Jakupović heroics help Chattanooga stay unbeaten
Penalty shoot-out goes visitor's way as Atlanta United 2 search for first season win
Its fair to say that Eldin Jakupović might be the most high caliber player to ever pull on a Chattanooga FC shirt. The 40-year old Bosnian-born shotstopper, has 27 Premier League appearances to his name, UEFA Champions League and Europa League experience, and an international cap with Switzerland (he was also part of their Euro 2008 squad). Tonight, as before for CFC, this talent and experience were demonstrated as he made three crucial saves, and settled the penalty shootout.
Atlanta United 2 had the superior record of the two sides in coming into this game, but had started the 2025 season with a loss and a draw. Chattanooga on the other hand, came to Kennesaw on a three-match winning run. We felt this game would be close, predicting a 2-2 draw which turned out to be correct, it could well have been different had it not been for CFC’s commanding goalie.
Steve Cooke decided not to start two influential players; Javier Armas who started all 28 of Atlanta’s games last season and scored in all three meetings with Chattanooga, was rested along with striker Rodrigo Neri. Had the latter been on the field from kick-off this may have been a very different game. Otherwise it was a largely as expected offering from Cooke, who’s side lined out in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
In the other dugout, Chris Nugent made four changes from the team that started against Corpus Christi in the Open Cup with Nathan Koehler, Ethan Dudley, Jesus Ibarra and Markus Naglestad coming in for Logan Brown, Steeve Louis Jean, Daniel Mangarov and Keegan Ancelin. Nugent changed from his 4-3-3 setup that he’s opted for so far this season, to a 3-4-3 and playing three center backs. Milo Garvanian and Tate Robertson were pushed up further to provide more advanced wing coverage. It was a first start for Koehler and a 100th appearance for Naglestad, who became the club’s third centurion, joining Zeca Ferraz and Juan Hernandez.
On an afternoon that had seen scattered, and sometimes heavy showers, the game started amid dry skies and a frenetic opening 5 minutes. This game was played at a particularly high level of intensity, with the two teams belting a combined 39 shots toward goal (19 on target), 6 blocked shots, 11 corners, 29 crosses (24 from Atlanta), 10 clearances, and 13 fouls. Amazingly, not a single card was issued. The first half saw both sides get chances, with Noah Cobb, Efrain Morales, and Ryan Carmichael all going close for Atlanta. Alex McGrath also went close for the visitors and Jakupović was forced into a particularly good save on 39 minutes.
But it was in the second half that this game firmly came alive and Jakupović again came to CFC’s rescue on 58 minutes. But it was the visiting team who would get the breakthrough. Who scored it though, is a bit of a debate.
In the 64th minute, Garvanian swung a cross over the box to his opposite number, Tate Robertson on Chattanooga’s right. The 27 year old took one touch before shooting toward goal with his right foot. What happened next is hard to be sure of, even after watching the replay back. The ball went into the net, but definitely touched the foot of someone other than Robertson on its way. Did it go off Naglestad or was it an own goal by Atlanta’s Morales? Depends who you asked. Naglestad himself celebrated by pointing at Robertson, which could either indicate he was recognizing his teammate as the goalscorer or was acknowledging his assist. The stadium announcer initially gave it to Robertson, before correcting to Naglestad. FotMob ran it as a Morales own-goal, before crediting Naglestad. In the end, the official ruling was that Morales got the final touch directly from Robertson's initial shot, so CFC's full-back was awarded with his first official goal of the 2025 season. However, I’ve watched this goal back a number of times, and am convinced it hits Naglestad’s left foot last. I encourage you to watch the goal for yourself, and comment below who you think really put it in the net.
A little over ten minutes later, Atlanta United 2 found an equalizer. As the rain started to return, and many fans sought shelter in the concourse, Nykolas Sessock passed the ball into the box, finding Cayman Togashi. The experienced Japanese forward miscued his connection and the ball bobbled to substitute Neri. CFC’s defense felt it was offside and their hands went up, but those hands weren’t joined by a flag on the sideline. The 19-year old former Atlético Madrid player took his chance well, slotting in a goal across to Jakupović’s left. Chattanooga’s players continued to argue for offside, and perhaps with justification, but the goal stood and it was 1-1.
Nine minutes after that, CFC again took the lead, this time through Keegan Ancelin, who had replaced Jesus Ibarra and was playing out wide. Nugent will have been happy to see another good performance from Ancelin, and in a more unfamiliar wide position. While he struggled at times to deal with the physicality of the Atlanta defense he set up and took his goal very well. Leading a counter-attacking break, he fed the ball to fellow substitute Robert Screen who’s shot was parried by Josh Cohen. Ancelin was there to smash in the rebound and CFC were sure they’d won it.
