Chattanooga Football Club returns to league action with a Sunday night special at Fort Finley as the club welcomes the Los Angeles Force to the Scenic City.

Chattanooga’s historic unbeaten run will face another ninety-minute challenge from a visiting team in need of points in the fight for playoff positions.

After drawing against Salt City Union in the last league match, head coach Rod Underwood will expect his players to up their game and return to winning ways. Despite taking nine shots and holding 64% possession, the boys in blue were unable to find the winning goal.

Everyone at the club knows that every game this season will bring a new challenge as every visitor to Finley Stadium will want to spoil the party.

Tickets are available now with presale pricing continuing through Friday at ChattanoogaFC.com/tickets. Kickoff is Sunday, September 3 at 7:30 p.m. Gates open at 6:30 p.m.

Season So Far

Chattanooga FC has earned 38 points from 16 matches so far (W11 D5 L0), setting a blistering pace and retaining the only unbeaten record in US professional soccer. The club has nine more points than second placed Albion San Diego having played a game less. 

Norwegian forward Markus Naglestad has continued to impress this season, scoring 11 league goals so far, including his penalty kick against Savannah that set the all-time CFC goalscoring record.

Midfielder Alex McGrath, Spennymoor, England, has made his mark in the midfield, providing a club high four assists this season. He will look to add to his tally against the Force.

Last year’s golden glove winner Jean Antoine has continued to impress this season, conceding less than a goal every three games.

The Opposition

The Los Angeles Force are a classic NISA team, dating back to the inaugural 2019 NISA showcase. After missing out on a playoff position last season, the Force have built a force to be reckoned with for the 2023 campaign. The club only concedes an average of a goal per game and boasts the third best goal difference in the league.

The Force will visit Finley Stadium for stop number two on an East Coast cruise starting in Rochester on the 30th. Unbeaten in their last four, the men of the force have found a recent vein of form as they contend for playoff positioning. Averaging 14 shots for per game 8 against during this run (compared to 11 shots for and 11 against the rest of the season), the club has found a winning formula midway through the campaign.

With 22 points from 14 games (W6 D4 L4), the Force are only a few wins away from overtaking Albion in second place, a position that grants a first-round playoff bye and hosting rights for the semifinals.

Look out for Edwin Rivas in the Force lineup. He’s listed as a defender, but his tactical versatility allows him to pop up all over the pitch. There’s a reason he leads the league with six assists.

Head-to-Head

After the 2020 spring season was cut short, Chattanooga finally got the chance to meet the Force for the first time on September 22, 2020. The boys in blue got a 2-0 win at Keyworth Stadium in Detroit.

Since then, the two sides have played some classic matches. Last season’s 3-2 first half thriller at Finley Stadium was a big win for the boys in blue.

Earlier in the season, Chattanooga swept the Force with a dominant 3-0 win at Finley Stadium. The boys in blue will look to replicate this success on Sunday night. The two teams will then fly to California and face off again three days later.

What’s At Stake

No matter the result, Chattanooga FC will remain atop the NISA standings. However, three points will be the only acceptable result for the boys in blue after their performance earlier this season.

The Los Angeles Force will be looking for crucial points in the playoff dogfight in the middle of the table. Pending results elsewhere, the Force could reach as high as third place when Sunday night ends. The Force will look to surprise the league leaders and hand out their first loss of the season.

Fan Appreciation Night

Chattanooga is better together, and the club wants to thank you for your support this season. Come to Finley Stadium for the best soccer in Chattanooga, and stay for a night of giveaways, fireworks, and fun.

The first 500 fans to enter when gates open at 6:30 p.m. will receive the choice of a limited edition CFC keepsake.

There will be plenty to do before the game and during halftime. Show off your CFC spirit with free facepainting, try your skills at soccer golf courtesy of Albatross Golf Sim & Bar in Chattanooga, get competitive with our mobile gaming trailer, or let the kids enjoy our Kids Corner with an inflatable soccer field and soccer darts. There's so much more!

Finley Stadium also has $30,000 in renovations this year to create more food and beverage options than ever before. Every single concession line has draft beer available!

Cause of the Match

A portion of ticket sales for this match will support the Humane Educational Society. HES provides a safe haven for homeless, abused, and neglected animals in Chattanooga and advocates on their behalf. Since incorporating in 1910, HES has grown to serve four to five thousand homeless pets each year. As the players arrive on the NW corner of the stadium at 5:45 p.m., each one will be escorted by an adoptable animal. During the game, adoptable pets will be available on the concourse.

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.