Match Recap: Chattanooga FC 1-0 Huntsville City FC

CFC sweeps neighbors

Luke Husakiwsky (L) scored on his home debut and first start for CFC. Photo credit: Chattanooga FC Communications

A header from midfielder Luke Husakiwsky helped Chattanooga FC to a 1-0 win over local rivals Huntsville City FC 1-0 at Finley Stadium on Saturday evening. The victory sees Chattanooga complete the season series sweep over Huntsville having defeated them by one-goal margins in their previous two meetings this year.

Huntsville missed the opportunity of their game-in-hand to leapfrog New York Red Bulls II and into first place. They remain in second, level on points with third place Philadelpiha Union II and two points off the Red Bulls.

Chattanooga, meanwhile, jumped ahead of New England Revolution II and into fifth, level on points with fourth place Chicago Fire II (although the Revs and the Fire have three and two games-in-hand respectively). Crucially, though, they’ve opened up an 11 point gap to ninth place Orlando City B, vital if they’re to see playoff soccer this fall.

Chattanooga Lineup

Head Coach Chris Nugent handed a first start to former Des Moines Menace captain Luke Husakiwsky, who made his home debut. One player making his full debut for the club, and full debut as a professional, was Yuval Cohen. Fresh off signing from Inter Miami II, where he’d been on an Academy contract, the striker had played for Miami against this Huntsville side, only last week.

With Nathan Koehler injured, Logan Brown was again handed a starting berth in central defense. Otherwise, injuries aside, it was a largely as-expected line-up from Nugent.

Huntsville Lineup

Xavier Valdez got the start in goal in front of a changed backline featuring Chris Applewhite, a returning Zach Barrett, Jordan Knight and Blake Bowen, who wore the armband as ever.

In midfield, Pep Casas, Moises Véliz and Philip Mayaka supported a front three of Ethan O’Brien, Alioune Ka, and Alan Carleton.

Calls to the bench were made for Gio Miglietti, Maximus Ekk, Kevin Carmichael, Tyshawn Rose and Damien Barker John.

Between The Whistles

Chattanooga began as the more dominant of the sides, with Callum Watson and Farid Sar-Sar going close for the home team. In the 21^st minute, a long ball from CFC right-back Tate Robertson was chased by teammate Gavin Turner. Huntsville’s Jordan Knight snuffed out the opportunity, leading to a Chattanooga throw. The long throw-in from Robertson found Luke Husakiwsky, making his home debut and first start for CFC, who’s header looped over Huntsville keeper Xavier Valdez and into the net. It was Husakiwsky’s first professional goal and also the indefatigable Robertson’s ninth assist in MLS Next Pro this year.

At the other end, Huntsville gradually got more into the game after a slow start. Knight, Blake Bowen, Moisés Véliz, Ethan O’Brien and Alan Carleton saw multitudes of chances blocked or saved. Forward Alioune Ka was an early casualty, going of injured after only eight minutes, and was replaced by Gio Miglietti. Miglietti then went closest, hitting the crossbar with a 34^th minute effort after some good interplay with O’Brien. The effort had beaten Eldin Jakupović in the CFC goal, but the Swiss international had done just enough to force the shot high and off the bar.

Jakupović, instrumental in Chattanooga’s previous wins over Huntsville this season, was imperious again here. He made four saves on the night, including a wonderful footed save from Knight on 38 minutes. Despite his 40 years, he continues to demonstrate impressive spryness and agility, and his vast experience in the game shows through his positioning and command of his defense.

The second 45 brought more of the same, with Huntsville knocking repeatedly on CFC’s door, only to be turned away by Jakupović and his defense. More attempts rang in from Véliz, Miglietti, Carleton, O’Brien, Philip Mayaka, Damien Barker John, and Maximus Ekk but couldn’t break through Chattanooga’s blue wall. There was little for Valdez to do at the other end, as CFC were keenly focused on maintaining their lead. Attempts by Robertson and substitute Anthony García were their only offensive offerings.

As the game drew to a close and into six minutes of overtime, the tension in the ground was thick as soup. Thanks in part to the presence of a small but loud band of Nashville/Huntsville fans, the atmosphere at Finley Stadium was boiling, especially into those latter stages. Huntsville continued to lay siege to Chattanooga’s box, pounding the goal area. Every block from a player in blue, every clearance, was met with relieved cheers from the home support and exasperated howls from visitors. This ground has seen too many slip-ups, too many penalty shootouts after tied games. On Saturday night, the people of Chattanooga wanted only one thing; a regulation win and three points at home. After making another save, this time off Ekk, Jakupović, holding the ball, ran toward the Chattahooligans waving his arm and amping up an already riled up pack. The moment defined the evening, the fight, the resilience of the home team, on and off the pitch. The final whistle blew, and CFC had their first home win since May 24^th.

