CHATTANOOGA, TN (July 12, 2021) -The Red Wolves returned home to CHI Memorial Stadium Saturday night for a grudge match against FC Tucson. The last meeting saw a late minute winner from Juan Galindrez cancel out an excellent duo of long-range strikes from Charlie Dennis, with the game ending in a 3-2 Chattanooga victory. Tucson returns under different management, with Jon Pearlman taking over and looking to bring the club up the USL League One table. Meanwhile, the Red Wolves snatched a late point in Omaha, and look to continue riding their early season success.
The game started positively for Jimmy Obleda and the Red Wolves, with the home side controlling possession and pulling off slick passages of play. The early dominance almost paid off in the 14th minute, when Juan Galindrez sent a strike thundering off the post, to keep the score 0-0. Shortly after, a lightning delay would send the two sides into the locker room, knocking the wind out of both clubs’ sails. However, in a half that lacked the finishing touch, it was Ricky Ruiz that showed his brilliance in the final third. A gorgeous cross field ball from Jose Carrera-Garcia in the 34th minute set Ruiz up on the left side of the 18-yard box, and he thundered a left-footed strike past Wallis Lapsley to put the Red Wolves 1-0 up on the night. The remainder of the first half saw relatively even play from both sides but included a thunderbolt strike from Jason Ramos that went just above the bar. The half ended, and Obleda’s squad went into the locker room sporting a 1-0 lead.
The second half started well for the Red Wolves, as Rafa and Marky Hernandez came into the game for Angel España and Jimmie Villalobos. After a tightly contested first 20 minutes, the Red Wolves found the second goal they needed. A fantastic ball from MOTM Ricky Ruiz found the head of Juan Galindrez who beat Lapsley to make it 2-0. However, disaster struck for the Red Wolves in the 87th minute, as Daniel Bedoya scored a penalty awarded after the referees conferred after Navarro and Tobenna Uzo collided in the box. Things would only get worse two minutes later, as Shaq Adams fired past Tim Trilk in the 89th minute to draw the game level at 2-2. The Red Wolves would attempt to respond late, with a potential Marky Hernandez penalty being denied by the referees. The full-time whistle blew at CHI Memorial, with the Red Wolves and FC Tucson splitting a point apiece under the floodlights.
The Red Wolves return to action Wednesday, July 14th at 7 PM EST Against Tormenta, with CHI Memorial Stadium hosting $2 Beer Night.
