Chattanooga FC will host MLS NEXT Pro Cup next Sunday, November 8, at 6:00 p.m. ET at Finley Stadium.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (November 1, 2026) — Chattanooga FC lifted the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference Championship trophy after a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Columbus Crew 2 on Sunday evening at Finley Stadium.
By being the highest remaining seed left in the competition, CFC will host next Sunday's MLS NEXT Pro Cup Final at Finley Stadium at 6:00 p.m. ET.
Chattanooga FC is the first independent club in league history to host and play in MLS NEXT Pro Cup, and the Eastern Conference trophy represents the first piece of silverware won by the club since joining the league.
Columbus jumped into an early two-goal lead when Chase Adams and Kevin Gbamble scored in the 12th and 17th minute respectively.
However, CFC didn't panic, and a goal from captain Alex McGrath moments before referee JC Griggs blew the halftime whistle, injected the belief the Boys in Blue needed to ultimately complete the comeback.
CFC started the second half on the front foot. Alex Krehl, McGrath and Sorenson all had chances early in the second half, signalling the intent from the hosts.
Damien Barker John found the equalizer in the 71st minute, finishing superbly in the bottom corner.
And then there was the moment that Chattanooga Football Club will never forget.
In the fifth minute of stoppage time, Farid Sar-Sar rose to meet a cross sent in by Tate Robertson and headed in the winning goal to send the CFC faithful into a frenzy.
What they said
"We're on top of the world right now," Head Coach Richard Dixon said in his post-match press conference. "It's everything that we dreamed it was going to be, and the guys again came up with the goods. The crowd was amazing tonight. It was an amazing atmosphere and performance from the guys to end the game in that fashion. It was a brilliant performance and well deserved from the team."
Sar-Sar said: "That's already in the top three moments [of my life] for sure! What a moment to be alive. It was amazing. I was levitating. It's a moment you dream about when your'e a kid playing football, scoring in a final in the last minute... All of the work we have put in was worth it."
Barker John said: "We never wanted to give up. We went down early, but we had a lot of game to play. We kept fighting. Everyone was together. After I scored the second goal, I knew we were going to win. We had the momentum and we felt we could come back."
Next up
Chattanooga FC will return to Fort Finley for the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Cup against LAFC 2 on Sunday, November 8 at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are already on sale!
Box Score
Chattanooga FC - Columbus Crew 2
Finley Stadium | Chattanooga, Tenn.
Final score:Â
CFC: 3
CLB: 2
Scoring summary:
12': Chase Adams, A: Nico Rincon
17': Kevin Gbamble
45'+3': Alex McGrath, A: Damien Barker John
71': Damien Barker John
90'+5': Farid Sar-Sar, A: Tate Robertson
Stats (CFC / CLB):
Expected goals (xG): 1.84 / 1.48
Possession: 44% / 56%
Shots: 17 / 14
Shots on goal: 7 / 4Â
Blocked shots: 2 / 4
Total passes: 381 / 484
Passing accuracy percentage: 85.8 / 87
Corners: 4 / 3Â
Total crosses: 6 / 6Â Â
Offsides: 2 / 0
Goalkeeper saves: 1 / 4
Clearances: 6 / 7
Fouls: 9 / 8
Discipline:
81' - CLB, Moses Nyeman (Caution)
Lineups:
Chattanooga FC starters: Eldin Jakupović, Yves Tcheuyap, Farid Sar-Sar, Nathan Koehler, Anthony Sorenson, Isaiah Jones (Alexis Arrúa 64'), Tate Robertson, Alex McGrath (C) (Luke Husakiwsky 81'), Daniel Mangarov (64'), Damien Barker John, Alex Krehl
Substitutes not used: Michael Barrueta, Mattias Hanchard, Steeve Louis Jean, Darwin Ortiz, Francis Amoateng, Yuval Cohen
Head Coach: Richard Dixon
Columbus Crew 2 starters: Luke Pruter, Isaac Heffess, Rui Aoki, Gianmarco Di Noto (Zach Lloyd 76'), Brent Adu Gyamfi, Nico Rincon, Johann Chirinos, Jorge Salmeron (Moses Nyeman 76'), Prince Forfor (Tristan Brown 70'), Chase Adams, Kevin Gbamble (C)
Substitutes not used: Stanislav Lapkes, Oneal Taylor, Alan Torres, Gio De Libera, Immanuel Ewing, Jamil Danjaji
Assistant Coach: Chris Rogers
