Chattanooga FC will host Crown Legacy FC at Finley Stadium on Sunday, March 1, with kick-off at 3:00 pm ET for the club's home opener.
Chattanooga is looking to build on last season's success as it kicks off its third season in MLS NEXT Pro after reaching the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs for the first time in club history in 2025.
The Boys in Blue are set for 2026 with Interim Head Coach Richard Dixon stepping up, the expected return of captain Alex McGrath and new roster additions across the pitch.
Sunday’s season opener will be the seventh clash between Chattanooga and Crown Legacy in MLS NEXT Pro. CFC walked away victorious in two of the three meetings last season, with a six-goal thriller in their last matchup on September 12 that fell Chattanooga’s way, 4-2.
Chattanooga is slated to play Crown Legacy three times this season and will travel to face them on April 18 and August 23.
Coach's corner
Interim Head Coach Richard Dixon spoke with the media about what it means to transition into his new role as head coach.
"You go from playing for the club to coaching in the academy," said Dixon. "Then you go from retiring and jumping on the coaching staff to leading the club. It's a full circle moment that definitely means a lot. Understanding the DNA of the club and how we operate here helps as well."
Dixon also talked about what he hopes to see from his side this season.
"The way I look at football, I think no situation is ever the same. For me, it's just arming my teams with tools that they're able to solve the puzzle in front of them with. If we need to possess, or to be able to get in behind, that's what we do. If the problem is one where we need to go in a little bit more direct, then that's what we do. At any given time, tactically it's different, so sometimes I'm all for posessing, sometimes I'm attacking. It depends on how the other team sets up, how they're pressing us.
"Defensively, I want to win the ball back as quick as possible. Whether that's in transition, getting pressure on the ball right away, or if that's pressing the ball high up the pitch from a goal kick. In possession, I want to be able to get to goal and score goals, whether that be by posessing the ball or going direct."
Know the opponent
Crown Legacy FC is now led by Head Coach Kevin Sawchak, who previously served as the club's assistant coach.
The club parted ways with Dylan Sing, the club's leading goalscorer, following the 2025 season but retained eight key players including Andrej Subotić and Emmanuel Uchegbu for 2026.
Crown Legacy welcomed new signing goalkeeper Jaheim Wickham from the University of South Florida after he was selected 82nd overall in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft and added forward Nathan Richmond, defender Ashton Kamdem midfielder Daniel Longo and, most recently, Hugo Mbongue to the roster.
Match info
Venue: Finley Stadium | Chattanooga, Tenn.
Kick-off: 3:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, March 1
Broadcast: MLSNEXTPro.com / OneFootball | Talent: James Hadnot
Internet Radio: CFC on Mixlr | Talent: Gabriel Schray
Team uniforms for Sunday's match
Referees
Head Referee: Alejo Calume
Assistant Referee 1: Ben Rigel
Assistant Referee 2: Austin Holt
4th Official: Daniel Emeri
