USL1 Chattanooga Red Wolves SC

Red Wolves Look to Take Smoky Mountain Smackdown Series against One Knox

July 21, 2023 - United Soccer League One (USL1)
Chattanooga Red Wolves SC News Release


The Chattanooga Red Wolves head up to Knoxville, Tennessee for the third round of the Smoky Mountain Smackdown against One Knoxville SC. The Red Wolves took the first match of the derby at CHI Memorial Stadium on April 8th in a thrilling comeback victory with goals from Andrew Paoli and Waltera Varela in the second half after going down by one goal shortly after halftime. One Knoxville evened the series on May 16th with a 2-0 win in Knoxville for the League One newcomers, leaving this match to determine the winner of the Smackdown.

Chattanooga's most recent outing against South Georgia Tormenta FC featured two goals from Chevone Marsh to take the leading goal scorer position from Ropapa Mensah with five tallies on the season so far. Tormenta picked up the 4-2 win in a heated affair as the Red Wolves were down a man for the closing minutes of the first half through the remainder of the match due to a red card given to goalkeeper Carlos Avilez in the 39th minute. The match also featured JD Myers' first Red Wolves appearance as he entered the match to replace Avilez. Chattanooga was able to tie the match at one apiece in the 13th minute with Marsh's first goal on a penalty kick after Tormenta's opening goal in the 10th minute. The Avilez ejection led to a penalty kick for the home side to give them the lead just before half time.

Marsh found the second equalizer of the night in the 56th minute to even the score at 2-2, but Tormenta nabbed their third goal just ten minutes later for another short lead. Their final goal came from their second penalty kick of the night for the 4-2 result.

One Knoxville enters the match having recently hosted Union Omaha on Tuesday, July 18th in a 2-1 loss featuring a late game winner for the visitors in stoppage time. Knoxville took an early lead just ten minutes into the match, but their opponents equalized five minutes later for a 1-1 score going into halftime. Omaha dominated the second half as Knoxville went down a man following a red card in the 81st minute. Omaha forward Dion Acoff notched the game winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time, delivering Knoxville's third consecutive loss with a 2-1 final.

The Red Wolves return home to CHI Memorial Stadium on Saturday, July 29th to take on North Carolina FC. Fans can enjoy a pre-match live concert and $1.00 hot dogs, presented by Outlaw Mile High Light Beer. Cardiac Punch also makes its return to the drink menu while specially priced margaritas will be sold exclusively at the Howl Bar.

RED WOLVES ROSTER CONSISTENCY ISSUES PERSIST

As the Red Wolves look forward to a full and healthy roster, the absence of goalkeeper Carlos Avilez due to a one match suspension will require play from Ricardo Jérez. Jérez, who has not registered a Red Wolves appearance since June 3rd in a road match against Richmond Kickers, was most recently with the Guatemalan National Team for their run during the Concacaf Gold Cup, leaving Avilez and Myers as the goalkeeping tandem.

While defender Aarón Lombardi's status has been upgraded to probable, the Red Wolves may lose depth up front with Felipe Liborio, Jr., Omar Gomez, and Walter Varela listed as questionable.

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United Soccer League One Stories from July 21, 2023


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