Chattanooga FC will host CT United FC at Finley Stadium on Sunday, March 8 for the first independent derby of 2026, with kick-off at 3:00 pm ET, presented by Food City.
Chattanooga is looking to bounce back in Sunday's match against CT United FC after falling to Crown Legacy 4-1 at home in its season opener.
Damien Barker John struck first for CFC's first goal of the season just 31 seconds into regulation, the club's quickest since joining MLS NEXT Pro and the eighth-fastest in league history, but Crown Legacy went on to score four unanswered goals.
Focus now shifts to Matchweek 2 as CFC prepares to take on new independent expansion side CT United for the first time. Sunday's matchup will be the only scheduled meeting between the two this season, with Connecticut becoming a member of MLS NEXT Pro's Northeast Division in 2026.
Coach's corner
Interim Head Coach Richard Dixon spoke with media about how Chattanooga hopes to move forward this weekend.
"Obviously we didn't have the start that we wanted last week, so it's about building little by little, so we can be a little better on the ball going forward and progressing it through the thirds. Can we be a little bit cleaner and more clinical in the final third and around the goal? I think set pieces have been a big mainstay for us here, so we need to be a little bit better on set pieces and making sure that we're proactive defensively and pushing the defensive line so we don't concede those easy transition moments."
Know the opponent
In its inaugural season, CT United FC joins Chattanooga FC and Carolina Core FC as the only three independent clubs competing in MLS NEXT Pro.
Connecticut named Shavar Thomas as the club's first-ever head coach. Previously, the Jamaican defender made over 50 international appearances and has since found success in coaching, as he led Portmore United to a Jamaican Premier League title and most recently worked with FC Cincinnati 2.
CT United made a statement in its inaugural match with a 3-1 victory over FC Cincinnati 2 on the road. Midfielder Robbie Mora scored the first goal in club history, and both Ibrahim Kasule and Alex Monis added their names to the scoresheet in the second half.
Match info
Venue: Finley Stadium | Chattanooga, Tenn.
Kick-off: 3:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, March 8
Broadcast: MLSNEXTPro.com / OneFootball | Talent: Peyton Gallaher
Internet Radio: CFC on Mixlr | Talent: Gabriel Schray
Team uniforms for Sunday's match
Referees
Head Referee: Stefan Perri
Assistant Referee 1: Alexandru Focea
Assistant Referee 2: Alex Adkins
4th Official: Dorian Del Toro
