The Chattanooga Red Wolves Soccer Club announced the expansion of the franchise with a League Two team. Beginning in 2019, the Dalton Red Wolves will join the ranks of the United Soccer League as a stepping stone for soccer players in pursuit of professional careers.
“USL League Two is integral in the development of Path2Pro, the route to becoming a professional soccer player,” said Bob Martino, owner of both teams.
“Until now, the transition from youth soccer to a professional career has lacked a clear road map. We are proud to provide this much needed conduit while elevating our team’s presence in Georgia as well.”
League Two is considered to be the third tier of the USL behind the Championship and League One divisions. The Chattanooga team is a member of League One.
“League Two will create remarkable opportunities for soccer players in our area. In fact, League Two has provided the Path2Pro for several members of our Chattanooga Red Wolves roster, USL Championship players and European professionals,” added Martino.
Like the other franchises in the league, the Dalton club will provide elite players the opportunity to taste a higher level of competition. The team will compete in the Deep South Division, which currently has seven other clubs.
“We’re very excited to see the continued growth in the greater Tennessee Valley area,” said USL League Two Vice President Joel Nash. “Bob has shown a true willingness to help develop soccer at all levels in the area, and we believe that great things will come from his latest endeavor in USL League Two.”
League Two matches will begin in May of 2019. Dalton will play some home games at Chattanooga Christian School’s David Stanton Field, where the Chattanooga Red Wolves will play inaugural season home games. Additional home matches will be hosted at a venue in north Georgia.
Founded in 2018, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC is a professional soccer club in Chattanooga. The club has plans to construct a new state-of-the-art 5,500-seat soccer-specific stadium in Chattanooga for the 2020 season and will play its inaugural season at David Stanton Field at Chattanooga Christian School while the stadium is being built.
League One submitted its sanctioning application to the U.S. Soccer Federation on Aug. 14. South Georgia Tormenta FC, FC Tucson, Greenville Triumph SC, Forward Madison FC, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, Toronto FC II, Orlando City B, Lansing Ignite FC, North Texas SC and the Richmond Kickers have been revealed as teams set to compete in the inaugural 2019 season.
USL League Two (formerly the PDL) features 74 franchises in four conferences throughout the United States and Canada. Dalton joins previously announced Cedar Stars Rush, Discoveries SC, Florida Elite Soccer Academy, Green Bay, Park City and Wake FC. League Two is headquartered in Tampa, Fla.