Chattanooga FC drew 2-2 with Huntsville City FC in the club's first-ever match in MLS NEXT Pro and won on penalties afterwards to secure an extra point in front of 4,378 fans at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The historic moment came in the 40th minute when Taylor Gray scored the club's first goal in its history in MLS NEXT Pro. Gray showed a neat piece of skill, lofting the ball past his marker before guiding in a shot with his left foot into the bottom corner.
The first half was an overall even and competitive encounter with both sides creating chances on goal. Jon Burke made a crucial save in the first half to keep things level before Gray's historic moment.
Huntsville City equalized right after half-time through Adem Sipić, who poked in from close-range.
Captain Alex McGrath restored CFC's lead from the penalty spot late on after Mehdi Ouamri was brought down by Ben Martino. However, Ollie Wright brought Huntsville back level with a curling effort.
The match finished 2-2 in regulation, but it was Chattanooga that won the penalty shootout thanks to conversions from Mehdi Ouamri, Anatolie Prepelita and Duvan Viafara and two massive saves from Burke to secure two points for CFC on the club's MLS NEXT Pro debut.
Sporting Director and Head Coach Rod Underwood spoke about the historic occasion for the club here.
Chattanooga FC will host Miami United FC in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, March 19 at 6:00 p.m. ET at Finley Stadium. Tickets for the match can be purchased here.
Notes:
- Chattanooga FC had seven players make their regular season debut for the club: Logan Brown, Jesse Williams, Andres Jimenez Aranzazu, Milo Garvanian, Callum Watson, Mehdi Ouamri and Duvan Viafara
- Alex McGrath captained the side for the first time in MLS NEXT Pro and scored from the penalty spot late in regulation
- Taylor Gray scored the first goal in CFC's MLS NEXT Pro history. Watch the goal here.
- Logan Brown and Mehdi Ouamri recorded their first assists of the season
Box Score:
Chattanooga FC (0W-0L-1D, 1SOW, 2 pts.) - Huntsville City FC (0W-0L-1D, 0SOW, 1 pt.)
Finley Stadium | Chattanooga, Tenn.
Final Score:
CFC: 2
HCFC: 2
Chattanooga FC wins extra point via shootout 3-2
Scoring Summary:
CFC: Taylor Gray (A: Logan Brown) 40’
HCFC: Adem Sipić 47’
CFC: Alex McGrath (Pen.) 84’
HCFC: Ollie Wright (A: Maximus Ekk) 88’
Discipline:
HCFC: Jony Bolaños (Caution) 35’
CFC: Milo Garvanian (Caution) 90+2’
CFC: Andres Jimenez (Caution) 90+6’
Lineups:
CFC Starters: Jonathan Burke, Joseph Perez, Logan Brown (Duvan Viafara 90+2’), Anatolie Prepelita, Jesse Williams, Alex McGrath, Andres Jimenez, Luis Garcia Sosa, Taylor Gray (Mehdi Ouamri 79’), Ethan Koren (Callum Watson 78’), Milo Garvanian
Substitutes: Jean Antoine, Michael Barrueta, Jesus Ibarra, Jalen James, Robert Screen, Gavin Castle
HCFC Starters: Ben Martino, Fernando Ciceron, Joel Sangwa, Chris Applewhite (Scott Cheevers 46’), Isaiah Jones (Ollie Wright 71’), Izzy Johnston (C), Sergi Oriol (Brennan Creek 66’), Jony Bolaños, Forster Ajago, Julian Gaines, Adem Sipić (Maximus Ekk 66’)
Substitutes: Simon Jillson, Jake Grekowicz, Alejandro Velazquez-Lopez, Dominic Wilson, Alexis Cerritos
