CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE (November 8, 2026) – Chattanooga FC became the fifth MLS NEXT Pro Cup Champions on Sunday night, powered by Damien Barker John’s 31st minute goal. An MLS NEXT Pro Cup record-breaking crowd of 10,228 fans packed Finley Stadium to see the Boys in Blue become the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Cup champions, defeating LAFC 2, 1-0. Chattanooga FC is the first independent club to win MLS NEXT Pro Cup, earning the championship in its third year in the League.
Led by head coach Richard Dixon, Chattanooga FC became the third League champion from the Eastern Conference in the five-year history of MLS NEXT Pro. Sunday’s season finale was the first time that Chattanooga FC and LAFC 2 have faced each other and was each team’s first-ever appearance in the championship match.
Chattanooga FC hosted each of its three matches throughout the Playoffs, defeating New York City FC II, 3-1, in the Conference Quarterfinals and CT United FC, 3-1, in the Conference Semifinals. Chattanooga FC erased a two-goal deficit to defeat 2022 MLS NEXT Pro Cup champions Columbus Crew 2, 3-2, in the Eastern Conference Final.
LAFC 2, the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference, was the lowest seed to ever play in MLS NEXT Pro Cup. LAFC 2 recorded three consecutive upsets on the road in the Playoffs, defeating Houston Dynamo 2, 4(2)-3(2), in the Conference Quarterfinals, 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Cup champions Austin FC II, 1-0, in the Conference Semifinals, and crosstown rivals Ventura County FC, 1-0, in the Western Conference Final.
Chattanooga FC prodded LAFC 2’s defense early, as 2026 Golden Boot runner-up Alex Krehl (CFC) tested goalkeeper Ethan Scally (LAFC) in the 6th minute. The hosts controlled the opening minutes, before Tommy Mihalic (LAFC) went against the flow of play and forced a save from Eldin Jakupović (CFC). Krehl had multiple attempts on goal in the first half; a shot drifted wide in the 17th minute, with another attempt going over the crossbar at the 20th minute mark. The action ebbed and flowed between both sides before Barker John (CFC) broke the deadlock in the 31st minute with a sensational strike from outside the penalty area, putting the hosts ahead, 1-0.
Chattanooga FC almost doubled the lead in the 43rd minute with a breakaway counter providing Krehl a chance on goal, but Scally continued to be a wall at the back for LAFC 2, and produced his second save of the match to keep the hosts’ advantage to a single goal heading into halftime.
The action resumed in the second half with the visitors mounting a sustained offense. LAFC 2 continued to control the flow of the match and patiently sought a route into goal, but Chattanooga’s disciplined defense held firm. Marius Aiyenero (LAFC) almost had a spectacular equalizer with a bicycle kick in the 86th minute, but the goal was ruled offside. The faithful Chattanooga fans made their voices heard, rallying their team to galvanize their defense in the final minutes of an eventual 1-0 victory. Â
Barker John was named MLS NEXT Pro Cup MVP for his game-winning goal,his second of the 2026 Playoffs. He finished the postseason with two goals and one assist, matching Krehl (two goals, one assist) for the most goal contributions during the postseason for Chattanooga FC. Barker John was a 2023 MLS SuperDraft selection by Real Salt Lake.
Previous MLS NEXT Pro Cup Results:
2025: Red Bull New York II defeated Colorado Rapids 2, 3(3)-1(3)
2024: North Texas SC defeated Philadelphia Union II, 3-2
2023: Austin FC II defeated Columbus Crew 2, 3-1
2022: Columbus Crew 2 defeated St Louis CITY2, 4-1