But Neri would come back again to further dampen their day. Into the fourth of five stoppage time minutes, and with the rain clearing, Armas floated a lovely pass into the box that was deftly headed down by Togashi to Neri who pounded it into the net from close range. Chattanooga’s defenders will be kicking themselves to have let Togashi get to the ball first, unmarked, and for letting it bounce in the box for Neri to pounce. An excellent strike, and the game was tied at 2-2.
The resulting penalty shootout saw Chattanooga take the bonus point. After saving Togashi’s effort, Jakupović's stopped Luke Brennan's attempt and Chattanooga’s horde of travelling supporters (who fittingly were in section 109) were elated.
For Atlanta United 2, the search for a first win of the season goes on. They’ll face 8th place Inter Miami II at home next weekend. Chattanooga FC, meanwhile, have the highly anticipated visit of USL League One’s Chattanooga Red Wolves (whose Head Coach Scott Mackenzie was in attendance today in Kennesaw) to Finley Stadium on Wednesday in the US Open Cup Second Round.
Match Takeaways
Atlanta United 2 are a much better side than their recent record and league position would have you believe. They were unlucky today as they dominated possession (61%), shots (24-16), shots on target (10-7), big chances (8-1), and pass accuracy (87%-81%). Were it not for a certain Swiss goalkeeper, they could have won tonight. But, the most important statistic is the scoreline, and they defended poorly for CFC’s two goals.
Alex McGrath went off injured late in today’s game, replaced by debutant Darwin Ortiz. His fitness will be crucial if CFC are to continue their strong form, as his talent and leadership are key drivers to this team. Having spoken to him on Friday, I know he’s dead keen to play against the Red Wolves on Wednesday, so his fitness will be important to watch.
Markus Naglestad played a full 90 minutes today and was very close to having his 60th goal for the club, after scoring his 59th last week. He’s one of only three players to reach 100 appearances, a feat Alex McGrath will replicate soon. With young and hungry strikers in Ancelin and Pater Plougmand chomping at the bit to play soccer and score goals, Naglestad’s evergreen form will give Chris Nugent a welcome headache in selection.
Box Score
Atlanta United 2 - Chattanooga FC
MLS Next Pro
Venue: Fifth Third Stadium | Kennesaw, GA
Final Score: Atlanta United 2 2-2 Chattanooga FC (Chattanooga won the penalty shootout 4-3)
Attendance: Undisclosed
Scoring summary:
64': T. Robertson (CHA)
78': R. Neri (ATL)
87': K. Ancelin (CHA)
90+4': R. Neri (ATL)
Shootout summary:
✓: M. Naglestad (CHA)
✓: J. Armas (ATL)
✓: F. Sar-Sar (CHA)
X: C. Togashi (ATL)
✓: R. Screen (CHA)
✓: R. Neri (ATL)
X: N. Mendonca (CHA)
✓: N. Cobb (ATL)
✓: D. Mangarov (CHA)
X: L. Brennan (ATL)
Discipline: no cards issued.
Man of the Match: Rodrigo Neri (ATL) - while Jakupović made many key saves to earn his team the point and bonus point, he did concede two goals, and both to Neri. The young striker changed the game when he came on, scoring two in open play, one a poacher’s finish and the other a sterling strike. He also slotted home his penalty. A great performance from the 19-year old.
Line-ups:
Atlanta United 2 (4-2-3-1): Josh Cohen; Ronald Hernández, Noah Cobb, Efrain Morales, Nykolas Sessock [C]; Cooper Sanchez (69’ Javier Armas), Will Reilly; Moises Tablante (69’ Rodrigo Neri), Ryan Carmichael, Luke Brennan; Cayman Togashi
Subs not used: Jonathan Ransom, Adyn Torres, Ronan Wynne, Majub Bran Toto, Salvatore Mazzaferro, Arif Kovac, Patrick Weah
Head Coach: Steve Cooke
Chattanooga FC (3-4-2-1): Eldin Jakupović; Farid Sar-Sar, Nathan Koehler, Ethan Dudley; Tate Robertson (77’ Minjae Kwak), Alex McGrath [C] (86’ Darwin Ortiz), Nick Mendonca, Milo Garvanian (77’ Robert Screen); Callum Watson (59’ Daniel Mangarov), Jesus Ibarra (59’ Keegan Ancelin); Markus Naglestad
Subs not used: Michael Barrueta, Logan Brown, Steeve Louis Jean, Peter Plougmand
Head Coach: Chris Nugent
Next Games
• April 6th, 19:30 (ET): Atlanta United 2 v Inter Miami II, Fifth Third Stadium, Kennesaw, GA (MLS Next Pro)
• April 2nd, 19:00 (ET): Chattanooga FC v Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, Finley Stadium, Chattanooga, TN (US Open Cup - Second Round)