Chattanooga FC hosts Kalonji Pro-Profile in the first round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, March 18 at 6:00 p.m. at Finley Stadium.
Chattanooga FC will kick off its 11th U.S. Open Cup campaign on Wednesday night when it hosts UPSL Premier Division side Kalonji Pro-Profile (KSA) for the first round of competition.
This year will be the 111th edition of the U.S. Open Cup, with the first round taking place across the country from March 17-19 with 32 games being played between amateur teams from the Open Division and professional sides. Second round matchups will be played between March 31 and April 1.
Out of the field of 80 teams, Chattanooga FC will be one of only two MLS NEXT Pro sides (Carolina Core FC) competing in the 2026 Open Cup, along with 16 MLS first teams that will enter competition in the Round of 32.
Know the Opponent
Kalonji Pro-Profile (KSA), based in Lawrenceville, Georgia, compete in the UPSL Premier Division and most recently were crowned champions of the Georgia Conference at the end of 2025.
The club qualified for the U.S. Open Cup first round for the first time in its history when it defeated UPSL rivals Potros FC 1-0 in Snellville in the fourth qualifying round on November 23, 2025. Left-back Grant Carr scored the decisive goal from the penalty spot.
Kalonji opened the 2026 UPSL spring season with a dominant 4-0 win over Augusta Arsenal SC at Shiloh Stadium on Saturday, March 14 with goals scored by Owanja Medard, Zain Hylton, Ethan Joyner and Braiden Kalonji.
Players to watch include former Atlanta United 2 forward Karim Tmimi and Saint Kitts and Nevis U-20 national team goalkeeper Ashon Maynard.
KSA Head Coach Bruno Kalonji was recently appointed to coach the Saint Kitts and Nevis U-20 national team.
Facts and stats
Chattanooga FC's overall U.S. Open Cup record is 6W-7L-6D (3 advancing, 3 failing to advance).
The furthest the club has advanced in the competition is the third round.
One of CFC's most memorable U.S. Open Cup victories came in 2022 when current captain Alex McGrath scored before the clock hit 60 seconds in a 3-1 victory over the now-defunct Memphis 901 (USL Championship) in the second round. McGrath was joined on the pitch by current teammate and fellow centurion Tate Robertson and current Interim Head Coach Richard Dixon.
Match info
Venue: Finley Stadium | Chattanooga, Tennessee
Kick-off: 6:00 p.m. ET, Wednesday March 18
Broadcast: U.S. Soccer YouTube | Talent: Josh Lill (PxP) and Ryan Davis (Analyst)
Radio: CFC on Mixlr | Talent: Gabriel Schray
