CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (February 14, 2026) — Chattanooga FC defeated One Knox SC 4-2 on penalties after the preseason match ended goalless in the latest edition of the Tennessee River Showdown.
Substitute goalkeeper Griffin Huff was the hero of the afternoon, coming up with two saves in the shootout to give the hosts the win over the 2025 USL League One champions.
The match served as the latest test for Interim Head Coach Richard Dixon and Co as the 2026 regular season rapidly approaches.
The visitors produced a handful of early chances, with goalkeeper Eldin Jakupović having to be called into action to make a crucial save.
There was an unfortunate turn of events in the 17th minute when Chattanooga FC forward Yuval Cohen was on the wrong end of a collision with One Knox's keeper and suffered a serious injury and had to be stretchered out of the stadium to receive the appropriate medical attention and care. Keegan Ancelin came in for Cohen in the 24th minute.
The half ended with winger Damien Barker John nearly producing an opening goal when, after a lung-bursting dribbling run from Anthony Garcia, he curled a shot just wide of the post.
Dixon made one change at the half, bringing Yves Tcheuyap on for Luke Husakiwsky.
The competitive edge to the match continued into the second half. Garcia's standout performance continued into the second half and the winger nearly scored a SportsCenter Top 10-worthy goal in the 72nd minute when he attempted a bicycle kick from an acute angle but his effort went just wide.
"It was a really good test for us," said Dixon. "We were trying to progress on what we did last week to get more clarity on how we want to play. We wanted to prepare for the season by bringing a winning mentality and intensity and to impose ourselves on the game, and I thought the team made a step in the right direction today."
Chattanooga has one more preseason test next weekend in a closed-door double-header before kicking off its 2026 MLS NEXT Pro campaign at home against hosts Crown Legacy FC on Sunday, March 1, with kickoff set for 3:00 p.m. ET. Tickets for the home opener can be purchased here.
Attendance: 2,456
Chattanooga FC Starting XI: Eldin Jakupović (Griffin Huff 60'); Tate Robertson, Farid Sar-Sar, Mattias Hanchard (Nathan Koehler 60'), Anthony Sorenson (Steeve Louis Jean 73'); Isaiah Jones, Luke Husakiwsky (Yves Tcheuyap 46'), Daniel Mangarov (Darwin Ortiz 73'), Damien Barker John (Ashton Gordon 73'), Anthony Garcia (Ameziane Sid Mohand 73'), Yuval Cohen (Keegan Ancelin 24', Trialist 73')
One Knox SC Starting XI: Johan Garibay; Christopher Tiao, Finn McRobb, Jordan Skelton, Jaheim Brown; John Murphy, Abel Caputo, Real Gill, Teddy Baker; Denis Krioutchenkov, Kyle Linhares
