With August 1st marking Tennessee’s first sporting event held with fans since the lockdowns, the first ever game in Tennessee’s first pro soccer stadium CHI Memorial Stadium, and the first time the 2020 Red Wolves roster plays at home, it was clear that it would make for a historical night for Chattanooga.
The list of firsts continued into the locker room; Head Coach Jimmy Obleda was looking for his first professional victory, local Chattanooga Jonathan Ricketts was playing his first professional game at home, multiple players were making their pro debuts.
“Going in, we all knew we had to get out there and deliver for our city, our fans, and each other,” says Obleda who is in his first year with the club. “We’d been waiting for this moment for a long time and we were ready.”
The squad put on a great display in front of the sold out socially distanced crowd. Forward Greg Hurst bagged the first ever goal in CHI Memorial Stadium and now leads the league in scoring. Goalkeeper Alex Mangels saved a late PK and etched the first ever clean sheet in the new venue. Coach Obleda got his first pro win and, lastly, the team brought home the first 3 points of the season with the 1-0 victory.
Since the win, Chattanooga has climbed to #2 in the nationwide power rankings as the team crests the hill from Week 3 going into Week 4. In the USL League One standings they sit in third behind only Tormenta FC and Greenville SC who both currently hold a game in hand advantage.
The team hits the road later this week for Saturday’s match against reigning champion North Texas SC. In the last matchup of 2019 between the two sides, North Texas rostered and started five FC Dallas MLS players against Chattanooga. There are good chances that they will utilize MLS players in this weekend’s match up as well and we will get to see how the Red Wolves match up against MLS level talent. Regardless, Coach Obleda and the team will arrive with one goal in mind and that is to leave Texas with three points. Catch all of the action on ESPN+, be sure to post a picture of your watching set-up and tag @chattredwolves.
The Red Wolves return home next Wednesday August 12 to play Union Omaha, a new expansion club of USL League One. Get your tickets below before they sell out!
