EAST RIDGE, Tn. — It came late, very late. After an evening in which the Chattanooga Red Wolves, with an usually high 46% of ball possession, had hammered Charlotte Independence’s goalmouth for 90 minutes, the dam was finally overcome.
They had to do it differently than before. Like them, Charlotte lined out in a 5-4-1. Like them, Charlotte was happy to avoid the ball and attack on the counter. Against such stubborn copycats the Red Wolves had to assume the role of sieging army and Head Coach Scott Mackenzie to throw everything from his bench at them.
Eventually, on the 90th minute, Chattanooga’s eight corner of the game was initially deemed to have been headed in by Omar Gómez. Certainly the stadium announcer thought so. Replays showed that it was Charlotte substitute Paolo Alcocer who had headed into his own net. Unfortunate for the Bolivia youth international, who had only been on the field ten minutes. The Red Wolves, those on the field and on the bench, ran to celebrate in the corner, while Charlotte’s goalkeeper Matt Levy looked dejected.
It was a deserved win, however, despite Charlotte’s tough defending. Chattanooga had put 14 shots to their goal over 90 minutes. The Independence had only managed six of their own. And while Charlotte had their short periods of attacking pressure on the Red Wolves, it was Chattanooga that always looked the most dangerous, with Yanis Lelin and Pedro Hernández firing off a joint-most four efforts on goal.
24 fouls saw referee Joe Surgan kept busy, but he handled proceedings well, managing to issue only three cards and never letting the game slip away from him. Yanis Lelin was superb at full-back on the right for the Red Wolves. Other fine performances came from across Chattanooga’s defense who marshaled the experienced Christian Chaney well. The midfield battery of Wynand Wessels and Ualefi dictated the pace of play. Josh Ramos looked dangerous when he came on.
Anthony Sorenson and Omar Ciss had decent games for a Charlotte side that looked like one waiting for a leader or talisman to show up, but never did.
The result sees Chattanooga remain in first-place and now an important six points ahead of Spokane Velocity in second. Spokane has a game-in-hand and plays at home against bottom club Westchester today, which they’ll likely win. Charlotte remains in fifth place but are now level with AV Alta on 31 points thanks to the latter’s 3-3 tie yesterday with Forward Madison.
Match takeaways
This was an important win for the Red Wolves, and for two reasons. One because it gives them continued breathing space ahead of second-place Spokane Velocity, which has a winnable home game against bottom club Westchester later today. Secondly, it shows that this team is capable of pulling out three points against teams to who play a similar game as themselves. Yes, the goal was an own goal, but it wasn’t ‘lucky’. The Red Wolves had besieged Charlotte’s box most of the evening and continued pressing for their goal late into the tie.
It’s a small thing for sure, but it was great seeing Red Wolves’ veteran, goalkeeping player-coach Ricardo Jérez go up to and console a dejected Matt Levy after the final whistle. At 39 years of age and with 60+ international caps, Jérez has been around the block and is a proper professional. No doubt his warm words will have brought some comfort and inspiration to the 25-year-old Levy. Great sportsmanship!
My thanks to Jason Jensen for the images in this story. You can see more of Jason’s work on his Instagram.
Box Score
Chattanooga Red Wolves SC - Charlotte Independence
USL League One
Venue: CHI Memorial Stadium | East Ridge, TN
Attendance: 2,011
Final Score: Chattanooga 1-0 Charlotte
Referee: Joe Surgan
Scoring Summary:
90’: P. Alcocer (CLT) - own goal
Discipline:
22’: O. Gómez (CRW) - foul, yellow
46’: J. Ayimbila (CRW) - foul, yellow
54’: B. Ndiaye (CLT) - foul, yellow
Man of the Match: Yanis Lelin (CRW) - Wasn’t on the field when Chattanooga finally scored but put in a solid shift in defense and attack to ensure Red Wolves’ domination of the game. Made at least one crucial defensive contribution and took the joint-most number of shots (4) at the other end.
Line-ups:
Chattanooga Red Wolves (5-4-1): Jason Smith; Jordan Ayimbila (Joshua Ramos 63'), Eric Kinzner, Tobi Jnohope, Omar Gómez, Yanis Lelin (Zahir Vazquez 85’); Pedro Hernández, Wynand Wessels (Matt Acosta 72’), Ualefi (C), Omar Hernández (Aaron Lombardi 64’); Greyson Mercer (Matt Bentley 71’)
Substitutes not used: Ricardo Jérez, Owen Green, Alhassan Alhassan
Head Coach: Scott Mackenzie
Charlotte Independence (5-4-1): Matt Levy; Anton Sorenson, Pele Ousmanou, Nick Spielman, Clay Dimick, Christopher Jaime (Fabrice Ngah 80’); Jon Bakero (Souaibou Marou 68’), Omar Ciss, Bachir Ndiaye (Paolo Alcocer 80’), Rafael Jauregui (Tumi Moshobane 68’); Christian Chaney
Substitutes not used: Amal Knight, Javen Romero, Tresor Mbuyu
Iván Bonus, Mike DeShields, Adrian Renteria, Nata Martinez, Matthew Arango, Adrian Renteria, Nathan Gray, Christopher Jaime, Juan David Moreno, Miles Rice, Pedro Fonseca
Head Coach: Mike Jeffries
Next Games
• September 13th, 18:00 (ET): Portland Hearts of Pine v Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, Fitzpatrick Stadium, Portland, ME (USL League One)
• September 12th, 19:00 (ET): Charlotte Independence v FC Naples, American Legion Memorial Stadium, Charlotte, NC (USL League One)