Read on for a full recap, stats and more.
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (March 15, 2026) — Chattanooga FC fell to Chicago Fire FC II 2-1 in a close encounter on Sunday afternoon.
Making his 100th appearance for the club, captain Alex McGrath scored for the second consecutive game.
Last season's MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot winner Jason Shokalook opened the scoring for the hosts in the 10th minute when he glanced in a header from a cross sent in by Dylan Borso.
Chicago had the Golden Boot winners from the past two seasons in its starting XI. The 2024 winner, David Poreba, nearly made it 2-0 when he struck the post with an outside-of-the-boot shot from outside the penalty area.
While Chicago was dominant for the majority of the first half, there was a glimmer of hope for Chattanooga FC late in the opening half. McGrath nearly found an equalizer when he slid a shot past Chicago goalkeeper Owen Pratt, but the Chicago backline was able to clear in time. Daniel Mangarov produced a shot just off target moments later.
On the other side of the half, McGrath did indeed find the equalizer when he slammed in an effort from about ten yards out off the under side of the crossbar and in.
However, Chicago regained its lead ten minutes later when Poreba headed in another accurate cross sent in by Borso.
Chattanooga produced a flurry of chances in the final minutes of the match. Isaiah Jones had a shot on target saved before Pratt made a stunning, reflex save from a close-range shot attemped by substitute Damien Barker John, ensuring the hosts claimed its first win of the season.
Chattanooga FC will have a quick turnaround as it hosts Kalonji Pro-Profile in the first round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at 6:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday evening. Tickets are on sale here.
CFC returns to MLS NEXT Pro action when it makes the short trip over to face Huntsville City FC on Saturday, March 21 with kick-off set for 8:00 p.m. ET.
Box Score
Chicago Fire FC II (1-1-1, 5 pts.) - Chattanooga FC (1-2-0, 3 pts.)
SeatGeek Stadium | Bridgeview, Ill.
Final score:
CHI: 2
CFC: 1
Scoring summary:
10': Jason Shokalook - CHI
50': Alex McGrath - CFC
61': David Poreba - CHI
Stats (CHI / CFC):
Shots: 17 / 12
Shots on goal: 2 / 4
Blocked shots: 8 / 6
Total passes:Â 500 / 342
Passing accuracy percentage: 86.2 / 82.2
Corners: 11 / 6
Total crosses: 6 / 3
Offsides: 1 / 0
Goalkeeper saves: 2 / 0
Clearances: 7 / 6
Fouls: 13 / 13
Discipline:
16’ - CFC, Tate Robertson (Caution)
27' - CFC, Anthony Sorenson (Caution)
73' - CHI, Damian Nigg (Caution)
78' - CFC, Isaiah Jones (Caution)
89' - CHI, Robert Turdean (Caution)
Lineups:
Chicago starters: Owen Pratt, Viktor Radojevic (Josue Pfrommer 70'), Jack Sandmeyer, Christopher Cupps, Dylan Borso (Hugo Berg 82'), Sergio Oregel Jr. (Chase Nagle 83'), Richard Fleming III (C), David Poreba (Vitaliy Hlyut 76'), Poso Dithejane (Robert Turdean 77'), Damien Nigg, Jason Shokalook
Substitutes not used: David Molenda, Mateo Clark, Tidiane Diawara, Dean Boltz
Head Coach:Â Mike Matkovich
Chattanooga starters: Eldin Jakupović, Anthony Sorenson (Damien Barker John 86'), Nathan Koehler (Darwin Ortiz 74'), Farid Sar-Sar Yves Tcheuyap, Isaiah Jones, Tate Robertson, Alex McGrath (C) (Keegan Ancelin 74'), Anthony Garcia, Daniel Mangarov (Ashton Gordon 46'), Alex Krehl (Ameziane Sid Mohand 80')
Substitutes not used: Griffin Huff, Mattias Hanchard
Head Coach: Richard Dixon
