CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (September 8, 2024) — Chattanooga Football Club faced Columbus Crew 2 for the first time on Sunday afternoon, and were victorious 2-1 for three crucial points at Finley Stadium.
Goals from Jesus Ibarra and Milo Garvanian either side of halftime saw CFC return to winning ways with just three matches remaining in the regular season.
Ibarra, returning from a long-term injury, ran onto a lofted through ball from Andres Jimenez Aranzazu and lofted the ball over Columbus keeper Cole Johnson, to give CFC the lead in the 41st minute. Garvanian doubled the home side's advantage in the 67th minute when he tapped in from close range after a brilliant team move.
Columbus answered back in the 75th minute with a header from Owen Presthus, but it proved to be a mere consolation.
"At this point in the season we're just trying to pick up points," said Sporting Director and Head Coach Rod Underwood. "We want to keep ourselves in the conversation for the playoffs and that's what we're really working on. Guys stepped up. Logan [Brown], Robert [Screen]; everyone worked hard today. There was a good, mature mentality, but it's just one step for us."
The result sees CFC remain in ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings and go level on points with Chicago Fire II (38), who currently occupy the eighth and final playoff spot.
CFC will get a bye week next weekend before travelling to face New England Revolution II on Saturday, September 21st at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Noteworthy
- CFC snapped Crew 2's 12-match unbeaten run
- Jesus Ibarra returned to the starting line-up for the first time since June 13th after recovering from an injury
- Ibarra scored his sixth goal of the season to move joint-second with Alex McGrath (6)
- Logan Brown made his first start in the league since the home opener on March 16th
- Substitute Robert Screen made his first MLS NEXT Pro appearance of the season
- Milo Garvanian scored in back-to-back matches
Box Score
Chattanooga FC (8W-9L-8D, 6SOW, 38 pts.) - Columbus Crew 2 (10W-6L-8D, 4SOW, 42 pts.)
Finley Stadium | Chattanooga, Tenn.
Attendance: 3,127
Final score:
CFC: 2
CLB: 1
Scoring summary:
41': Ibarra - CFC
67': Garvanian - CFC
75': Presthus - CLB
Stats (CFC/CLB):
Possession: 35% / 65%
xG: 1.3 / 0.95
Shots: 9 / 7
Shots on goal: 4 / 5
Blocked shots: 3 / 1
Total passes: 379 / 559
Passing accuracy percentage: 78.4 / 88.7
Corners: 6 / 5
Free-kicks: 11 / 8
Total crosses: 3 / 12
Offsides: 1 / 0
Goalkeeper saves: 4 / 2
Clearances: 7 / 1
Fouls: 8 / 13
Discipline:
18' - CLB: Presthus (Caution)
23' - CLB: Greene (Caution)
31' - CLB: Zengue (Caution)
83' - CFC: Arthur (Caution)
Line-ups:
CFC starters: Jean Antoine (Jonathan Burke 64'); Farid Sar-Sar, Anatolie Prepelita, Logan Brown; Andres Jimenez Aranzazu, Joseph Perez (Robert Screen 78'), Milo Garvanian, Callum Watson (Jude Arthur 65'), Alex McGrath (C); Taylor Gray (Markus Naglestad 90'+6), Jesus Ibarra (Jalen James 65')
Substitutes: Michael Barrueta, Damian Rodriguez, Ethan Koren
Head Coach: Rod Underwood
CLB starters: Cole Johnson; Jacob Greene, Xavier Zengue (C), Owen Presthus; Brent Adu-Gyamfi, Giorgio DeLibera, Ibrahima Sy (Cooper Flanary 86'), Terron Williams (Dylan Randazzo 63'); Gibran Rayo, Jayen Da, Anthony Alaouieh (Ameziane Sid Mohand 73')
Substitutes: Alexander Zochowski, Christopher Rogers
Head Coach: Kelvin Jones
Post-match reaction
