by Trey Meyer
posted June 29, 2009
It only takes a moment’s glance at the game-day program of a Chattanooga Football Club match to notice at least a third of their players are from other nations around the world. These international players combined with the best local talent, have come together to create a new and exciting sports destination for Chattanoogans.
Local soccer fans have responded surprisingly well to the Chattanooga Football Club’s inaugural season. Thousands have attended the club’s matches at Finley Stadium, rain or shine, donning blue CFC T-shirts, rooting for the city’s new semi-pro sensation. Several supporters, including CFC players, believe that the club is filling a long-existing void in Chattanooga’s soccer community.
The excitement the team has generated is apparent. Chattanooga FC’s fan page on Facebook already has more fans than the Major League Soccer page. CFC founders and sponsors employed a strong promotional strategy to kick off the season but, truly, it is the players’ high caliber performance that is proving to be irresistible to local soccer buffs – adults and children alike.
Chattanooga FC players, having only played together for a couple of months, have been motivated by the initial response. Hearing over a thousand cheering fans at their home matches has “elevated their play,” as some of them said, and has helped them come together as a team.
“Chattanooga seems to be embracing the team,” said Moises Drumond, a Canadian forward who played at Bryan College and is currently coaching at Soddy Daisy High School. “The turnout to our first three games alone proves that we are making an impact on the community.”
There are not many who could disagree with that statement with over total attendance nearing 6,000 for the season. According to the National Premier Soccer League website, Chattanooga has, by far and away, the best attendance of all 26 NPSL teams.
The Chattanooga FC is becoming a regional hub for quality soccer and many of the players already feel like an important part of the city’s legacy. Along with fan support, the variety of the players’ backgrounds is creating a unique dynamic in the way the team operates on and off the field.
A few players are native Chattanoogans, like Elliot Anderson, a midfielder who attended CSAS and then played for Emory and Henry College. He believes that CFC has “sparked a lot of interest in the soccer community, particularly in youth soccer.” Indeed, if you have attended a game, you would agree with that statement because young soccer enthusiasts are showing up in droves.
The majority of the players have come from other regions, states, even other countries, including England, Scotland, Belarus, Mexico, Canada and Kenya. Quite a few of them already see Chattanooga as a home away from home. They are inspired by the diversity of the team and generally head-over-heels about spending their summer in the Scenic City with the Chattanooga FC. John Simmons, a midfielder playing at King College and hailing from Essex, England, called the city lovely in its cleanliness and friendly disposition.
“Chattanooga itself is very diverse and exciting,“ said Richard Masters, a goalkeeper from a small town just outside London. “It’s really nice and calm as well…a lot like my home city.”
Overall, the players view the Chattanooga FC as a wonderful opportunity to improve their play and enjoy Chattanooga for its people, scenery and unique lifestyles. Joshua Scott, a defender from London, said “the 1st class organization of the team and overall hospitality has made us feel welcome.”
As members of the team, this eclectic set of young players holds a place in Chattanooga FC history, as many believe the club will continue to inspire the local soccer community and refine the talent of amateur players. With two wins, two losses and one draw, the team has posted solid performances against some well-manned teams from around the Southeast and, as proven thus far, will persist in enriching the Chattanooga sports scene.
Chattanooga FC’s next home game is Saturday, July 4 at 7 p.m. The game will finish around 9 p.m. and will have a shuttle service to the riverfront for fireworks for $1. Tickets to the game cost $5 for adults and $3 for kids.
For more information about Chattanooga FC, visit www.chattanoogafc.com.
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