CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (May 25, 2024) — Chattanooga FC hosted Atlanta United 2 in a drama-filled game, drawing 2-2 but claiming the extra point in a 5-3 shootout victory. The two points see the Boys in Blue return to the top of the table, with 22 points.
The game started quickly, with Atlanta United 2’s Luke Brennan firing a quick shot inside the box for the 1-0 lead inside 10 minutes. ATL UTD 2 enjoyed much of the offense early in the game, but CFC held strong in defense.
Toward the end of the first half, the game opened up for CFC. There were a number of chances for both sides in the final ten minutes of the half, but both goalkeepers stood their ground. At the end of the first half, both sides had two shots on target.
While ATL started the first half quickly, the Boys in Blue started the second half quicker. In the 48th minute, CFC defender Milo Garvanian fired into the back of the net off a low cross in the box sent in by captain and half-time substitute Alex McGrath to even the score 1-1.
Things went from bad to worse for Atlanta five minutes after the equalizer. Head coach Steve Cooke received a straight red card for dissent. Assistant Coach Jose Silva acted as head coach for the remainder of the game.
The momentum stayed in favor of CFC, holding a 16-9 shot advantage over the opposition. With time in regulation ticking, a set piece from captain McGrath found the head of Jesus Ibarra at the near post to take the first lead of the game.
The drama did not end there. In the final minute of second half stoppage time, CFC conceded a penalty. Javier Armas fired into the top right corner and sent the game into penalty kicks to settle the tie.
Both sides’ first three spot-kick takers finished their penalties, but Jean Antoine saved the fourth attempt from Atlanta United 2's Jacob Williams. Carlos Rivas fired home the game-winning shot to send the 4,115 Chattanooga FC fans home happy.
Chattanooga FC earned two points after a shootout to return to the top of the MLS NEXT Pro table. CFC’s next matchup will be at home at Fort Finley against New England Revolution II on June 1 at 7:00 p.m. ET. Tickets are on sale now.
Notes:
- Farid Sar-Sar made his second start of the season.
- Luis Garcia Sosa made his first start since April 17, which was also against Atlanta United 2.
- Jesus Ibarra became CFC’s top scorer on the 2024 season with five goals.
- Alex McGrath assisted both second half goals.
- Carlos Rivas scored his second point-clinching penalty-kick of the season.
- CFC has won all three shootouts at Fort Finley this season and remains unbeaten at home.
Quotes
Sporting Director and Head Coach Rod Underwood gave his reaction to the shootout win.
"Two points is two points, so we have to walk away and take that," said Underwood. "In the grand scheme of things, it's real important for us to understand that. We walk away from that on a positive. We had a slow start and we want to try and rectify that."
On the changes to the starting line-up from the defeat to Crown Legacy 10 days ago:
"We wanted to have a little more stability in the backline and control of the game. We're 11 games into the season and we're a new team. A lot of our guys got in late and didn't go through pre-season with us, so we're still trying to get it together. We have to give guys chances to play."
On what changes were made at halftime and what the message was during halftime to change the momentum:
"The halftime talk was just to talk about our press and to get that right. I felt like if we got the press right we'd have more of the ball and win the ball high up the field and keep them pinned in a little bit. That's something that was working for us, so we wanted to continue that."
On the reaction to the strong second half and two-goal performance:
"We've set a standard and the standard is that we're fighting against ourselves, we're not fighting against anybody else. That's part of us pushing ourselves to the next level. It's disappointing we didn't get the full three but you can't complain about two points."
On the induction of the club's first class of Hall of Legends at halftime:
"We're not having this conversation without them. All respect to them. In sport and in life wherever you go, you need to know the history and respect the history, and hopefully you propel that history forward on the foundation that people created for you."
Box Score:
Chattanooga FC (5W-1L-4D, 2SOW, 22 pts.) - Atlanta United FC 2 (3W-5L-2D, 12 pts.)
Finley Stadium | Chattanooga, Tenn.
Final Score:
CFC: 2 (5)
ATL: 2 (3)
Scoring Summary:
9’: Brennan - ATL
48’: Garvanian (McGrath)- CFC
87’: Ibarra - CFC
90 + 4’: Armas - ATL (pen)
Discipline:
53’ - ATL: Cooke (Dismissal)
67’ - ATL: Brennan (Caution)
82’ - CFC McGrath (Caution)
90’ - CFC Arthur (Caution)
Stats (CFC/ATL):
Possession: 52% / 48%
xG: 1.54+pk / 0.65+pk
Shots: 21 / 11
Shots on goal: 7 / 4
Blocked shots: 7 / 3
Total passes: 480 / 391
Passing accuracy percentage: 85 / 76.7
Corners: 5 / 6
Total crosses: 7 / 6
Offsides: 3 / 0
Goalkeeper saves: 2 / 4
Clearances: 2 / 11
Fouls: 18 / 8
Line-ups:
CFC starters: Jean Antoine (C), Milo Garvanian, Anatolie Prepelita, Duvan Viafara, Farid Sar-Sar, Jude Arthur, Andres Jimenez Aranzazu, Taylor Gray (Jalen James 77'), Jesus Ibarra, Mehdi Ouamri (Carlos Rivas 85'), Luis Garcia Sosa (Alex McGrath 46')
Substitutes not used: Jonathan Burke, Joseph Perez, Jesse Williams, Ethan Koren, Minjae Kwak, Damian Rodriguez
Head Coach: Rod Underwood
ATL starters: Jayden Hibbert, Jacob Williams, Ethan Dudley, Miles Hadley, Matt Edwards (C), Noble Okello, Javier Armas, Luke Brennan (Karim Tmimi 83') Alan Carleton (Matias Gallardo 60'), Erik Centeno (Adyn Torres 73'), Matthew Deijanne (Ashton Gordon 46')
Substitutes not used: Braden Dunham, John Berner, Pavel Romero, Stephen Hurlock, Shawn Lanza
Head Coach: Steve Cooke
