Epic comeback provides Chattanooga win
Quest for playoff soccer close to completion
We were two minutes into stoppage time. Chattanooga FC, who had been 2-0 down early in the second half and still trailing with 15 minutes to play, were somehow now leading 3-2. A wondergoal, an own goal, and a penalty goal had seen them haul Crown Legacy FC down to earth after the latter looked set for a first win in three games. Gavin Turner, on as a substitute, eluded a pair of Legacy players to emerge with the ball and dart in a low pass to the box that was missed by a slipping Morrison Agyemang but found fellow sub Daniel Mangarov. His first touch slammed the ball into the net and sealed a memorable 4-2 victory.
Turner and Mangarov’s omissions from the starting XI in Head Coach Chris Nugent’s side had raised eyebrows, as they’ve been two of the club’s best performers of recent. But Nugent deserves credit for keeping these youthful attacking resources in reserve and deploying them at the right time. He also left center-back Nathan Koelher on the bench, the 22-year-old recently returning from injury.
In the other dugout, Gary Dicker had sent out a largely expected starting XI for Crown Legacy. Chituru Odunze was preferred in goal over Isaac Walker, while there was no place for the talented attack-minded duo of Magic Smalls and Andrej Subotić. Nonetheless, Crown Legacy started the better of the sides.
Their first goal came so early, within five minutes. Some poor midfield and back-line play from CFC allowed Crown’s players first reach of the ball every time as they ping-ponged it toward the final third. Some tidy, quick passing from the home team eventually found USA U17 international Brian Romero on the left-wing. The 19-year-old floated in a delicious cross that found the head of the unmarked Mikah Thomas before bouncing awkwardly in front of CFC goalkeeper Eldin Jakupović and into goal. It was some wonderful play by Crown Legacy, and some poor defending from CFC whose many fans in attendance must have been anticipating a long evening at this point.
The home side smelled blood and continued to attack a Chattanooga side that had won two games in a row but have been shaky this year. A Baye Coulibaly effort on eight minutes smacked the outside of Jakupović’s net. CFC defender Tate Robertson saw yellow just shy of the 20th minute for a foul on Thomas while more efforts came from Romero, Simon Tonidandel, Dylan Sing, and Emmanuel Uchegbu. The Brazilian Thiago was looking dangerous and dictating much of the home side’s progressive play.
For their part, Chattanooga were looking for an equalizer. Luke Husakiwsky had an early shot go wide while Logan Brown, Xavier Rimpel, Yuval Cohen, and Nick Mendonca all had efforts saved by Odunze. Jakupović also made a terrific foot save off a Dylan Sing shot. Half-time stats painted a picture of an evenly matched game, with a roughly equal share of possession and chances.
The second half started much like the first, with a Crown Legacy goal early on. Thiago was still causing problems. He won the ball just outside the box before powering in a low-cross that Sing, once again allowed the first touch by a CFC defender, shot passed Jakupović. This was Sing’s eighth goal of the year and his fifth goal contribution in four matches.
It was 2-0 and Chattanooga looked like they were sinking. Someone needed to haul this side back into the game. Nugent had brought on Mangarov on the half, and he would have his say later. But the player who began the comeback was Husakiwsky. Signed just over a month ago, the 22-year-old central midfielder has been hugely impressive in his three outings for CFC. In his first game, away at Carolina Core he put in a shift in central defense. Last week, he scored on his home debut in the 1-0 win over Huntsville. Last night he scored a goal of the season contender. After (yet another) assist from Tate Robertson, Husakiwsky floated a wonderful shot with his right foot that curled through the box and passed a diving Odunze. A fine strike, worthy of any professional and near his hometown too.
Now it was Chattanooga that smelled blood. Even though Legacy had the lion’s share of chances in the half, the away side would engineer the unlikeliest of comebacks. Thanks to some experienced positioning from Jakupović and an improved level of concentration from the defense (that now included the returning Koehler to the delight of the CFC faithful) they were still in the game by the 79th minute. Husakiwsky was demonizing Crown Legacy, playing with a mix of raw physicality and deft, long passes, it looked as though the home side were struggling to know what to do with him.
And it was he, again, who had a hand in the equalizer. A Mangarov corner found substitute Keegan Ancelin’s head and the ball went low to Husakiwsky who shot at goal. The ball was blocked by Dylan Sing, guarding the near post, but his clearance smacked off the face of teammate Agyemang and into goal. A scrappy equalizer, but they all count. Crown Legacy were rightly punished for not dealing with the ball better when it first arrived in the box, allowing two CFC players to touch it.
Then came the winner. Ancelin, another substitute to make an impact, was making life difficult for Legacy captain Jack Neeley at right back. The latter mistakenly left a leg in to a challenge in the box that sent Ancelin to the floor and CFC had a penalty. Tate Robertson, who had scored three penalties in open play already this season, made it three on the night for CFC and four for his spot-kick tally. His eighth goal of the season, to add to his now 10 assists. Nobody else contributes more goals to Chattanooga’s cause than him.
After 85 minutes of play, with CFC now 3-2 up, you sensed it was over. Agyemang and Nimfasha Berchimas had desperate late attempts at an equalizer before Mangarov sealed the deal. What a comeback!
