Zeiko Lewis provided the assist for Union Omaha’s winning goal in an emotional play-off success on Sunday night that came less than 72 hours after a team-mate was severely injured in a house explosion.

The Bermudian forward squared the ball across the goal for Lagos Kunga to tap into an empty net after an incisive break away in the 51st minute as his side, who topped the USL League One regular season table, progressed to the play-off semi-finals with a 1-0 win over Richmond Kickers.

The victory was emotional given the backdrop of the previous few days as Lewis’s team-mate, former Haiti captain Mechack Jerome, suffered serious injuries along with his wife and a close family member in an explosion that occurred as they were using propane to cook inside their garage.

Before the game against Richmond Kickers, Union Omaha’s players and coaches wore Jerome’s No 2 shirt during the warm up and they wore white armbands during the match with messages of support for their stricken team-mate and his family. There was also applause for the duration of the second minute as Omaha supporters paid their own tribute.

“It was a strange day to have a game,” Omaha head coach Dominic Casciato said after the victory.

“The important thing about today was getting through, and the lads showed tremendous character after everything that’s gone on this week to show up and perform and get the win, so I’m really proud of the players.”

Omaha will now play Greenville Triumph in the semi-finals on Saturday, but the emotional toll of the week will still be weighing heavily on their mind.

“We are obviously looking forward to the semi-final next week, but our thoughts and our prayers and our love is going out to Sandra, to Wadner, and obviously to our man Mechack. We love you guys, and we’re with you,” Casciato said.