Yuval Cohen signs for Chattanooga FC
Latest of a mid-season signing campaign
After announcing the signings last week of forward Anthony García and midfielder Luke Husakiwsky, the signing of forward Xavier Rimpel last month, and the departure of Jesus Ibarra a few weeks ago, Chattanooga Football Club made another tweak to their roster yesterday with the announcement that they’d signed 19-year-old forward Yuval Cohen. This represents another piece of a puzzle Head Coach Chris Nugent appears to be aiming to solve as the team gears up for a play-off place run-in this fall.
Hailing from Las Vegas, Cohen has dual American and Israeli citizenship. He was an effective goalscorer at high school level in his native state and was most recently on the books of Inter Miami, spending the past two seasons with their MLS Next Pro team as an Academy player.
With the Herons, Cohen made 19 appearances (nine as a starter) in the 2024 MLS Next Pro season, scoring seven goals and nabing one assist. This included scoring in their 6-2 defeat by Coumbus Crew 2 in the Eastern Conference Quarter Final. He scored against his new club back in August 2024, netting the second of five goals Miami put on CFC that day.
This season, he’s made 13 league appearances (three as a starter), scored three goals and made one assist. In the US Open Cup, he played twice, scoring two against Miami United in the First Round.
His most recent appearance for Miami came just six days ago when he came off the bench during their 2-2 draw at home to Huntsville. He had a hand in Miami’s 83rd minute equalizer and scored their only successful shootout attempt as they lost 3-1 in the spot-kicks.
Of the three games Inter Miami II has played against Chattanooga this year, he was not in the squad for the first and didn’t come off the bench for the other two. In total he played against Chattanooga twice (in May 2024 and August 2024).
His signing for CFC mere days after lining out for Miami may be due to the Scenic City club offering him a pro contract, something he wasn’t yet on at Inter where he was still registered as an Academy player (but please correct me if I’m wrong on this).
Competition within the Inter Miami forward line clearly limited Cohen to less opportunities this year under Cristian Ledesma than in 2024 under Federico Higuaín. While the side are second-last in the MLS Next Pro Eastern Conference, they have scored 34 goals - the most of anyone in the bottom half of the table and the same as sixth-place CFC. That goal-scoring charge has been led by Mateo Saja and Daniel Pinter, with Cohen last starting in a 2-1 loss to Toronto in mid-June. His last goal in open play was in a 4-2 win over NYCFC II in early May.
Chattanooga hasn’t released details of Cohen’s contract beyond it being a pro deal. They next play Huntsville at home on Saturday 23rd August. Given that García and Husakiwsky were thrown in off the bench last weekend at Carolina Core, days after signing, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Cohen take the field this weekend at Finley Stadium.
A summary of Cohen’s goals with Miami, including hyperlinks, is below this article.
My Thoughts
I think this is potentially an excellent signing by Nugent and Sporting Director Sebastien Giraldo. Unlike a lot of incoming players this season, Cohen’s experience is not in the college game. He’s a proven goalscorer at MLS Next Pro Level. At Inter Miami II he scored a goal every 2.8 games or 133 minutes (12 goals in 34 appearances across 1,605 minutes played in all competitions). This record is even better when applied only to games in which he started, where he scored eight goals in 14 starts (a goal in every 1.75 games). If you watch the goals through the links below, you’ll see a hardworking forward not afraid to run at defenders, possessing neat ball control and dribbling skills.
With Rimpel, García, and now Cohen coming in, I am not sure what that says about the club’s hopes for one Peter Plougmand. The big Danish striker hasn’t been available to the club for a number of weeks now. Meanwhile Keegan Ancelin hasn’t been able to regain the form he showed in spring. Time will tell, but I wonder will fans at Finley Stadium soon be used to seeing a completely different front-line than before.
Cohen’s Goal Gallery
2024
vs. Columbus Crew 2 | June 13
A wonder strike from outside the box to level the tie 1-1.
vs. Chicago Fire FC II | July 06
Poacher’s goal, finishing a tidy cross to level the tie 2-2.
vs. Chattanooga FC | August 25
Cooly slotted home after lovely interplay, a dribble and a side-step, all in the box.
vs. Philadelphia Union II | September 15
Another dribbling effort, from the halfway line ran at the Union defense, his shot was deflected and in.
vs. Crown Legacy Football Club | September 29
Cool finish after taking possession near the half-way line and running solo.
vs. Carolina Core FC | October 06
Neat header off a corner kick.
vs. Columbus Crew 2 (Playoffs) | October 20
Another poacher’s finish, controlled the ball with a nice first touch in the box before his shot.
2025
vs. Miami United (Open Cup) | March 19
Controlled a cross masterfully in the box before rifling the shot home.
vs. Miami United (Open Cup) | March 19
His second of the night. Reacted well to a save by their keeper to hit in the rebound.
vs. Columbus Crew 2 | March 23
Another example of control and strength in the box. Gives his side the lead.
vs. Columbus Crew 2 | March 23
Second of the night, and fourth goal against Crew 2. A poacher’s tap-in. Also got an assist that night.
vs. NYCFC II | May 04
His last goal for Miami. Another dribbled solo effort capped by a wonderful finish.