After defeating Rocket City United 4-0 last Saturday, Chattanooga Football Club emphatically ensured that it would have the chance to play for the 2010 NPSL National Championship.
By claiming the Southeast Region title with an undefeated 6-0-2 record, the club now finds itself as the second seed in the NPSL Final Four, alongside FC Sonic of Lehigh Valley, Madison 56ers, and Sacramento Gold.
The action will kick off on Thursday, July 29th in Madison, Alabama, with a semifinal match between FC Sonic and Sacramento Gold at 5:30 P.M. CST in Madison City School Stadium. The winner of the opening game will then await the result of the other semifinal match between Chattanooga FC and Madison 56ers, which will also take place on the 29th in the same location at 8:00 P.M. CST.
The 56ers enter the semifinal against Chattanooga FC as Midwest Region champs with an 8-2-0 record. Not to be confused with the host city in Alabama, the 56ers hail from Madison, Wisconsin, and were able to prevail from a Midwest Region that included such teams as the Chicago Fire NPSL.
The 56ers will provide a stern test for a Chattanooga team that enters the Final Four for the first time in its brief two-year history. Chattanooga FC will also be without captain Russell Courtney who tore his ACL and MCL in an exhibition match with DC United’s reserve squad this past Saturday.
Another notable player missing from the Chattanooga roster on Thursday night will be Chris Ochieng, the club’s leading scorer.
If Chattanooga FC defeats the 56ers, it will then play in the NPSL Championship Match on Saturday, July 31st, at 7:30 P.M. CST. The NPSL Third Place Match, which will involve the losers from both semifinal matches, will take place on Friday the 30th at 5:30 P.M. CST.
Big River Grille will be hosting a Final Four send-off gathering on Tuesday night at 8:30. Supporters are encouraged to come by and meet the team, coaches and staff.