Match Recap: Chattanooga FC outduels Huntsville City FC 2-1
After a lethargic first-half, Chattanooga FC came from behind to beat Huntsville City FC 2-1 in the Rocket City. Goals from Nathan Koehler and Daniel Mangarov sealed the comeback win after Alan Carleton had opened the scoring for the hosts. Yet again, Swiss international Eldin Jakupović, intrumental in CFC winning the previous meeting this season between these sides, was the hero when he saved a Blake Bowen penalty in stoppage time.
Huntsville Lineup
Xavier Valdez was given a second consecutive start in goal, and the four ahead of him were Tyshawn Rose, Blake Bowen, Zach Barrett and Kevin Carmichael.
The midfield pairing of Philip Mayaka and Pep Casas supported the front four of Real Gill, Ethan O’Brien, Gio Miglietti and Alan Carleton.
Off the bench, cameo appearances were handed to Adem Sipic, Damien Barker John, Isaiah Jones and Moises Véliz. The only two outfielders not to feature were academy stars Tristan Tropeano, an Alabama native, and Thad Sawyer.
Chattanooga Lineup
Head Coach Chris Nugent made two changes from the one that triumphed in Toronto. Milo Garvanian returned to the starting XI after overcoming a recent knock while Steeve Louis Jean was handed is second start of the season. Robert Screen and Nick Mendonca were rested.
Most notable on the team sheet was the return of Jalen James after a lengthy injury spell. The 25-year-old was last on a team sheet in October, and he came off the bench to play his first 15 minutes of soccer in over eight months.
Between the Whistles
From the start, things went exactly as we expected. Huntsville commanded large, ginormous portions of the ball, and Chattanooga was very happy to let them do so. What they wouldn’t have been happy about was the number of big chances they were allowing Huntsville to create, only for Jakupovic to be the hero each and every time.
After the break, the scores were finally altered, as it took a deflected shot from Alan Carleton in the 48th to finally best Jakupovic. That would be the only time all night. Chattanooga found their way back through a header from Nathan Koehler in the 63rd, and from here the game got tense.
Both teams were creating chances, both teams were sputtering at the end. Then, in the 83rd minute, Daniel Mangarov launched a volley befitting the aerospace history of the city of Huntsville into the back of the net to give Chattanooga the lead.
Huntsville thought they’d have a chance late, as Blake Bowen went down for a penalty, only for Jakupovic to once again play the villain for the hosts, as he saved the ensuing penalty from the foot of Bowen.
The Numbers
Chattanooga FC
Shots: 9
Shots on goal: 3
Possession: 29%
Corners: 8
Yellow Cards: 2 (Keegan Ancelin, Jalen James)
Huntsville City FC
Shots: 19
Shots on goal: 7
Possession: 71%
Corners: 7
Yellow Cards: 1 (Xavier Valdez)
Analysis
Philip Farrell: CFC came into this game on fine form, but you wouldn’t have known it from the first half performance, as Huntsville looked sharper and more dominant. While that may be worrying, and on another day, they could have conceded more, the response in the second 45 minutes was positive. Again, without dominating most of their games, nor indeed any significant collective or individual statistics this season, Chris Nugent’s side seem to find ways of winning games. Huntsville had roughly three times as many shots and on-target shots as Chattanooga and will be bitterly disappointed to have let their regional rivals take 3 points from them again. For the visitors, this is an important result, against their nearest chaser in the table, and while others have games in-hand, Chattanooga now enjoys an eight point cushion atop the Eastern Conference.
A note on Daniel Mangarov. He took his goal brilliantly and has undoubtedly been CFC’s best signing of the season. The 23-year-old has six goal contributions in league play this year, as well as a goal in the cup. As he continues to produce he’s set to become something of a talisman for the side.
Ronan Briscoe: Everything was there for Huntsville, or should’ve been. 71% of the ball, doubled up Chattanooga’s shot total and shot on goal tally, everything you could ask for.
Except the goals. Perhaps the injury to Gunnar Studenhofft and the suspension of Christian Koffi was too much to overcome, but this team still created more than enough to have been ahead before Carleton’s goal.
But all the applause in the world must go to Eldin Jakupovic. He is far, far too good of a player for this league, even at 40 years old. Every time the ball entered his gravitational field, he caught it. If Chattanooga continues on this pace, I’d seriously consider, and yes I’m serious, handing the MLS Next Pro MVP award to Jakupovic. He’s been that good.
Not only this, but with other results around the conference, Huntsville drops to third in the East. Less than ideal for sure. Next up for the Rocket Men is a trip to Toronto FC II, before a home date with Orlando City B on June 6th.
Forgot to put it in the article, but announced attendance was 4,985