Penalties send the Red Wolves through

Huge crowd witnesses intense battle

Photo credit: US Soccer Federation

Well, after two weeks of build-up, planning, debate, and storytelling; it was finally time for the soccer to happen. A massive crowd of 12,131 spectators rolled into Finley Stadium in Chattanooga to witness the first ever game between Chattanooga FC of MLS Next Pro and the Chattanooga Red Wolves of USL League One.

The attendance fell just short of the record for an Open Cup Second Round match, slightly behind FC Cincinnati’s crowd of 12,790 at Nippert Stadium versus AFC Cleveland in 2017.

The atmosphere was electric with the mostly clad-in-blue crowd (probably by a factor of 10 to 1) showing up early. Wait times to enter the ground, to purchase concessions, and to use the toilets were longer than I’ve ever seen them at Finley Stadium and for some, were likely a fond reminder of those halcyon days in the NPSL. The North Stand, closed for most soccer matches, was open and held the visiting component of the crowd, another rare sight. Entering the stadium, and taking my seat, this felt like soccer as it should be. A local rivalry, a baying crowd, history, and a city turning out. What could be better?

The game was tight, very tight. Questions of who is better or which league is better may have been answered, they were very evenly matched. CFC was missing its captain and talisman Alex McGrath, but otherwise both teams were at full strength. In the end, and thanks to some superb goalkeeping on both ends; two excellent free kicks are all that would hit the net in regulation time and a single penalty save would decide it.

The Red Wolves hit the ground running. Striker Matt Bentley was fouled by CFC’s Steeve Louis Jean right outside the box. Up stepped Chattanooga FC academy product, Omar Hernández, now wearing red. He lifted a left-footed shot over the wall that sunk low to the corner Eldin Jakupović’s net and the away side were 1-0 up.

CFC was quick to respond. A corner at the Red Wolves’ end led to a foul on the excellent Daniel Mangarov by Tobi Jnohope. The 23-year old from Duluth, Georgia swung his own freekick, expertly to the top corner of the Red Wolves’ net and passed a helpless Ricardo Jérez. The 39-year old Guatemalan international would have the last laugh however.

The home side thought they’d taken the lead on the cusp of half-time. A corner kick found the head of Nathan Koehler who put it in the net. However, a Red Wolves’ player had hit the ground and the referee ruled the goal out. Watching the replay, it looks like he collided with CFC’s Keegan Ancelin before going down, but its impossible to make out if it was a foul or not. Referee, Richionne Clark, judged it a to be, although I am not sure how he could be certain of that from his vantage point.

Clark would have a busy night, issuing 13 yellow cards. The second half was as tight as the first with neither team making a breakthrough in-spite of some close chances. Penalties would decide the affair, and Mangarov, who had played so well and took his goal excellently, was the one player to have his shot saved.

The Red Wolves head back to East Ridge triumphant and will learn their Round 3 opponents today. CFC will be happy with the gate receipts and the large blue crowd, emphasizing that it is the more well supported side in the area. The real winner though, was soccer. The beautiful game, the magic of the Cup.

12,131 fans were at the game. Photo credit: Philip Farrell

Match Takeaways

This was an important performance for the Red Wolves. Not just in terms of advancing in the Cup (although the club’s lack of talking about this game questions how much they value the competition) but to silence doubters about the depth and quality of this side. They remain unbeaten this season (as do CFC) and Scott Mackenzie is managing his limited resources well.

Daniel Mangarov looks to be CFC’s best signing of the offseason. Versatile and capable of playing almost anywhere in midfield, he has became an integral part of the club’s offense. Another super goal tonight (his second this season) and a constant threat, he’ll rue his penalty miss but was his team’s bets player on the night.

Such a bumper crowd is a great reminder of how popular the game is in the Scenic City. This was the place that shook with 18,000 fans in NPSL games and inspired MLS and USL to move into the Southeast region. While many fans of both teams aren’t fond of the idea of playing one another, this was a great night for soccer and financially for the home side. Nobody wants to see this pairing become a dog and pony show but future clashes between the two would be good for the game.

Box Score

Chattanooga FC - Chattanooga Red Wolves SC

Lamar Hunt US Open Cup - Second Round

Venue: Finley Stadium | Chattanooga, TN

Final Score: Chattanooga FC 1-1 Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (Red Wolves won the penalty shootout 5-4)

Attendance: 12,131

Scoring summary:

7': O. Hernández (CRW)
19’: D. Mangarov (CFC)

Shootout summary:

X: D. Mangarov (CFC)
✓: M. Bentley (CRW)
✓: R. Screen (CFC)
✓: Z. Vazquez (CRW)
✓: M. Naglestad (CFC)
✓: J. Filipe (CRW)
✓: F. Sar-Sar (CFC)
✓: P. Hernández (CRW)
✓: E. Dudley (CFC)
✓: O. Green (CRW)

Discipline:

21': C. Watson (CFC) - foul, yellow card
38': M. Garvanian (CFC) - foul, yellow card
45': J. Aymbila (CRW) - foul, yellow card
45+5': F. Sar-Sar (CFC) - dissent, yellow card
62': P. Hernández (CRW) - foul, yellow card
90+5': D. Mangarov (CFC) - yellow card
90+5': O. Gómez (CRW) - yellow card
90+6': R. Jérez (CRW) - yellow card
101': O. Green (CRW) - foul, yellow card
112': J. Ibarra (CFC) - foul, yellow card
119': M. Kwak (CFC) - dissent, yellow card
120+1': E. Kinzner (CRW) - foul, yellow card
120+10': M. Knapp (CRW) - dissent, yellow card

Man of the Match: Ricardo Jérez (CRW) - made a number of excellent saves to keep the Red Wolves in the game and stepped up to make the difference in the penalty shootout.

Line-ups:

Chattanooga FC (3-4-2-1): Eldin Jakupović; Logan Brown (69’ Ethan Dudley), Farid Sar-Sar (C), Nathan Koehler (103’ Jesus Ibarra); Tate Robertson (105’ Peter Plougmand), Nick Mendonca, Steeve Louis Jean, Milo Garvanian (‘87 Minjae Kwak); Callum Watson (87’ Robert Screen), Daniel Mangarov; Keegan Ancelin (69’ Markus Naglestad)

Subs not used: Michael Barrueta

Head Coach: Chris Nugent

Chattanooga Red Wolves (3-4-2-1): Ricardo Jérez, Declan Watters, Eric Kinzner, Joshua Ramos (72’ Zahir Vazquez); Tobi Jnohope (83’ Owen Green), Ualefi (C) (71’ Omar Gómez), Michael Knapp, Jordan Ayimbila (118’ Jonny Filipe); Pedro Hernández, Omar Hernández (61’ Alhassan Alhassan); Matthew Bentley

Subs not used: Jason Smith, Kimball Jackson

Head Coach: Scott Mackenzie

Next Games

• April 5th, 19:00 (ET): Chattanooga FC v Orlando City B, Finley Stadium, Chattanooga, TN (MLS Next Pro)

• April 5th, 19:00 (ET): Chattanooga Red Wolves SC v South Georgia Tormenta, CHI Memorial Stadium, East Ridge, TN (MLS Next Pro)