CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Jan. 29, 2019) – Chattanooga Red Wolves SC has signed USL Cup Champion Tony Walls to its USL League One team. Walls will join the club for its inaugural season from Major Arena Soccer League’s (MASL) Ontario Fury, pending league and federation approval.
“Tony is a tough and technical defender,” said Chattanooga Red Wolves SC Head Coach and Technical Director Tim Hankinson. “He has made appearances in big-time USL Championship matches and brings veteran experience to our defense and to our roster.”
In 2012, Walls’ professional career began with him being selected at the 46th pick overall to Chicago Fire in the 2012 Supplemental MLS draft. He started in all 16 matches for the reserve team that season. In 2014, he signed with USL Championship’s Rochester Rhinos and was named defensive MVP, leading the team in minutes. Walls captained the Rhinos in 2015 and led his team to win the regular season and USL Championship—the second team in league history to do so. Losing only one match of 40, Walls started every competition aside from one and posted four goals and two assists, garnering USL All-League First Team honors. During his last season with Rochester in 2016, Walls tallied one goal and one assist.
More recently, Walls rostered with USL Championship’s Saint Louis FC for the 2017 and 2018 seasons. During his time with Saint Louis, he appeared in 41 matches, totaling 3,207 minutes played, and posted two goals. Additionally, he led his team in passes and pass completion with 82.2% in 2017. In 2018, he played a role in assisting his team to the USL Playoffs for the first time in club history.
Walls signed with Ontario Fury ahead of the 2018 MASL season. A six-year indoor soccer veteran, Walls played two seasons with the Cedar Rapids Rampage. In 35 games he posted 25 goals and seven assists while helping the Rampage to a playoff appearance. Prior to his time with the Rampage, Walls rostered with the Milwaukee Wave for three seasons. His career regular season totals include 79 games played, 52 goals and 26 assists.
“I am excited to be a part of the new beginning of professional soccer in Chattanooga,” said Walls. “Many people, including my family in Nashville, have told me great things about Chattanooga. I’m impressed by the quality and professionalism of the club, the fan base and soccer culture in the city. I’m excited to get to Tennessee and get to work, and ultimately bring a championship to Chattanooga.”
Walls held stints with USL League Two sides Michigan Bucks and Chicago Fire. He attended University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, where he garnered multiple conference and region accolades including Conference Newcomer of the Year in 2008 and Conference Player of the Year in 2011.
He is the 17th signing for the Red Wolves and the 11th addition with USL Championship experience.
The Red Wolves will make their debut in USL League One play on March 30, 2019 as the club travels to Dallas, Texas to face North Texas SC, a League One club operated by MLS side FC Dallas. The Red Wolves will face Forward Madison FC for the club’s inaugural opening night the following week on April 6. Kickoff is 7:00 p.m. local time.
For more information on Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, visit www.chattredwolves.com or follow the team on social media: @ChattRedWolves on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
