Read more for a full recap, including stats and post-match reaction.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (September 21, 2024) — Chattanooga Football Club faced New England Revolution II for the second time on Saturday afternoon, and won the shootout 5-4 after a 1-1 draw in regulation to pick up two crucial points at a wet and windy Gillette Stadium.
Minjae Kwak scored his first goal for Chattanooga FC in the 18th minute, curling in a superb shot from the corner of the penalty area to give the visitors the lead.
New England struck back right before half-time through Liam Butts. However, CFC had the final word by ultimately claiming the extra point in the shootout thanks to Jean Antoine's heroics between the sticks. CFC's keeper saved three New England attempts to help earn his side a precious point in the playoff race.
"Obviously Minjae scores a really nice goal," said Underwood post-match at Gillette Stadium. "Those are the goals we expect from him. The guys worked hard and defended. I felt like we created some decent chances in this game. At the end of the day, we've kept ourselves alive for the playoffs. That's always been the overarching goals for us. We've had a rollercoaster of a season, and we had a rollercoaster today! Being down 0-2 in the penalty shootout and coming back and winning it, so that was super important for us."
The result sees CFC remain in ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings and sit one point off from Chicago Fire II (41), who currently occupy the eighth and final playoff spot.
CFC travels to face Toronto FC II next weekend on Sunday, September 29th at 3:00 p.m. ET in what will be the club's first-ever match outside of the United States.
Noteworthy
- Duvan Viafara, Luis Garcia Sosa, Minjae Kwak and Mehdi Ouamri returned to the starting XI in place of Logan Brown, Callum Watson, Joseph Perez and Jesus Ibarra, who started in the 2-1 victory over Columbus Crew 2 last time out
- CFC extends its record of shootout wins in the Eastern Conference to seven
Box Score
New England Revolution II (4W-16L-6D, 4SOW, 22 pts.) - Chattanooga FC (8W-9L-9D, 7SOW, 40 pts.)
Gillette Stadium | Foxborough, Mass.
Final score:
NE: 1
CFC: 1
CFC wins the shootout for the extra point (5-4)
Scoring summary:
18': Kwak - CFC
45'+2: Butts - NE
Penalties:
Stats (NE/CFC):
Possession: 58% / 42%
xG: 1.8 / 1.44
Shots: 26 / 17
Shots on goal: 10 / 6
Blocked shots: 11 / 3
Total passes: 449 / 376
Passing accuracy percentage: 84 / 80.6
Corners: 11 / 9
Free-kicks: 11 / 12
Total crosses: 13 / 6
Offsides: 2 / 0
Goalkeeper saves: 5 / 8
Clearances: 2 / 10
Fouls: 12 / 13
Discipline:
50' - CFC: McGrath (Caution)
58' - CFC: Eric Klein (Caution)
80' - CFC: Jesus Ibarra (Caution)
Line-ups:
NE starters: JD Gunn; Damario McIntosh, Victor Souza (Sage Kinner 74'), Santiago Suarez, Malcolm Fry; Cristiano Oliveira (Maciel 78'), Eric Klein, Olger Escobar; Alex Monis (Joshua Bolma 78'), Marcos Dias, Liam Butts (Gevork Diarbian 74')
Substitutes not used: Max Weinstein, Colby Quinones, Moshtaba Al-Hasnawi, Patrick Leal, Javaun Mussenden
Head Coach: Richie Williams
CFC starters: Jean Antoine; Farid Sar-Sar, Anatolie Prepelita, Duvan Viafara; Andres Jimenez Aranzazu, Alex McGrath (C), Luis Garcia Sosa (Jesus Ibarra 46'), Minjae Kwak (Joseph Perez 85'), Milo Garvanian; Taylor Gray, Mehdi Ouamri
Substitutes not used: Jonathan Burke, Jesse Williams, Jude Arthur, Callum Watson, Jalen James
Head Coach: Rod Underwood
Post-match reaction
