CFC and Maryland walk out before their June 3 meeting in Maryland
After a week off the Boys in Blues look to get back into the swing of things against the Maryland Bobcats. After a win last month at home, Chattanooga Football Club will look to challenge them again, this time away.
Chattanooga is undefeated through 12 league games this season after the 2-0 win against the previously undefeated Michigan Stars on July 8.
Kickoff between CFC and the Maryland Bobcats will be 7:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 19 at Maryland Soccerplex.
CHATTANOOGA FC vs Maryland Bobcats- WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 2023 – 7:00 p.m.ET – Maryland Sportsplex
HOW TO WATCH
The match will stream live on ELEVEN Sports and FIFA+. Access all options at ChattanoogaFC.com/WATCH.
Shady's Corner at 1402 Cemetery Ave. in Chattanooga will be offering $1 off draft beer to CFC season ticket holders during a supporter watch party on Wednesday night. Just show your season ticket. Please note that Shady's Corner is open to 21+.
Be sure to follow @chattanoogafc on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for live updates from the game.
Previous Meetings
This will be the third meeting between CFC and Maryland in 2023. The first contest ended 1-0 in favor of CFC on May 27 at Finley Stadium thanks to a free kick by Markus Naglestad in the 62nd minute. Jean Antoine defended goal for the clean sheet. The rematch would take place in Maryland on June 3. It would be Maryland getting the first goal in the 56th minute thanks to Darwin Espinal. Just 10 minutes later, reigning Golden Boot winner Markus Naglestad would equalize. The score would not stay even long as Mutaya Mwape gave CFC the 2-1 lead in the 69th minute, which would remain the final score.
Scouting Maryland Bobcats (6-1-6)
The Bobcats are coming off a 3-0 win on the road against Club de Lyon in Daytona Beach, Florida in which forward Darwin Espinal had a brace. They are an extremely offensive side offering up 20 goals in just 13 games this season. While CFC holds the current highest goal tally this season of 22, Maryland is coming in close at the second spot. The difference could be the defense with CFC surrendering just 3 goals compared to Maryland giving up 13 so far this season.
Despite their strong attacking play, Maryland struggles to stop the chances between their goal posts holding only 4 clean sheets this season. As they line up against CFC, the top scoring side this season, it will be a true test for their defense to stop CFC from getting on the score sheet.
Maryland Player to Watch: Darwin Espinal #11
The seasoned pro from Honduras has been a dangerous weapon for Maryland. With one additional game so far, he is tied with CFC's Markus Naglestad for most goals scored in league action (9).
Coach Rod Underwood's Takeaway
“Maryland is always a tough game for us. We have the utmost respect for them and we know it will be a game of two teams trying to impose their style and will on the game. Hopefully ours will prevail and lead us in the direction we want to go.”
Next Home Game
Chattanooga FC return home to Finley Stadium on Saturday, July 22 for the NISA Independent Cup Southeast Region Final against AC Houston Sur from USL2. Tickets are available at ChattanoogaFC.com/tickets.
About Chattanooga Football Club
Chattanooga Football Club was founded in 2009. The CFC Men's team competes in the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), which is in the third division of professional soccer. The CFC Women's team is a summer amateur team that competes in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL). Chattanooga Football Club became the first soccer club to offer true ownership to the fans in 2019 with 3,200+ investors from Chattanooga, all 50 states, and 31 countries. CFC plays all home games in Finley Stadium in Chattanooga.