typography and Design
The crest uses a white shield format with a black great horned owl as the central figure, standing above a black and white soccer ball. The owl’s eyes are rendered in lightning yellow, providing the primary color accent.[1] The design was developed with community input as part of the club’s launch identity process.[2]
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