Match Preview: Arlington Soccer Blue vs Chattanooga FC
Match one of eight in WPSL playoffs this Saturday
Match: Arlington Soccer Blue v Chattanooga FC
Date: Saturday, July 12th, 2025
Time: 5PM EST
Location: RavenTek Park, Leesburg, VA. Capacity: 1,500
Watch: National Soccer Network on YouTube
Head Coaches: George Hales (ARL), Juan Hernandez (CFC)
Chattanooga FC marches north to the DMV suburbs this Saturday to take on Arlington Soccer Blue. The WPSL South Region Playoff semi-final kicks off at 5pm (Eastern) at RavenTek Park / Revolution Sports Park in Leesburg, Viginia. The winning team will take on either host side McLean Soccer or LA Krewe Rush in the final. That other semi-final kicks off at 7.30pm at the same venue.
Arlington Soccer Blue (W4; D1; L3; GF28; GA13) finished second in the Atlantic Conference - District Division, nine points behind first placed McLean Soccer, who host these playoffs. This is Arlington’s second season in the WPSL after joining as a 2024 expansion team.
Chattanooga FC ended its regular season (W5; D1; L1) in second place in the Southeast Conference - Peachtree Division. Advancing to the Conference Final after Decatur FC declined to participate; they booked their place in these playoffs after defeating in-state rivals Nashville Rhythm FC 1-0 on July 3rd to become the 2025 WPSL Southeast Conference Champions.
The game will be broadcast live on the National Soccer Network on YouTube.
Arlington Report Card
Led by Head Coach George Hales, Arlington had quite an interesting season. After losing their first three games, against sister-club Arlington Soccer Red (A), bottom side Alexandria Reds (H) and UK FC (A), they went on a magnificent six-game unbeaten run, which included five wins.
A high-scoring team; they banged in 28 goals in eight games, with local duo Jocelyn Lohmeyer and Olivia Stafford each scoring five. The player to watch, if available (an important issue in the WPSL post-season) is attacker Ellie Stokes. The 21-year-old from Alexandria, Virginia scored four goals this season and brings international experience, having been capped by Saint Kitts and Nevis.
While Saturday’s game is at a neutral venue for both teams, albeit much closer to home for Arlington, the Blues’ away record in 2025 stands at two wins and two losses.
Chattanooga Report Card
Juan Hernandez’s Chattanooga come into this game after a regular season in which they scored 17 and conceded five (for a goal difference of +12). Away from home they won two and drew one (with one away game against Decatur being abandoned due to inclement weather).
CFC were without their top scorer (eight goals) Reese McDermott in the game against Nashville Rhythm due to college commitments. She’s not expected to be available on Saturday. Chattanooga native Kennedy Ball is more than capable of filling in, having netted four this year. Goalkeeper Maddie Smith and attacker EG Dillard were recently named as the WPSL South Region Players of the Week. Dillard is one to watch this Saturday. It was her who secured the club’s playoff berth with her first goal of the season coming in the final 10 minutes against Nashville. Thate strike broke the 0-0 deadlock and gave CFC their conference title.
Analysis & Predictions
A tough one to call. Arlington enjoys a degree of home advantage and are on strong form, unbeaten in six games. They boast strong goalscorers and some international experience.
Chattanooga are one of the most professionally disciplined sides in the entire league, and enjoyed a near flawless season, losing only once. Against the Rhythm they showed how far they’ve come, finally defeating a long-time rival. And while they didn’t win their division, they’re worthy Southeastern champions.
I’m going for 2-2 and a PK shootout.
The winner will advance to the WPSL South Region final on Sunday, July 13th. The South Region Champion, along with the other three region champions, will move on to the WPSL Championship, which will take place from July 18-20 in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
