Chattanooga FC kicked off its preseason schedule with a narrow 3-2 defeat by USL Championship side Birmingham Legion Saturday afternoon at Finley Stadium in a match that was open exclusively to season ticket holders.
The Boys in Blue started on the front foot and put Birmingham's backline under pressure. Isaiah Jones attempted a shot from just outside the penalty area but it sailed just inches above Birmingham’s crossbar before Tate Robertson sent in a low cross into the corridor of uncertainty which nearly found Anthony Garcia on the back post.
After a promising start for CFC, Legion struck first in the 19th minute against the run of play. Ronaldo Damus tapped in from close range.
However, the hosts found an equalizer 20 minutes later when a trialist sent in a delicious cross and Garcia obliged and scored with a fierce header at the back post. The first half ended level at 1-1.
Just like the opening half, CFC started strongly and took the game to Birmingham, and in the 51st minute Daniel Mangarov put the Boys in Blue ahead.
Mangrov stripped his marker of possession before going on a one-vs-one and slotting in a low shot at the near post past the goalkeeper.
Legion equalized in the 59th minute after CFC lost possession in its defensive half and the visitors capitalized.
Interim Head Coach Richard Dixon substituted in a whole new 11 in the 60th minute, with returners Michael Barrueta, Nathan Koehler, Steeve Louis Jean, Keegan Ancelin, Darwin Ortiz and Ameziane Sid Mohand all coming in alongside new signings Yves Tcheuyap and Ashton Gordon.
It would be Legion that had the final word on the afternoon, scoring in the 90th minute to ultimately win 3-2.​
"The biggest takeaway today was seeing some relationships form across the field," said Interim Head Coach Richard Dixon. "I got to see how proactive we were to solving different problems. With the first group in the first half I saw that continue to progress throughout the 60 minutes that they were on the field. There was room for improvement from there but overall I thought the guys grew into the game, which is what we wanted to see. There's a lot of details to refine."
Chattanooga’s preseason action continues next Saturday, February 14 when the club hosts USL League One champions One Knox SC in the Tennessee River Showdown. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET. Get your tickets for the match here.
The club will also be hosting its jersey reveal party following the match in the Ultra Club. More details here.
Chattanooga FC Starting XI: Eldin Jakupović; Anton Sorenson, Farid Sar-Sar, Mattias Hanchard, Tate Robertson; Isaiah Jones, Trialist, Daniel Mangarov; Anthony Garcia, Damien Barker John, Yuval Cohen
Birmingham Legion Starting XI: Jassem Koleilat; Ramiz Hamouda, Phanuel Kavita, Dawson McCartney, Amir Daley; Samuel Shashoua, Seth Antwi, Tyler Pasher; Sebastian Saucedo, Peter-Lee Vassell, Ronaldo Damus