A frustrating night for Huntsville and a most disappointing one too. Outfoxed yet again by a stubborn and brick-walled CFC defense, they dominated this game with three times the possession, three times the number of shots, and over twice as many shots on target. It counted for nothing though as they returned to Rocket City with 0 points across all three meetings with CFC. They also missed the chance to go top of the table, which will hurt. They’re an excellent side though, and perhaps CFC are just simply their bogey team.

The Numbers

Chattanooga FC

Shots: 8

Shots on goal: 2

Possession: 24%

Corners: 4

Huntsville City FC

Shots: 26

Shots on goal: 5

Possession: 76%

Corners: 10

Analysis

Philip Farrell: The performance of Jakupović has been highlighted above, but a mention also needs to go to his defense. Make no mistake, Huntsville were the ‘better’ of the two sides, certainly in an attacking and creativity sense. Why they couldn’t win was down, as always, to some luck, but mainly to a superb defensive performance. Farid Sar-Sar, Logan Brown, Tate Robertson, and Milo Garvanian all put their bodies on the line for this win, all made game-winning tackles and blocks. As did substitute Ethan Dudley. Even teenage midfielder Gavin Turner, on loan from DC United, put in a battling and physical shift. CFC are not the same team they were in Spring, when they won games through their offense. If they can successfully transform this Fall into a team that wins from the back, this might be the approach they use to obtain playoff soccer.

The resilience and fight, from Jakupović to Turner, is something that we’re seeing more of. You get the sense this team was hurting after its abysmal June and July form. Two weeks ago in Orlando, they looked like they were beginning to turn that hurt into fight, coming back so late to tie the game and then win the PKs. Last week in Carolina, you sensed from the celebration off Tate Robertson’s penalty that they were letting off some pent up frustration. On Saturday, against Huntsville, they looked to be fighting again, for themselves, the jersey, the city, the fans, and their coach. Chris Nugent came in for some criticism in the Summer. After the final whistle of this game Nugent’s face, a mask of concentration moments before, broke into an unrestrained, joyous shout, his fists pumping the air. Normally so calm and composed, you saw this meant as much to him as anyone.

Ronan Briscoe: A third matchup with Chattanooga, a third matchup where it felt like Huntsville did everything right, except score.

This Chattanooga side is proving to be a unique thorn in the side of a Huntsville attack that is usually among the best in the league, and that’s all credit to the staff in the Scenic City. This is a team with a clear identity and they are ruthless in their defense.

It’s kinda brilliant to see honestly. These teams may very well meet a fourth time in the playoffs at this rate. Count me in for that potential box-office smash. Conflicting styles and identities produce good matchups, and Huntsville just can’t seem to figure out this Chattanooga defense.

It was unfortunate to see Alioune Ka and Chris Applewhite both head off with minor injuries as well, hope it’s not too bad for either of them.

Box Score

Chattanooga FC v Huntsville City FC

MLS Next Pro

Venue: Finley Stadium | Chattanooga, TN

Final Score: Chattanooga 1-0 Huntsville

Attendance: 3,266

Referee: Gerald Flores

Scoring summary:

22’: L. Husakiwsky (CFC)

Discipline:

30’: L. Husakiwsky (CFC) - foul, yellow card
45’: N. Mendonca (CFC) - poor sportsmanship, yellow card
76’: P. Mayaka (HNT) - poor sportsmanship, yellow card
81’: D. Barker John (HNT) - foul, yellow card

Line-ups:

Chattanooga FC (4-3-3): Eldin Jakupović; Milo Garvanian, Farid Sar-Sar, Logan Brown (Ethan Dudley 83'), Tate Robertson; Luke Husakiwsky (Jalen James 69'), Nick Mendonca (Steeve Louis Jean 59'), Callum Watson; Gavin Turner, Daniel Mangarov (Anthony García 69'), Yuval Cohen (Keegan Ancelin 59')

Substitutes not used: Michael Barrueta, Xavier Rimpel, Darwin Ortiz, Markus Naglestad

Head Coach: Chris Nugent

Huntsville City FC (4-2-3-1): Xavier Valdez; Jordan Knight, Zach Barrett, Chris Applewhite (Kevin Carmichael 71'), Moises Veliz (Tyshawn Rose 71'); Pep Casas, Philip Mayaka; Alan Carleton, Blake Bowen (Damien Barker John 60'), Ethan O'Brien; Alioune Ka (Gio Miglietti 8', Maximus Ekk 60')

Substitutes not used: Erik Lauta, Bryce Boneau, Gunnar Studenhofft, Real Gill

Head Coach: Chris O'Neal

Next Games

• September 12th, 19:00 (ET): Crown Legacy FC v Chattanooga FC, Mecklenburg County Sportsplex, Matthews, NC (MLS Next Pro)

• August 30th, 18:30 (CT): Atlanta United 2 v Huntsville City FC, Fifth Third Stadium, Kennesaw, GA (MLS Next Pro)