Match Preview: Chattanooga FC vs. Philadelphia Union II
Unbeaten visitor aims to pour salt in CFC flesh wounds
Game details
Match: Chattanooga FC v Philadelphia Union II
Date: Saturday, May 3rd, 2025. 19:00 (Eastern)
Venue: Finley Stadium, Chattanooga, TN. Capacity: 20,412
How to watch: Apple TV MLS Season Pass
How to listen: CFC on Mixlr
Tickets: Chattanooga FC Website
Unbeaten Philadelphia Union II travels south to take on the MLS Next Pro Eastern Conference leader, Chattanooga FC, on Saturday night (7pm). Looking to continue its strong early season start, Philadelphia has won two on the bounce including most recently an impressive 4-1 away win at New York City FC II. With no losses on the docket yet and the second-best goal difference in the Conference, this is a side with quality and momentum that should worry any in the league.
Their host, CFC, comes into Saturday’s game off the back of a humbling 3-0 defeat at bottom-club Columbus Crew 2. Prior to that game, Chattanooga was also unbeaten in all competitions, including friendlies. They’ll be looking to bounce back immediately, especially at home in Fort Finley where scoring goals has proven difficult for visitors with Chattanooga sporting a perfect 3-0-0 record, including a pair of clean sheets. Still top of the table and named MLS Next Pro Team of the Month for April, they’ll pose the greatest possible test to Philadelphia’s unbeaten streak.
The History
Saturday's match will be the second all-time meeting between the two sides. Philadelphia got the better of CFC in a 3-1 win at Subaru Park last July. Eddy Davis III, Leandro Soria, and 14-year-old Cavan Sullivan all netted for Philly that day, with CFC responding through Duván Viáfara. Davis III, Soria, and Sullivan are all still with the Philadelphia Union organization while Viáfara is now a free agent. CFC goalkeeper Jean Antoine (now retired) was also sent off that day.
The two sides will play one another twice in 2025, with a return fixture slated for July 12 at Subaru Park.
Report cards and lineups
Chattanooga
CFC had a record of five wins and one tie in league play prior to its loss in Columbus last Sunday. That one tie resulted in a shoot-out win at Atlanta United 2. Chattanooga has neither scored the most goals nor conceded the fewest and has only the fourth best goal difference in the league. Why is it still top of the table? Consistency and a talent for finding ways to win games in different ways, not relying on the same formula or talisman, as many other teams in this league tend to do. Chris Nugent, their Head Coach, hasn’t been afraid to experiment with formation, if a little less so with squad selections. His lineups have evolved since the early games, when captain Alex McGrath provided significant balance in the middle of the park that allowed the club to play a 4-1-4-1 (or 4-3-3 depending on your viewpoint). Since then, Nugent has mainly gone with a 3-4-3, pushing talented wing-backs Milo Garvanian and Tate Robertson forward where they’ve been lethal with goal contributions and set pieces. It has also generated defensive solidity having three at the back. Last week in Columbus, he opted for a 4-3-3 it seemed, but without McGrath there, I don’t think it’s as effective and limits the contributions of Garvanian and Robertson, who are more valuable as attacking wingers than wing backs, in my opinion. So, I expect Nugent to revert to the 3-4-3 for Saturday’s visit of Philadelphia.
Goalkeeper Eldin Jakupović picks himself, as does stand-in captain Farid Sar-Sar. Those two have played more league minutes (630) than any other player this year. Nugent appears to see Nathan Koehler as his second-best central defender and if he does return to a 3-4-3, it will be one of Logan Brown or Ethan Dudley to join the defense.
If Garvanian (1 goal, 2 assists) and Robertson (2 goals, 3 assists) are pushed forward, expect at least one of them to be involved in goal contributions (should CFC score). Callum Watson and Nick Mendonca are consistent selections. I believe Jesus Ibarra and Daniel Mangarov to be CFC’s best wingers currently. They have 7 goal contributions between them so far in all competitions, with Mangarov Chattanooga’s breakthrough star of the season and my player to watch. Up front it’s a toss-up between Keegan Ancelin (3 goals, 2 assists) and Peter Plougmand (2 goals). I’m going with the latter, just because Ancelin was started in Columbus.
New signing Mike Bleeker may make his debut off the bench.
Philadelphia
Starting its season off with three straight ties, Philadelphia Union initially looked a weaker side than in 2024 when it came second in the Eastern Conference and went all the way to the MLS Next Pro Final before losing to North Texas in Frisco. Two wins in a row now puts it in mid-table but with games in-hand on the sides around it. Philadelphia appears to be picking up form as we enter the summer months and come into Saturday’s game after a ten day rest.
Young Head Coach Ryan Richter favors an offensive 4-4-2 currently. Oliver Semmle and Andrew Rick have rotated in and out of the goals, but with the latter’s impressive display last week in New York, I’d expect Richter to retain his services against Chattanooga. Elsewhere at the back, Isaiah LeFlore, Rafael Uzcátegui, Neil Pierre, and Gavin Wetzel have all started the last two wins for Philadelphia, so expect to see them there on Saturday. LeFlore is a talented player, who has been on the books of several MLS outfits and has experience from Portugal. Pierre leads the defense in interceptions and blocks and is second in successful tackles and clearances. Nonetheless, this is a defense that lets in a goal per game, so CFC shouldn’t be unable to break them.
Across the middle CJ Olney Jr, captain Nick Pariano, Cavan Sullivan, and David Vazquez are also consistent selections by Richter. Sullivan, still only 15, scored against CFC last season. While still so young, he leads this squad this year in goals, goal contributions, shots, big chances, and successful dribbles. Make no mistake, this is Philadelphia Union II’s key player, a future star, and the player to watch. If nothing else, he’s a great reason to come and see this game on Saturday and watch this wonderkid in the infancy of his career.
Up top, Stas Korzeniowski and Sal Olivas should continue their partnership, both scored a goal each last time out against NYCFC II. What I like about this Union side is its goalscoring prowess currently. They’ve notched 12 in their 5 games and, like CFC, aren’t overly reliant on just one goalscorer, but enjoy contributions from around their squad.
Analysis and Predictions
While Philadelphia is travelling, it hasn’t played a game since Wednesday 23rd April. I wonder if this will make them fresher or rustier. Time will tell. Its position in the table (7th) may not look overly impressive, but remember Philadelphia has only played 5 games, the least of any team, and its only seven points behind 1st placed CFC.
While it was given a fight by Crown Legacy, I think this could be Chattanooga’s toughest home game so far in 2025 (barring the Open Cup epic against the Red Wolves). Philadelphia Union II are strong in all departments, consistent, and are dangerous in front of goal. CFC can score too, however, and apart from the loss in Columbus is usually tight at the back.
I’m going for a score draw, maybe 1-1 or 2-2.