The Chattanooga Red Wolves are set to take on the visiting North Texas Soccer Club at CHI Memorial Stadium on Wednesday in one of the last two home matches of the 2020 season. With four games remaining, Chattanooga will enter the midweek match ranked 4th in the league standings with 18 points, in pursuit of a late push to reach the #2 spot in the league final. North Texas on the other hand, is currently ranked 9th with 14 points. As the season dies down, multiple teams are battling it out for the final postseason spot as Greenville Triumph’s season long dominance has earned them first place with the opportunity to host. The pressure is on for both teams, and it should make for an exciting match up.
The two sides have already battled it out once early this season in Texas, when a Marky Hernandez goal late in the second half allowed the Red Wolves to salvage a crucial point on the road against a very talented North Texas side. The former champions were able to hold the ball for the majority of the match, retaining possession for 63% of the game, but it was not enough to keep the Red Wolves off the scoreboard. Benjamin Redzic, the 17 year old North Texas forward was outstanding the first time out, scoring both goals for his side. Greg Hurst opened the scoring for Chattanooga, and was able to assist the Hernandez goal that brought the sides level. Chattanooga now has a record of 5-4-3 with 12 matches played, while North Texas is 3-3-5 with 11 matches down.
In 2019, North Texas got the better of the Red Wolves on the season winning two out of three matchups. In March of 2019, the Red Wolves played North Texas FC in their first ever game as a new club, and lost a very tight game, 3-2. The Red Wolves bounced back however in the next matchup between the two teams, pulling out a 1-0 win at home in August. North Texas FC however, won the tie breaker later in August, with a 2-0 win on the road against the Chattanooga Red Wolves. North Texas FC went on to end the season at the top of the table with a record of 17-6-5, becoming the USL League One Champions, while the Chattanooga Red Wolves ended the season 10-8-10, sitting 5th in the standings. The Red Wolves will be eager to redeem themselves this season as they have a stronger squad, a new home stadium, and a point to prove. They will look to improve their unbeaten streak to 3 games, and to get the better of North Texas FC this season.
The match is scheduled to kickoff at 12:00 PM EST at CHI Memorial Stadium. There are only two home games left, so make sure to buy tickets at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/chattanoogaredwolves-sc. For those who cannot make it to the match on Wednesday, make sure to tune in to ESPN+, or follow along with live updates on twitter @chattredwolves.