Talking points
Crown Legacy have now lost seven of their last eight games. I believe their playoff hopes are finished. It’s a poor outcome for a team that spent a lot of money on its roster this year. They have some excellent players like Odunze, Coulibaly, Sing, Thiago, and Uchegbu who I expect to see playing for Charlotte soon enough. I don’t know how a team with quality like this finishes in 11th or 12th. Gary Dicker is a talented coach with huge experience at a high-level as a player and is a graduate of Brighton & Hove Albion’s impressive coaching setup, but he’ll have a lot to answer for come season’s end.
Back in July, I really thought this Chattanooga side was destined to miss the playoffs. They looked rudderless and lacking in confidence. Something happened in August that gave this team some bite, some fight. While the wins aren’t always pretty, they’re now three in the last three and they look like a battling squad, playing for their jersey, their community, and their coach. Mid-season signings have made a huge impact, especially Gavin Turner and Luke Husakiwsky. It’s quite a turnaround.
With the win, Chattanooga gets closer to its magic number of five points to clinch a playoff spot. So, what happens now? They sit in fifth, eleven points off 9th place Carolina Core. They can qualify this weekend if results go their way. If Atlanta loses at Carolina Core and NYCFC gets two or fewer points in Chicago, Chattanooga will clinch a playoff berth. Or, and pay attention, if Carolina Core gets two or fewer points and Orlando gets one or fewer points and NYCFC gets two or fewer points, Chattanooga will clinch a playoff berth. All a bit complicated. Chris Nugent will be focused on his team and capturing it themselves next weekend at home to Carolina, and a top four finish is what he’ll be eyeing.
What a signing Luke Husakiwsky has been. The former Des Moines Menace captain signed his first professional contract just a month ago when he arrived at Finley Stadium. Since then, he’s been impactful in three games, scoring in two. He’s so physical and makes life terribly difficult for the opposition but also has an eye for goal and a quality pass too. An inspired signing, it’s a wonder he didn’t have a club before.
A word on Tate Robertson. I say this as a resident of Chattanooga and a regular attendee at CFC games who loves watching this guy, but I honestly think he’s too good to be playing at this level and should be at a USL Championship team. He’s made 18 goal contributions now and continues to be the most important offensive player in Chattanooga’s roster. Barring something truly exceptional elsewhere, he’ll be their player of the season for sure when all is said and done. Everything should be done to ensure this guy stays at Finley Stadium for as long as possible.
Box Score
Crown Legacy FC v Chattanooga FC
MLS Next Pro
Venue: Mecklenburg County Sportsplex | Matthews, NC
Final Score: Crown Legacy 2-4 Chattanooga
Referee: Wes Caouette
Scoring summary:
5’: M. Thomas (CLFC)
51': D. Sing (CLFC)
54': L. Husakiwsky (CLFC)
80': M. Agyemang (CLFC) - own goal
86’: T. Robertson (CFC) - pen
90'+2': D. Mangarov - CFC
Discipline:
20’: T. Robertson (CFC) - foul, yellow card
50’: A. García (CFC) - disssent, yellow card
Man of the Match: Luke Husakiwsky (CFC) - while Thiago played well for the home side and Robertson was important for CFC, Husakiwsky was the most influential player on the pitch. His worldie to make it 2-1 was worthy of any occasion. A goal of the season candidate for sure.
Line-ups:
Crown Legacy (4-4-2): Chituru Odunze; Mikah Thomas, Assane Ouedraogo, Morrison Agyemang, Jack Neeley (C); Baye Coulibaly (Aron John 87'), Simon Tonidandel (Erik Peña-Boardman 71'), Brian Romero, Emmanuel Uchegbu (Nimfasha Berchimas 87'); Dylan Sing, Thiago Rodrigues (Andrej Subotić 87')
Subs not used: Isaac Walker, Yves Tcheuyap, Wyatt Holt, Adrian Mendoza, Magic Smalls
Head Coach: Gary Dicker
Chattanooga FC (4-3-3): Eldin Jakupović; Milo Garvanian, Farid Sar-Sar (C), Logan Brown (Nathan Koehler 71'), Tate Robertson; Luke Husakiwsky, Nick Mendonca (Gavin Turner 61'), Callum Watson; Xavier Rimpel (Daniel Mangarov 46'), Anthony García (Keegan Ancelin 61'), Yuval Cohen (Colin Thomas 78')
Substitutes not used: J.P. Philpot, Ethan Dudley, Steeve Louis Jean
Head Coach: Chris Nugent
Next Games
• September 21st, 15:00 (ET): Chattanooga FC v Carolina Core FC, Finley Stadium, Chattanooga, TN (MLS Next Pro)
• September 20th, 19:00 (ET): Crown Legacy FC v Atlanta United 2, Mecklenburg County Sportsplex, Matthews, NC (MLS Next Pro)
Tate is absolutely too good for us...but he knows he's appreciated here--especially those of us who remember his first tenure. I selfishly hope we can keep him, but I would be thrilled for him to succeed at a higher level.