Chattanooga FC hosts Atlanta for its final regular season match on Sunday, October 5 with kick-off set for 1:00 p.m. ET at Finley Stadium, presented by VfL Wolfsburg.
Chattanooga FC looks to keep the momentum rolling and extend its unbeaten streak to eight matches when it faces Atlanta United 2 for its final regular season fixture on Decision Day.
The Blues brought home a hard-earned three points Sunday night after a 1-0 win over New York City FC II for CFC’s third-straight win on the road. CFC defender Tate Robertson scored a brilliant set-piece goal in the 75th minute for his 9th of the season.
Chattanooga first faced Atlanta United 2 on the road early in the season on March 30 resulting in a 2-2 draw before CFC brought home the extra point with a 4-3 shootout win. The two clubs most recently met just last Wednesday, when the Blues were ahead 1-0 before the match was suspended in the 71st minute due to inclement weather. The match resumed on Thursday, October 2, and CFC finished business thanks to key saves from Eldin Jakupović to take home a 1-0 win.
What’s at stake
Chattanooga FC is aiming to lock down one of the two remaining Eastern Conference top-four seeds to earn a home playoff match. Chattanooga (51 pts) moved into fourth place and the last home playoff spot after Thursday's win, level with third-place New England Revolution II (51 pts).
The Blues pulled ahead of Huntsville City FC (49 pts) going into the final matchweek of the 2025 regular season. With a win on Sunday, Chattanooga will clinch the Southeast Division title and guarantee that playoffs are coming home to Finley Stadium.
Atlanta United 2 (37 pts) is currently in 10th place in the East, just one point behind FC Cincinnati 2 (38 pts) and eighth place Toronto FC II (38 pts).
What they said
Head Coach Chris Nugent spoke with media ahead of Decision Day and how Sunday will look different from Thursday's short performance.
"It’ll be different," said Nugent. "It’s going to be more of a balanced game, we would hope. We came in with a set plan for the scenario we were in on Thursday. It’s a different scenario when we start on Sunday, so we’re prepared for that. Obviously, the lineup probably changes slightly and some of the decisions of things we want to do will change as well."
Nugent also talked about what a home playoff game would mean to Chattanooga.
"It would be huge," Nugent said. "I mean, making the playoffs was such a big step for us this year, so to get that next step, that was the secondary part of the goal, would be huge for us. We’re in a good spot, it’s in our hands. It would still be good to get some help from other teams around and for us to do the job ourselves. I’m excited for it. The guys have continued the unbeaten streak and hopefully that goes on for another five games."
Did you know?
- Chattanooga FC has totaled 51 points through 27 matches this season, surpassing last year’s high of 45 points
- CFC defender Tate Robertson has broken the single-season assists record in club history this season (10), and he is the club’s leading goalscorer in MLS NEXT Pro (9)
- Goalkeeper Eldin Jakupović is now the league's sole leader in clean sheets (10)
- Jakupović also has the league lead in saves (122)
- Defender Farid Sar-Sar and Jakupović have played every minute of the season so far and hold the club lead in minutes played this season (2430)
Soktoberfest
Chattanooga FC is hosting Soktoberfest at Sunday’s match against Atlanta United 2! Join us to celebrate our final regular season match, presented by VfL Wolfsburg!
Know the opponent
Jose Silva has been at the helm for Atlanta United 2 (9W-10L-8D, 37 pts) since being named interim head coach on July 23 earlier this season. The club has played to a 6W-5L-0D record since Silva took over from Steve Cooke.
Sunday saw Atlanta earn a 5-2 victory over a tough Chicago Fire FC II squad, earning MLS NEXT Pro team of Matchweek 29. The club’s leading goalscorer Patrick Weah notched his eighth and ninth strikes of the season, while 17-year-old Gabriel Wesseh scored his fourth goal of the year and contributed two assists.
The club most recently finished its suspended match against Chattanooga on Thursday, falling 1-0.
Match information
Venue: Finley Stadium | Chattanooga, Tenn.
Kick-off: 1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, October 5
Broadcast: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV | Talent: Ryan Le
Audio Webcast: CFC on Mixlr | Talent: Gabriel Schray
Team uniforms for Sunday's match
Referees
Izlen Peksenar
Head Referee
Jackson Krauser
Assistant Referee 1
Rebecca Luther
Assistant Referee 2
Ethan Wilson
4th Official
