It's time to get excited! MLS NEXT Pro Cup is here.Â
Making history as the first-ever independent club to reach MLS NEXT Pro Cup, Chattanooga FC play proud hosts to fellow first-time finalists Los Angeles FC 2Â at Finley Stadium in a mouthwatering matchup with plenty of talking points.Â
Here's a rundown of everything you need to know ahead of Sunday's showdown.
How to watch
Streaming Sunday at 6 PM ET on MLSNEXTPro.com and OneFootball, James Hadnot will provide play-by-play alongside analysis from Calen Carr and sideline reporting from Isaiah Reid on the English broadcast.Â
The match will also be broadcast in Spanish with play-by-play by Ramon Chavez and analysis from Carlos Suarez on MLSNEXTPro.com.
Match preview
Read the full match preview here: 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Cup Preview: Chattanooga FC vs LAFC 2
How they got here
Regular season record: 15W-7L-6T (4 SOW) - 56 points | 2nd in East
Playoff results:
CFC 3-1 NYCFC II | Highlights
CFC 3-1 CTU |Â Highlights
CFCÂ 3-2 CLB | Highlights | Recap
What to know:
Becoming the first-ever independent club to host MLS NEXT Pro Cup represents a milestone moment for both the league and Chattanooga FC.Â
The story of their playoff campaign has been about protecting home turf. They had to dig deep against Columbus Crew 2 in the Conference Final to erase an early 2-0 deficit for a thrilling 3-2 win, and commented that resilience is one of their strengths in the postgame celebrations.Â
Apart from that, they've been the ones getting on the board first throughout the playoffs and have been excellent in closing out games, scoring six of their nine goals on or after the 70th minute.Â
2026 has been the most successful season in the club's history and has been highlighted by promoting club legend and first-ever professional signing Richard Dixon to head coach in August, amid an 11-game unbeaten run.Â
Also making a buzz locally, CFC set a club regular-season attendance record on Fourth of July weekend.Â
An MLS NEXT Pro Cup win would represent the first-ever national-level soccer title and professional sports championship of any kind for the Scenic City.Â
Regular season record: 11W-8L-9T (3 SOW) - 45 points | 6th in West
Playoff results:
HOU 2-2 LAFC2 (SOW) | Highlights
ATX 0-1 LAFC2 | Highlights
VCFC 0-1 LAFC2 | Highlights | Recap
What to know
LAFC 2 have reached Sunday's stage the hard way and will not be fazed by CFC's home-field advantage.Â
As a feature of MLS NEXT Pro's Pick-Your-Opponent format, they've been selected twice and delivered punishment for that gamble.Â
With only two regular season road wins in 2026, LAFC 2's torrid playoff run shows a new gear that's made them unpredictable.Â
Keeping back-to-back clean sheets has gone a long way in getting LAFC 2 to MLS NEXT Pro Cup.Â
18-year-old goalkeeper Ethan Scally and the Back-and-Gold backline have shown the ability to protect a lead if LAFC 2 can strike first.
What they're saying:
MLSNEXTPro.com caught up with both head coaches and several of each side's stars ahead of Sunday's Cup Final.Â
Chattanooga FC:Â
Head coach Richard Dixon on MLS NEXT Pro Cup preparation
Chattanooga FC captain Alex McGrath discusses MLS NEXT Pro Cup
Tate Robertson on Chattanooga FC's MLS NEXT Pro Cup showdown
Top scorer Alex Krehl on MLS NEXT Pro Cup opportunity
Eldin Jakupović on final prep ahead of MLS NEXT Pro Cup
LAFC 2:Â
