Match Recap: Chattanooga FC falls to Crown Legacy FC in home opener

Read on for a full recap, stats and more.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (March 1, 2026) — Chattanooga FC fell to Crown Legacy FC 4-1 in its home and season opener Sunday afternoon at Finley Stadium.

The Boys in Blue came out hot as Alex Krehl, CFC's latest signing, knocked on Crown Legacy goalkeeper Graham Syratt's doorstep early with a rebounded shot in the first minute. Off of Krehl's rebound, newcomer Damien Barker John nailed home Chattanooga's first goal of the season just 30 seconds into regulation in what is the club's fastest-ever goal since joining MLS NEXT Pro in 2024.

The momentum shifted in Crown Legacy's favor in the 16th minute when winger Emmanuel Uchegbu got a fortuitous second chance and buried a shot past Eldin Jakupović to equalize.

Forward Rodolfo Aloko's 46th-minute strike put Crown Legacy ahead 2-1. Barker John nearly equalized for Chattanooga just before halftime, but his shot was saved.

Chattanooga outshot Crown Legacy 7-5 in the first half and had four shots on goal to Crown's three.

Crown Legacy's surge continued into the second half, but Jakupović made a huge save on Andrej Subotić's wide-open shot. Berchimas made it 3-1 for Crown in the 52nd minute with a goal that sailed over Jakupović and found the back of the net.

After checking into the match in the 63rd minute, Ashton Gordon had a close chance in the 76th minute, but his shot caught the outside of the net, flying wide.

Chattanooga was able to apply offensive pressure late in the match with chances from Ameziane Sid Mohand, Farid Sar-Sar and Gordon, but Aloko scored his second of the match for Crown Legacy to make it 4-1 in the last minute of regulation.

Box Score

Chattanooga FC (0-1-0, 0 pts.) - Crown Legacy FC (1-0-0, 3 pts.)

Finley Stadium | Chattanooga, Tenn.

Attendance: 3,162

Final score:

CFC: 1

CLFC: 4

Scoring summary:

1': Damien Barker John - CFC

16': Emmanuel Uchegbu - CLFC

45'+ 1': Rodolfo Aloko - CLFC

52': Nimfasha Berchimas - CLFC

89': Rodolfo Aloko - CLFC

Stats (CFC / CLFC):

Shots: 13 / 13
Shots on goal:  7 / 7 
Blocked shots: 3 / 4 
Total passes:  436 / 405 
Passing accuracy percentage:  81.2 / 82
Corners:  6 / 5 
Total crosses:  3 / 2
Offsides: 2 / 2
Goalkeeper saves: 3 / 6
Clearances: 10 / 16
Fouls: 10 / 14

Discipline:

37’ - CLFC, Willian Sangoquiza (Caution)

40' - CFC, Farid Sar-Sar (Caution)

63' - CFC, Tate Robertson (Caution)

90'+2' - CLFC, Ashton Kamdem (Caution)

Lineups:

Chattanooga starters: Eldin Jakupović, Yves Tcheuyap, Tate Robertson, Farid Sar-Sar, Anthony Sorenson, Mattias Hanchard (Nathan Koehler 52'), Damien Barker John (Ameziane Sid Mohand 75'), Daniel Mangarov, Isaiah Jones, Anthony Garcia (Ashton Gordon 62'), Alex Krehl (Keegan Ancelin 62')

Substitutes not used: Steeve Louis Jean, Darwin Ortiz, Luke Husakiwsky, Alex McGrath, Griffin Huff

Head Coach: Richard Dixon

Crown Legacy starters: Graham Syrett, Mikah Thomas (Ashton Kamdem 87'), Nimfasha Berchimas (Assane Ouedraogo 91'), Andrew Johnson, Will Cleary, Rodolfo Aloko, Willian Sangoquiza, Aron John, Andrej Subotić (Nathan Richmond 68'), Emmanuel Uchegbu (Magic Smalls 68'), Simon Tonidaniel

Substitutes not used: Jaheim Wickham, Brian Romero, Wyatt Holt, Daniel Brown, Sebastian Ventura, Magic Smalls

Head Coach: Kevin Sawchak