Match Recap: Chattanooga FC sees off Huntsville City FC challenge
An early Daniel Mangarov strike was all that separated both sides in a tight affair
With about five minutes of normal time to play, and during a rare lull in the noise from the Chattahooligans, goalkeeper Eldin Jakupović charged toward the home crowd at Finley Stadium, waved his arms, screamed at the fans, and challenged them to make more noise. The moment was a wonderful example of the intimate connection that exists between CFC players and supporters, even during intense moments, and one that the fans in the stadium were more than happy to oblige, answering with a wave of guttural encouragement.
The moment was a fitting one for the Bosnian-born Jakupović, capping off an imperious performance between the posts. He made five game-winning saves, several of them from close range, and 12 recoveries and demonstrated the experience and ability that his impressive resume dictates. Although it will be Daniel Mangarov’s goal that will mark the box-score, this win felt like it really belonged to Chattanooga’s 39-year old goalkeeper.
Today’s game was intended to be an evening fixture but was brought forward to the early afternoon to avoid a clash with forecasted inclement weather. The change of plans, and the wet morning in the Scenic City likely kept a lot of fans away, but there was still a lively crowd at Finley Stadium to help Chattanooga FC open their home account of 2025.
CFC Head Coach Chris Nugent sent out roughly the same side as that which claimed an impressive away win against Inter Miami II last week. As predicted by the Southeast Soccer Report, Ethan Dudley was brought in to replace Logan Brown. There were no other changes, except for on the bench where Jesus Ibarra and Peter Plougmand, both injured last week, were brought in alongside defender Nathan Koehler, signed only the day before.
For Huntsville’s Chris O’Neal, he introduced to the starting lineup a trio of players who’d been with the first team. Chris Applewhite and Wyatt Meyer slotted into the centerback and midfield spots respectively, while Julian Gaines got his first match action of 2025 at the right back position. Other than that, the other eight players who started the season opener last weekend retained their positions.
The game was barely two minutes old when new Chattanooga winger Mangarov met a deft touch from Keegan Ancelin inside the penalty area, controlled the ball well and placed a quick shot passed the outstretched arm of Erik Lauta. The goal was Mangarov’s first professional goal of his career, after providing an assist last week in Fort Lauderdale.
Jakupović was called into action almost immediately to preserve the lead as the early goal saw Chattanooga settle into a largely defensive posture for much of the game. They happily gave Huntsville the ball (the visitors had 74% possession) and countered on the break. Looking dangerous every time their did make a foray into the opposite half, they created big chances for Mangarov and Ethan Dudley in this way, but the home side were unable to double their lead.
On the other end, Huntsville’s Christian Koffi was a consistent menace to Chattanooga’s right backs, and would have grabbed a goal or two had it not been for some last-gasp defending and the brilliance of Jakupović. In the middle of the park, the pairing of Meyer and Pepe Casas controlled the game for the Rocket Men but Huntsville couldn’t find a breakthrough in spite of all their possession.
The second half began much as the first had ended, with the visitors in possession and besieging Chattanooga’s penalty box. Jakupović was forced into two brilliant saves on the 47th and 50th minutes from Koffi and Myers respectively, denying Huntsville again. The heroics of their goalkeeper seemed to inspire the CFC players, who finally began their offensive play, enjoying about 25 minutes of dominating possession and chances before their goalkeeper’s passionate appeal to his supporters.
A smash-and-grab win for Chattanooga and an important second win in two.
Match Takeaways
Philip Farrell-
Momentum can be everything for Chris Nugent. The Englishman was brought into the Head Coach position at Finley Stadium late last year, and this represents his first full season at the helm.
Two wins in two matches is a perfect start, even if the details of each game could have dictated a different story. Today, a more clinical visiting side or a simple lapse from Jakupović or his defenders could have yielded a very different storyline. Chattanooga look comfortable without the ball, which is a stark change from the soccer they played in 2023-24 under Rod Underwood. Perhaps Nugent has learned valuable lessons from CFC’s shortcomings in those seasons.
