The CFC players are introduced before a game earlier this year.
photo by Greg Davick
Coming off of their first win of the NPSL season, Chattanooga Football Club (1-1-1) looks to make it two in a row when they go against Atlanta SC (1-2-1) on Wednesday.
Chattanooga, while not perfect, was dominant against Inter Nashville in a 4-0 rout of their interstate rival. The convincing victory showcased a different kind of team from the previous few weeks.
Once they gained the lead, Chattanooga remained focused and continued to apply pressure to an over-matched opponent.
Their talented midfielder Zeca netted a couple of goals, including the one that started the scoring in the first half.
“We had a chip on our shoulder going into this game,” said Zeca, “it was just a matter of who we were going to face. We played like we should’ve been playing, not looking down on our opponent.”
Their next opponent, despite being the defending division champs, sits near the bottom of the NPSL’s Southeast division.
After tying Greenville FC in a scoreless draw, Atlanta SC didn’t get a chance to play last weekend, as the weather prevented them from playing the Georgia Revolution.
Atlanta has two leading goal-scorers, with Prince Saydee and Frantz Dalusma both having two to their name through four games. After a productive practice, coach Elliott named a few of Atlanta’s standout players.
“Yeah, they’ve got a few key players. One, who is a tall, fast guy, is great on counterattacks. They’ve got a big and strong center-forward who can hold the ball up. And they’ve got a center-midfielder who has played for his national team.”
On Chattanooga’s side, CFC has been consistently high-scoring, but until this week has also had a problem with keeping other teams off of the score sheet. Before their demolition of Nashville, CFC had allowed two, four (albeit in an exhibition), and three goals in their last three games.
“We feel like we can’ be explosive offensively at any moment,” said Elliott, ”But we’ve got to get shutouts.”
Wednesday’s match will be the last home game for Chattanooga for several weeks. Zeca pointed out the unique advantage of playing at Finley, and how the team will compensate for that in hostile environments.
“The atmosphere is different in other places,” said the midfielder, “It’s a matter of finding the external motivation that we find in Finley. On the road we have to dig a little deeper, and really focus on the goal.”
Chattanooga kicks off at 7:30, and can be streamed online on Chattanooga Football Club’s YouTube channel.