Chattanooga FC beats NYCFC II to win club's first-ever MLS NEXT Pro playoff match

Read on for a full recap, highlights, stats and more.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (October 18, 2026) — Chattanooga FC defeated NYCFC II 3-1 thanks to goals from Alex Krehl, Anton Sorenson and Yuval Cohen to give the Boys in Blue its first-ever MLS NEXT Pro playoff victory.

More to follow. 

Next up

Chattanooga FC will return to Fort Finley for the Eastern Conference semifinals on Sunday, October 25 at 5:00 p.m.

The Pick-Your-Opponent process will also be utilized for the conference semifinals, with the highest remaining seed in each conference selecting and hosting an opponent from the two lowest seeded teams on October 20. The two remaining clubs will face each other, with the higher of the two seeds hosting.

There will not be a broadcast or livestream for the Pick-Your-Opponent process for the conference semifinals, with the opponents and schedule set to be announced at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20.

Box Score

Chattanooga FC - NYCFC II

Finley Stadium | Chattanooga, Tenn.

Attendance: 3,131

Final score: 

CFC: 3

NYC: 1

Scoring summary:

31': Alex Krehl - CFC, Assist: Daniel Mangarov

53': Jacob Arroyave - NYC

86': Anton Sorenson - CFC, Assist: Anthony Garcia

90'+7': Yuval Cohen - CFC

Stats (CFC / NYC):

Expected goals (xG): 
Possession: 
Shots: 
Shots on goal:
Blocked shots:
Total passes:
Passing accuracy percentage:
Corners: 
Total crosses:
Offsides:
Goalkeeper saves: 
Clearances: 
Fouls:

Discipline:

29' - NYC, Joao Loiola (Caution)

Lineups:

Chattanooga FC starters: Eldin Jakupović, Yves Tcheuyap, Farid Sar-Sar (C), Nathan Koehler, Steeve Louis Jean (Anton Sorenson 75'), Isaiah Jones (Luke Husakiwsky 90'+3'), Tate Robertson, Alexis Arrúa (Anthony Garcia 75'), Daniel Mangarov, Damien Barker John, Alex Krehl (Yuval Cohen 90'+2')

Substitutes not used: Michael Barrueta, Mattias Hanchard, Ameziane Sid Mohand, Francis Amoateng, Alex McGrath

Head Coach: Richard Dixon

NYCFC II starters: Max Learned, Max Murray, Joao Loiola, Kevin Pierre (Joseph Suchecki 90'), Maximo Carrizo, Peter Molinari, Cooper Flax (Drew Kerr 79'), Luka Sunjic, Jacob Arroyave, Jonathan Lopez (C), Adonis Campos (Elhadji Samb 89')

Substitutes not used: Dylan McDermott, Gabriel Mendonca, Eoin Martin, Brennan Klein, Camilo Ponce, David Duque

Head Coach: Matthew Pilkington