FC Naples vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC Preview
The league newcomers will host an original club in front of a sellout crowd in southwest Florida.
Match Details
FC Naples v Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
Date: Saturday, March 8th, 2025. 19:00 (Eastern)
Venue: Paradise Coast Sports Complex Stadium, Naples, FL. Capacity 5,000
Tickets: https://tickets.fcnaples.com/
How to watch: ESPN+
FC Naples, one of USL League One’s five expansion teams, faces off against the Chattanooga Red Wolves SC at the Paradise Coast Sports Complex this Saturday.
The Red Wolves were a founding member of the league, having joined in 2019.
Record
FC Naples: P:0 W:0 D:0 L:0 GF:0 GA:0
Chattanooga Red Wolves: P:0 W:0 D:0 L:0 GF:0 GA:0
As this is Naples’ first ever competitive fixture, this is the first game between these two sides. The Red Wolves have only ever won one opening game, out of the six they’ve played. This will be their fifth visit to Florida (having played away games at Orlando City B and Fort Lauderdale back in 2019-21). They tied all four previous visits to the Sunshine State.
Chattanooga finished 2024 in 11th place, on a somewhat brutal 12 match winless streak.
Report Cards
FC Naples
As with any expansion club playing its first league match, there are a lot of unknowns. The biggest thing we do know is that they should have a sellout crowd welcoming them home to kick off the season.
FC Naples enters league play with strong defense, anchored by Lalo Delgado, one of the best keepers in the league. He’ll have support from league veterans Jake Dengler and Brecc Evans, likely flanked by Max Glasser and Gustavo Fernandes.
The biggest questions surround the formation of the offense as there are no clear starters. We’d guess that Jaden Onen will play a large role based on what we’ve seen in preseason reports, but other than that, it’s a lot of wait and see.
Chattanooga Red Wolves
The Red Wolves enter this season with generally low expectations among fans of USL. Red flags for this game are that they lost all their goalscoring talent from 2024, their defense, while strengthened, is untested, and some key personnel losses in the front office may also hinder the squad.
Potential positives are that their preseason went very well, that their refreshed squad may spring a surprise, and that beginning their campaign against a new, and unknown Naples may be the perfect start. A lot of maybes.
It’ll be interesting seeing how the likely trio of Jonny Filipe, Matt Bentley, and Greyson Mercer combine up front.
Prediction
Phil: Too many questions abound with these two teams, for different reasons. An expansion side, with no pedigree, at home against an established club, coming off a poor 2024, and gutted squad; makes for very difficult predicting. 0-0.
Alex: Chattanooga may have rebuilt its offense, but they still hold the advantage of having a decently strong returning core, and an experienced league coach. Look for them to slip one by and take a 1-0 win to spoil FC Naples’ home opener.