Union Omaha Names Vincenzo Candela Interim Head Coach
The announcement comes one day after Dom Casciato's depature
Union Omaha announced today the interim appointment of Vincenzo Candela as head coach. The move comes one day after the bombshell announcement of former Head Coach Dom Casciato departing to take on the role at USL Championship side Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Candela signed on as assistant coach ahead of the 2024 season following the conclusion of his playing career. He had USL League One experience with the Richmond Kickers, winning the Players’ Shield in 2022, along with a season with South Georgia Tormenta. He also played in Germany, Sweden, Belgium and Colombia, along with NISA club New York Cosmos and USL Championship clubs Charleston Battery and Detroit City. During his playing career he also amassed six years of experience coaching at the academy and youth levels.
Said Omaha General Manager Alexis Boulos:
“Coach Candela has been an integral part of Union Omaha since the 2024 season, and we have every confidence that he will continue to lead this team towards success. He brings an energy and focus that the players and staff respond to. I look forward to watching him build confidence as a leader within the organization.”
Candela has his work cut out for him, with Omaha sitting at 12th in the table with only three wins through the first half of the season. The squad has lost three in a row, giving up nine goals over that time. While it remains to be seen if he’ll introduce any new tactics or shake up the roster, it hasn’t been a good look for the club that won the last two Players’ Shields and the league title last season.
He’ll also inherit a squad dealing with numerous long-term injuries, with expected regulars Lagos Kunga, Blake Malone and Aaron Gómez.
Candela’s first match as Head Coach will be at Charlotte Independence on July 12th.