It will be fascinating to see how this side progresses in the first half of this season, in terms of personnel and lineups, as well as tactical approach. Do CFC plan on playing this way all year, or is Nugent cautiously examining his players and finding the best ways of using them? Time will tell.
Elsewhere, Mangarov, while not immaculate in all aspects of his game today, has provided two goal contributions in his first two games as a professional, and Keegan Ancelin continues to look very impressive. There was a debut for Nathan Koehler, who seemed hungry and assertive when he came on, giving Nugent extra options in central defense. Expect big changes for Wednesday’s Open Cup tie.
Ronan Briscoe-
We talked in the preview about how a lot came down to game models for these two teams. It turned out matchday one was in fact indicative of the overall playstyles of both teams.
Chattanooga grabbed their goal super early, and dared Huntsville to break them down. Huntsville finished the game with 74% of the possession, and 25 shots. The problem? Only five of those shots were on target.
Last weekend against Chicago, Huntsville managed a shot on target rate of 62.5%. This game, it fell all the way to 20%. That’s the story of the game. Huntsville kept the ball, got into dangerous positions pretty consistently, and then couldn’t test Eldin Jakupović at anywhere near the frequency they should.
Don’t get me wrong, Jakupović was incredible, I gave him my man of the match for a reason. Every time he was called on, he made a stop. But with the possession the Rocket Men had, and where they had it, you have to put more than 20% of your shots on target.
Chattanooga seem comfortable to exist in transition moments, and Huntsville seem comfortable to exist with the ball. It’s always interesting when conflicting styles meet, and on this occasion it was the hosts that better executed their game plan.
Box Score
Chattanooga FC - Huntsville City FC
Finley Stadium | Chattanooga, TN
Final Score: Chattanooga FC 1-0 Huntsville City FC
Attendance: Undisclosed
Scoring summary:
2': Daniel Mangarov (CFC)
Discipline:
34' - Yellow - Julian Gaines (HCFC)
40' - Yellow - Minjae Kwak (CFC)
48' - Yellow - Callum Watson (CFC)
54' - Yellow - Zach Barrett (HCFC)
Man of the Match (Philip): Eldin Jakupović (CFC)
Man of the Match (Ronan): Eldin Jakupović (CFC)
Line-ups:
Chattanooga FC: Eldin Jakupović, Tate Robertson, Ethan Dudley, Farid Sar-Sar, Milo Garvanian, Nick Mendonca, Callum Watson (Steeve Louis Jean 71'), Alex McGrath (C), Daniel Mangarov (Markus Naglestad 71'), Minjae Kwak (Jesus Ibarra 64'), Keegan Ancelin (Nathan Koehler 81')
Subs not used: Michael Barrueta, Logan Brown, Robert Screen, Darwin Ortiz, Peter Plougmand
Injured/Scratched: Jalen James, Ameziane Sid Mohand.
Head Coach: Chris Nugent
Huntsville City FC: Erik Lauta, Julian Gaines (Tyshawn Rose 64'), Zach Barrett (Malik Henry-Scott 63'), Chris Applewhite, Blake Bowen (C), Wyatt Meyer, Pep Casas, Ethan O'Brien, Damien Barker John (Real Gill 78'), Christian Koffi, Raul Miglietti (Gunnar Studenhofft 63')
Subs not used: Ammar Delic, Kevin Carmichael, Isaiah Jones, Moises Véliz Rodriguez, Adem Sipić.
Injured/Scratched: Unknown
Head Coach: Chris O’Neal
Next Games
• March 19th, 18:30 (ET): Chattanooga FC v Corpus Christi FC, Finley Stadium, Chattanooga, TN (US Open Cup)
• March 28th, 19:00 (CT): Huntsville City FC v Philadelphia Union II, Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium, Huntsville, AL (MLS Next Pro)
BTW to add some context on the stoppage of noise from the Chattahooligans in 109 during that moment, it was because Farid Sar-Sar was down injured and for a moment it looked serious so we stopped (as is our custom). Eldin obviously got us back going and Farid was fine - thank goodness.
let's GOOOOO!