Match Preview: Chattanooga FC v Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
Highly anticipated local match-up takes place this Wednesday
Game details
Match: Chattanooga FC v Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
Date: Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025. 19:00 (Eastern)
Venue: Finley Stadium, Chattanooga, TN. Capacity: 20,412
How to watch: US Soccer on YouTube
Tickets: Chattanooga FC website
Chattanooga FC of MLS Next Pro faces-off at home against the Chattanooga Red Wolves of USL League One in the Second Round of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, April 2 with kick-off set for 7:00 p.m. ET at Finley Stadium. This is likely the most widely anticipated match-up in Round 2 with multiple threads and storylines weaved through it.
The Southeast Soccer Report has been building up to the game, with coverage across various angles featuring Section 109’s podcast about the history of Chattanooga FC and the Red Wolves, reporting on the Red Wolves’ recent depth building, discussions with Chattanooga FC’s front office on marketing and selling this game, speaking to Red Wolves’ goalie Jason Smith on his season so far, getting the perspective of Chattanooga FC’s Head Coach, players, staff and fans on the game, and an interview with Red Wolves’ Head Coach Scott Mackenzie. I’ll be at Finley Stadium covering the game on Wednesday for the Southeast Soccer Report, and a post-game recap will follow.
Its taken 6 years for this match-up to finally happen. With ticket sales outpacing anything seen in the city before for a Cup fixture and people travelling in from out of town for the spectacle, this should be an absolute cracker.
The History
Oh boy…
These two teams may have not played one another before, but that’s not to say that they don’t have history together.
Its not my place to re-tell this story, as it all went down before my time covering these teams, and indeed before I lived in the Chattanooga area. To learn more about the story of Chattanooga FC and the Chattanooga Red Wolves, I strongly encourage you to listen to the Section 109 Podcast’s excellent recent episode which was featured on the Southeast Soccer Report (see below).
Suffice to say there is no love lost between these two sides, which should make for a fascinating game and an enthralling atmosphere.
Record
This will be Chattanooga FC’s tenth Cup run since they made their debut in the competition in 2011. Their best finish is the Third Round, which they reached in 2014, 2025, 2016, 2022, and 2023 (although it should be noted that in some seasons, they didn’t need to play in the First Round). Last season’s early elimination at home at the hands of Miami United was a disappointing start to their first year as an MLS Next Pro side. They beat USL League Two’s Corpus Christi 1-0 at home to reach the Second Round this year.
The Red Wolves’ 2024 Cup run was their most successful yet, seeing off the UPSL’s Brockton FC United and Apotheos FC (NPSL) before getting knocked out in extra time by the USL Championship’s Birmingham Legion. They reached the Second Round after knocking out New Jersey Alliance of the NPSL on penalties.
Report cards and lineups
Chattanooga FC
Chattanooga FC (CFC) remains unbeaten after its first four official matches of the 2025 campaign (3W-0L-1D, 1SOW). This includes an away win at Inter Miami II, home wins against Huntsville City and Corpus Christi, and an away tie at Atlanta United 2, after which it won the penalty shoot-out. Keegan Ancelin and Markus Naglestad each have 2 goals already this season, while other goals have come from Milo Garvanian, Tate Robertson, and Daniel Mangarov.
While Head Coach Chris Nugent broke from his consistent norm at Atlanta United 2, opting for a 3-4-2-1 formation, I expect him to revert to his 4-3-3 for this game (or 4-1-4-1 depending on how you see it). Markus Naglestad playing the full 90 minutes on Sunday, so I expect Keegan Ancelin to regain his place as starting striker. Logan Brown will likely tag in for Ethan Dudley as they’ve done all season. Otherwise, the line up should be largely as expected.
Red Wolves
The Red Wolves has also yet to lose this season, playing 3 and tying 3 (0W-0L-3D), all on the road. This includes tying at Naples, at NJ Alliance in the Open Cup (which it won on penalties), and at Charlotte Independence. Former Chattanooga FC Academy player Omar Hernández has scored the Red Wolves’ lone league goal so far this season while Matt Bentley scored two in its Open Cup draw in New Jersey.
Scott Mackenzie recently brought in two new players in Zahir Vazquez and Alhassan Alhassan, and re-signed Omar Gomez. Alhassan started in Charlotte, while the other two were subbed on, so I expect at least one of them to start. Omar Hernández had looked injured before Friday’s game but did come on as a substitute, so if fully fit he may start against his former (academy) club. Elsewhere Tobi Jnohope, who was suspended for that league game should be available again to slot in beside Watters. Will the club start Jason Smith, their first choice goalkeeper (and sometimes outfielder), or opt again in the Cup for the veteran Ricardo Jérez? Should be play, its important to note that Smith has yet to concede a goal in open play this season, saying much about his quality and that of a solid defense in front of him.
PSA
For fans travelling to the game the advice, is to come early. Gates will open from 5:30pm and the club are planning giveaways. With 15 sections sold out as of writing, the North Stand will be open for away fans and spillover for home fans. For those who can’t be in the Scenic City for the clash, the game will be streamed on the US Soccer Federation’s YouTube channel.
Analysis and Prediction
Off the field this promises to be one of the most memorable evenings of sport in local history. On the field, its very hard to predict. Chattanooga FC has home advantage and comes into this game with its attack purring and its defense solid, backed by a top-class goalkeeper. While the visitor’s may be slightly less prolific up front, they appear very tight at the back, and also boast an in-form keeper. With the two teams having never played one another before and operating in different league systems, predicting a win on the basis of form and personnel alone is hard.
Chattanooga FC’s players have home advantage and a record-breaking crowd will mostly be cheering for them. This could very well be the thing that makes the difference. I am going with 1-0 to Chattanooga FC.