MATCH RECAP: Chattanooga Red Wolves SC 0, FC Tucson 1

Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (8-7-8) fell to FC Tucson (8-7-7) 1-0 at Kino Sports Complex on Friday night. An early penalty would ultimately decide Chattanooga’s fate.

The penalty came in the 16th minute of the match, after Tucson’s Devyn Jambga played a ball in over the top of the Red Wolves defense to Jordan Jones. Jones looked to find Guillermo Delgado who was tripped up as he approached the pass. Following the whistle, Jones finished the penalty to give Tucson a 1-0 lead.

Chattanooga created chances of their own during the first half, including a well-struck shot from Yaya Cisse in the 7th minute that flew just left of the post and a strike from Greg Hurst that bounced wide in the 29th minute. Tucson would hold on to the lead going into halftime.

The second half began with an impressive save by goalkeeper Alex Mangels after Tucson’s Erik Virgen hit a shot from outside of the Red Wolves 18-yard box. Jones nearly put another on the board for Tucson in the 64th minute, but the goal was whistled for offside.

Despite efforts from Chattanooga to connect offensively and level the match, Tucson came out on top.

Mangels recorded four key saves, two crosses claimed and one punch on the night. Defender Timmy Mehl had a solid debut with the Red Wolves, recording four tackles, two clearances and five interceptions. Midfielder Conor Doyle played true to form, recording four tackles, three interceptions and two blocks. Cisse, Hurst and Walls recorded shots for the Red Wolves.

Chattanooga continues its road stand as the team travels to Toronto to face Toronto FC II on Friday, Sept. 6 for the second-ever meeting between the two clubs. Toronto visited Chattanooga on June 1 with the match ending in a 2-2 draw. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET, and the match can be streamed live via ESPN+.

GAME SUMMARY 

First Half:  

• 4’ – Attempt saved. Kyle Venter (FC Tucson) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top center of the goal. Assisted by Jordan Jones.
• 7’ – Attempt blocked. Abdoulaye Cisse (Chattanooga Red Wolves) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Greg Hurst.
• 11’ – Attempt saved. Jordan Jones (FC Tucson) header from the centre of the box is saved in the center of the goal. Assisted by Erik Virgen with a cross.
• 15’ – Penalty conceded by Timmy Mehl (Chattanooga Red Wolves) after a foul in the penalty area.
• 16’ – Goal. Jordan Jones (FC Tucson) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner. FC Tucson 1, Chattanooga Red Wolves 0.
• 18’ – Attempt missed. Abdoulaye Cisse (Chattanooga Red Wolves) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Greg Hurst.
• 20’ – Attempt blocked. Guillermo Delgado (FC Tucson) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
• 29’ – Attempt missed. Greg Hurst (Chattanooga Red Wolves) right footed shot from outside the box is close but misses to the left. Assisted by Ualefi.
• 34’ – Erik Virgen (FC Tucson) hits the bar with a right footed shot from outside the box. Assisted by Devyn Jambga.
• 35’ – Attempt blocked. Jordan Jones (FC Tucson) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Erik Virgen.
• 39’ – Attempt missed. Tony Walls (Chattanooga Red Wolves) header from the right side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Steven Beattie following a set piece situation.

Second Half: 

• 48’ – Attempt missed. Guillermo Delgado (FC Tucson) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Erik Virgen.
• 51’ – Attempt saved. Guillermo Delgado (FC Tucson) right footed shot from long range on the right is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Erik Virgen.
• 52’ – Attempt missed. Kyle Venter (FC Tucson) header from the left side of the six yard box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Erik Virgen with a cross.
• 54’ – Attempt missed. Abdoulaye Cisse (Chattanooga Red Wolves) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Tony Walls.
• 55’ – Attempt saved. Devyn Jambga (FC Tucson) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Jordan Jones with a headed pass.
• 57’ – Attempt missed. Jordan Jones (FC Tucson) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Ramone Howell.
• 73’ – Attempt blocked. Guillermo Delgado (FC Tucson) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu.
• 78’ – Attempt missed. Erik Virgen (FC Tucson) right footed shot from long range on the right is close, but misses the top right corner from a direct free kick.
• 90’+2 – Attempt blocked. Ramone Howell (FC Tucson) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu.

LINEUPS: 

Chattanooga Red Wolves SC — Alex Mangels; Jonathan Caparelli, Nicholas Amponsah, Timmy Mehl, Tony Walls (Alexi Jaimes – 82’), Ualefi, Conor Doyle, Steven Beattie (C), Sito Seoane (Josue Soto – 62’), Yaya Cisse (Juan Mare – 58’), Greg Hurst

Substitutes not used — Will Dieterich, Andrew Moullin

FC Tucson – Phillip Ejimadu; Lamar Batista, Kyle Venter (C), Kody Wakasa, Luke Hauswirth, Ramone Howell, Erik Virgen, Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu, Devyn Jambga (Jose Terron – 89’), Guillermo Delgado (Zach Wright – 80’), Jordan Jones

Substitutes not used – Carlos Merancio, Scott Devoss, Eti Tavares, Martinez, Karsten Hanlin

Scoring Summary:

TUC: Jordan Jones – 16′ 

Misconduct Summary: 

TUC: Luke Hauswirth (cautioned – 38’)

TUC: Koday Wakasa (cautioned – 38’)

CHT: Juan Mare (cautioned – 86’)

TUC: Jose Terron (cautioned – 90’ +4)

Ejection Summary:  

N/A

MATCH INFORMATION: 

Head Official: Samantha Martinez
Assistant Referee: Noah Kenyawani
Assistant Referee: Jason Ulrich
4th Official: Jordan Vla