Chattanooga advances in WPSL South Region
Manga Zouma brace helps CFC to 3-1 win
It was eight minutes into a weather delayed second half when Annick Manga Zouma took a lovely pass from Grace Ambrose and slammed the ball into the net, passed a helpless Susan Shobeiri. 3-1 to Chattanooga and a comeback win they were deserving of.
That Ambrose and Manga Zouma should get first mention is fitting. The former was making her debut and constantly put tremendous pressure on Arlington's backline. The Nigerian attacker ultimately won the ball back in a dangerous area before feeding to Manga Zouma for that goal. The latter had already scored in the first half, and her brace was more than the Cameroon youth international deserved for her play.
In the end Chattanooga FC defeated Arlington Soccer Blue by that 3-1 scoreline in Leesburg on Saturday evening and advanced to the WPSL South Region Final for the first time in club history. There was a strong wee contingent of CFC fans who had made their way to the DMV suburbs. Audible and visible on the stream, I am told (thanks Justin Vizaro) there was six at the game, with more expected for Sunday’s Final.
The game was technically free entry, but fans could donate a suggested $5 through a displayed QR code. There was also a rooftop bar and some other concessions available. I mention all this because it’s very positive to see the WPSL ensure that fan-friendly venues and amenities are made available. This is the sort of thing that’s important to a league’s growth and makes spectators want to return. So, credit to the WPSL and VA Revolution Soccer for that.
It was a come-from-behind victory for Chattanooga after a Logan Tongberg penalty in the 18th minute had given Arlington the lead. The penalty was soft, a clipped heel in the box had taken down an Arlington defender. It’s hard to tell judging by the streamed broadcast available, but it looked soft.
Arlington Soccer Blue, confusingly playing in red, managed to hold onto this lead for the better part of 25 minutes before CFC were able to level matters. This, in spite of Chattanooga dominating the early stages of the match with the excellent Manga Zouma nearly equalizing with a header soon after..
A penalty from Hannah Tillett was what evened the score. In the 40th minute, Arlington defender Emma Cordero, in true Luis Suárez fashion, used her hand to intentionally deny Chattanooga on the goal-line. She was given a straight red card and Tillett converted the resulting penalty.
Less than two minutes later, after a recycled corner-kick, CFC would pull ahead when Manga Zouma scored from close range putting her team ahead at that sweet spot just before half-time.
The second half was delayed for about half an hour due to nearby lightning. Chattanooga continued to dominate and soon Manga Zouma would have her second. She came close to a hattrick again on 74 minutes but was a fraction offside. At the other end, substitute goalkeeper Kayleigh Hall made an impressive save from Jocelyn Lohmeyer to keep Arlington at bay.
Chattanooga marches on and are now one of just eight left standing in the nation. They’ll line out at this venue on Sunday evening, July 13th at 6pm (Eastern) to compete in the WPSL South Region Final against LA Krewe Rush.
Next round
Chattanooga now faces fellow visiting side LA Krewe Rush this evening. That the two visiting southern sides put out the host and wildcard sides, both from Virginia and playing at or close to home, is a great achievement for soccer in the south. Linked to Louisiana Krewe FC of the USL League 2, the Lafayette-based team beat hosts McLean Soccer 3-1 in the second of yesterday’s games. A penalty from Hailly Waterhouse and a pair of goals from Maria Portas and Rammie Noel in extra time settled matters.
LA Krewe Rush finished top of the Delta Division in WPSL this summer. They then went on to defeat Pensacola 2-1 to claim the South Region. During the regular season, Salma Elhaimer led the club and division in scoring with 10 goals, the lion’s share of the 21 goals LKR scored over its eight-match regular season schedule. Nine different players contributed to the balance of the club’s regular season goals. Goalkeeper Lauryn Starwood and LKR’s defensive unit led the Delta Basin with nine goals against. Starwood appeared in seven of the club’s eight regular season matches, posting a .71 goal against average and three clean sheets. Starwood played in goal against McLean yesterday, but Elhaimer was not on the team sheet.
Given LA Krewe may be without such an important goalscorer, played longer yesterday and have had less rest since, I’d be backing Chattanooga to have an upper hand in what should be a cracking game.
Match: LA Krewe Rush v Chattanooga FC
Date: Sunday, July 13th, 2025
Time: 6PM EST
Location: RavenTek Park, Leesburg, VA. Capacity: 1,500
Watch: National Soccer Network on YouTube
Head Coaches: John Plumbar (LKR), Juan Hernandez (CFC)
Box Score
Arlington Soccer Blue - Chattanooga FC
WPSL South Region Playoff Semi-Final
Venue: RavenTek Park | Leesburg, VA
Final Score: Arlington 1-3 Chattanooga
Scoring summary:
18' - L. Tongberg (ARL) - penalty
41' - H. Tillett (CFC) - penalty
43’ - A. Manga Zouma (CFC)
53’ - A. Manga Zouma (CFC)
Discipline:
19' - K. Vigil (CFC) - yellow
19' - E. Cordero (ARL) - red
48' - O. Stafford (ARL) - yellow
50' - G. Ambrose (CFC) - yellow
77' - A. Jones (ARL) - yellow
82' - B. Valentine (CFC) - yellow
89' - N. Green-Orset (ARL) - yellow
90+4' - H. Helms (CFC) - yellow
Player of the Match: Grace Ambrose (CFC) - I know that Annick Manga Zouma will get the bulk of credit for her excellent brace, but I was so impressed with Ambrose’s game. Given it was her debut, she was hugely impressive and a constant threat to Arlington’s defense. Her assist for Manga Zouma’s second goal was a peach.
Line-ups:
Arlington Soccer Blue: Susan Shobeiri, Leila Greene, Nora Green-Orset, Allie Jones, Ava Marvin, Annie Faraone, Logan Tongberg, Kylie Emanuel, Jennifer McGuire, Jocelyn Lohmeyer, Olivia Stafford
Subs: Alana Beasley, Ally Griswold, Amelie D'Agnillo, Avery Hallam, Emma Cordero, Gwen Doughty, Phoebe Allan, Halle Thomas, Isabella Johnson
Head Coach: George Hales
Chattanooga FC: Maddie Smith, Jordan Crockett, Kei Yoneda, Grace Ambrose, Bella Valentine, Hannah Tillett, Kasie Vigil, Kaylie Smith, Amelia Neal, Amy Smith, Reese McDermott
Subs: Kyleigh Hall, Annick Manga Zouma, Billie Jean Davies, Elisa Dean, Hannah Helms, Kloe Reeves, Regina Campa, Mae Hunt, Ryleigh Ramey
Head Coach: Juan Hernandez