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USL1 Chattanooga Red Wolves SC

3 Points for Saturday: Red Wolves Look to Build off of Fairytale Home Opener

May 28, 2021 - United Soccer League One (USL1)
Chattanooga Red Wolves SC News Release


1. Red Wolves look to end their two-game home stand on a positive note.

Following the win on Sunday at CHI Memorial Stadium, the Red Wolves welcome the Richmond Kickers to town. Ranked 4 and 5 respectively in the latest iteration of the USL Power Rankings, the match promises excitement on both ends of the pitch. Coach Obleda's side looks to extend their unbeaten start to the season to four games following a thrilling match against Fort Lauderdale CF the week prior. His side has all but patented a hardworking, high tempo, pressing style of play that frustrates opposition attacks and leads to chances on the other end of the pitch as well.

Jason Ramos and Josue España were named to the USL Team of the Week for their performances in the home opener. España earned his first start of the season following a quick-fire brace at Gillette Stadium, and rewarded the manager with another sensational effort last time out. Jason Ramos was once again pivotal to almost all aspects of the Red Wolves' game plan and managed to steer home a beautifully taken Ricky Ruiz free kick in the fourth minute of extra time to secure three points for the home side.

Coming off his first start of the campaign, Blake Frischknecht had this to say on taking 3 more points at home tomorrow evening, "Same thing as last week, we are at home, we need to protect the den and get these points. We've had a great start, so we just have to keep going." Frischknecht's physicality and work rate was once again a problem for the opposition, and he will look to make an impact against the Kickers.

2. Richmond looks for first ever win over the Red Wolves

No stranger to the Red Wolves, Darren Sawatzky's Kickers come to town looking for their first ever triumph against the home side. Coming off a 0-0 draw from which Goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald and defender Jalen Crisler were named to the USL Team of the Week alongside Ramos and España, Richmond is simply looking to score some goals.

To do so, they will look to key target man Emiliano Terzaghi, who is the Kickers' leading goal scorer. Having led the team, and the league, with 10 goals in 15 appearances last campaign, he is no stranger to carrying the goal scoring burden. He has scored twice in 5 appearances so far this season and will look to make life difficult for the Red Wolves' backline.

Goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald has also been a bright spot for Darren Sawatzky's side, playing a pivotal role in winning the Kickers points. He has kept 3 clean sheets in 4 appearances and has only conceded one goal in the 10 shots he has faced, making him one of the best shot stoppers in USL League One so far in 2021.

3. Red Wolves look to the Twelfth Man to help secure three points

CHI Memorial Stadium was opened to full capacity for last weekend's home opener, and the twelfth man was a deciding factor. Pushing Obleda's men to a late winner at the end of the match, he once again looks to supporters to be the deciding twelfth man. "Words can't describe the joy and excitement," Coach Obleda remarked on the last-minute winner, "It gives joy to the team, gives us all joy, but perhaps more importantly the fans and the supporters who came."

2,072 Red Wolves supporters helped defend the den last Saturday, and the squad looks to supporters to bring the energy once again against direct rivals in the league table. In addition, the side will no doubt continue to look to their anchoring backline for support, as fullbacks Jonathan Ricketts and Ricky Ruiz continue to dazzle. Homegrown talent Ricketts leading the backline, with the sure hands of Sebastian Mora-Mora in goal could very well mean a cagey, defensive affair as the Red Wolves come up against one of the best shot stoppers in the league in Akira Fitzgerald.

The all-important early season grudge match takes place at 7 PM EST Saturday evening at CHI Memorial Stadium.

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