KENNESAW, Ga. (April 24, 2024) — Chattanooga Football Club were edged 1-0 by Atlanta United 2 in what was the club's first defeat of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro regular season.
Chattanooga FC trailed for the first time this season when Atlanta United 2 opened the scoring in the 20th minute. Javier Armas converted a spot-kick after Luke Brennan's low cross had struck the arm of Farid Sar-Sar in the penalty area.
The Boys in Blue struggled to find a rhythm in attacking possession and to create scoring opportunities, so it was imperative that Jonathan Burke was in top form. Burke made a crucial save in the latter stages of the first half when he stopped a low, driven shot from Karim Tmimi to keep CFC within striking distance at the break.
CFC found more attacking opportunities and overall possession in the second half. Jalen James had a shot on target midway through the half but it was thwarted by Atlanta United first-teamer Josh Cohen.
Substitute Andres Jimenez Aranzazu attempted a shot after some fluid build-up play and Jesus Ibarra had a shot saved by Cohen in stoppage time, but ultimately CFC were unable to find the breakthrough needed in what was the club's first defeat of the regular season.
Sporting Director and Head Coach Rod Underwood made six changes to the starting line-up from the one in the club's 1-0 win at Huntsville City on Saturday. Jonathan Burke, Jesse Williams, Farid Sar-Sar, Luis Garcia Sosa, Taylor Gray and Carlos Rivas came in for Jean Antoine, Joseph Perez, Duvan Viafara, Andres Jimenez Aranzazu, Jesus Ibarra and Mehdi Ouamri.
Chattanooga FC remains in third place in the Eastern Conference and in first place in the Southeast Division.
Chattanooga FC will now look forward to the first independent derby of the year against Carolina Core FC on Saturday, April 27th at 7:00 p.m. ET at Finley Stadium. Tickets are on sale now.
Quotes
“We don’t have time to look back,” said Underwood. “We’ll analyze the game and as a team, and then get ready for Saturday.
“There are some things we need to get better at. We need to spend more time in the attacking zones. We need to be more patient with the ball in the build-up, and show more composure. That’s really important for us.
“We’ll go home. We need to be ready to step up and play at home.”
Notes:
- Chattanooga FC conceded the first goal and trailed in a match for the first time this season in what was the club's sixth game of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season
- Farid Sar-Sar and Carlos Rivas made their first starts in MLS NEXT Pro for Chattanooga FC
- Jude Arthur and Sar-Sar both completed full 90 minutes for the first time this MLS NEXT Pro season
Box Score:
Atlanta United 2 (2W-3L-0D, 0SOW, 6 pts.) vs. Chattanooga FC (3W-1L-2D, 1SOW, 12 pts.)
Fifth Third Bank Stadium | Kennesaw, Ga.
Final Score:
ATL: 1
CFC: 0
Scoring Summary:
ATL: Javier Armas (pen) 20'
Discipline:
CFC: Anatolie Prepelita (caution) 7’
ATL: Matias Gallardo (caution) 31'
CFC: Carlos Rivas (caution) 45'
CFC: Andres Jimenez Aranzazu (cautioin) 58'
ATL: Adyn Torres (caution) 76'
Stats (ATL/CFC):
Shots: 13 / 6
Shots on goal: 3 / 2
Blocked shots: 3 / 3
Total passes: 377 / 535
Passing accuracy: 80.6% / 86.7%
Corners: 4 / 2
Total crosses: 9 / 4
Offsides: 1 / 4
Goalkeeper saves: 2 / 2
Clearances: 5 / 4
Fouls: 16 / 16
Line-ups:
ATL starters: Josh Cohen, Jacob Williams, Efrain Morales, Matt Edwards (C), Ramzi Qawasmy, Noble Okello (Adyn Torres 68'), Javier Armas, Nick Firmino, Matias Gallardo (Erik Centeno 74'), Luke Brennan, Karim Tmimi (Ashton Gordon 74')
Substitutes not used: Jayden Hibbert, Dominik Chong Qui, Alan Carleton, Matthew Dejianne, Kaiden Moore
Head Coach: Steve Cooke
CFC starters: Jonathan Burke, Jesse Williams, Anatolie Prepelita, Farid Sar-Sar, Milo Garvanian, Jude Arthur, Alex McGrath (C), Luis Garcia Sosa (Andres Jimenez Aranzazu 46'), Taylor Gray (Jesus Ibarra 66'), Jalen James (Joseph Perez 71'), Carlos Rivas (Mehdi Ouamri 46')
Substitutes not used: Jean Antoine, Duvan Viafara, Callum Watson, Ethan Koren, Damian Rodriguez
Head Coach: Rod Underwood
