EAST RIDGE, Tn. — Chattanooga Red Wolves SC returned to the summit of the USL League One table on Saturday night, following a draw with Greenville Triumph SC. One Knoxville SC’s loss in Richmond ensured that Chattanooga would end the night a point ahead on 49. While failing to win, Head Coach Scott Mackenziee will be happy to have nipped a growing losing run.
Greenville, meanwhile, entered the weekend riding a two-match winning streak and were looking to make it three.
The evening’s proceedings featured a hard-fought battle in which defense was key as both backlines and both goalkeepers put in good shifts. The 0-0 scoreline was not so much a reflection of poor attacking as it was excellent defense. Between them, both defenses made 21 tackles, 14 interceptions, 12 blocks, and 78 clearances. The two goalkeepers shared four saves.
The game saw both sides alternating periods of possession and defensive stands. Former Red Wolves’ pair Chevone Marsh and Ropapa Mensah were given some close attention by the Chattanooga defense, indicating that friendship and familiarity were to be put aside for 90 minutes. They were fouled five times.
Defense and physicality won the day, as both sides shared a point.
For Chattanooga it sent them back to the top. However, Spokane Velocity has a game-in-hand and may yet have something to say about who takes the regular season crown.
For Greenville, they’ve narrowed the gap to playoff soccer from four points to three and have a winnable game at home against Union Omaha to look forward to next weekend.
Box Score
Chattanooga Red Wolves SC - Greenville Triumph SC
USL League One
Venue: CHI Memorial Stadium | East Ridge, TN
Attendance: 2,204
Final Score: Chattanooga 0-0 Greenville
Referee: Luis Arroyo
Discipline:
4’: O. Hernández (CRW) - foul, yellow
22’: O. Gómez (CRW) - foul, yellow
48’: C. Marsh (GVL) - foul, yellow
49’: E. Kinzner (CRW) - foul, yellow
53’: P. Corvino (GVL) - foul, yellow
65’: D. Watters (CRW) - dissent, yellow
71’: J. Aymbila (CRW) - foul, yellow
Man of the Match: Zane Bubb (GVL) - offered more defensive contributions that any other player in a game in which defense won out. This included the most clearances and joint-most interceptions. Also offered four recoveries. Was a key reason why Bentley and the Hernández pair fired blanks. In progressive play, he 109 touches and 86% of his passing from the back was successful.
Line-ups:
Chattanooga Red Wolves (5-4-1): Jason Smith; Jordan Ayimbila, Eric Kinzner, Declan Watters, Omar Gómez, Aaron Lombardi; Matt Acosta, Ualefi (C) (Wynand Wessels 61’), Matt Bentley (Kimball Jackson 71’), Omar Hernández (Zahir Vazquez 71’); Pedro Hernández
Substitutes not used: Ricardo Jérez, Owen Green, Joshua Ramos, Greyson Mercer, Alhassan Alhassan
Head Coach: Scott Mackenzie
Greenville Triumph (4-2-3-1): Gunther Rankenburg; Anthony Patti, Brandon Fricke (C), Zane Bubb, Pascal Corvino (Ivan Agyaakwah 67’); Evan Lee, Chapa Herrera; Chevone Marsh, Connor Evans, Rodrigo Robles; Ropapa Mensah
Substitutes not used: Seth Torman, Tyler Polak, Carlos Anguiano, Leo Castro, Michael Gonzalez, Zeke Soto
Head Coach: Rick Wright
Next Games
• October 11th, 18:00 (ET): Forward Madison FC v Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, Breese Stevens Field, Madison, WI (USL League One)
• October 11th, 14:00 (ET): Greenville Triumph SC v Union Omaha, Paladin Stadium, Greenville, SC (USL League One)