In a match where the Chattanooga Football Club wasted a bundle of scoring opportunities but wound up in a tie, Gabi Gonzalez capitalized on a brief opening in the CSD Municipal defense. As was a theme in the first half, CFC found themselves with plenty of space in the open field on the counterattack. After the Guatemalan powerhouse caught up to the Tennessee forwards, the counterattack stalled as a defender deflected the initial shot at the goal.
However, this deflection simply led to a chaotic sequence, where Municipal was unable to successfully clear the ball. The precious object eventually found its way into the waiting feet of Sanchez, who blasted it past the keeper and straight into the goal, giving Chattanooga a temporary lead at the muggy field at Ridgeland High School in Chattanooga Valley.
However, that lead did not last, as Municipal struck back with a score of their own. After a Municipal free kick failed to be headed in, the ball was deflected backward. However, it wasn’t quite a clearance, and Carlos Gallardo ripped in from the top of the box and struck the rebound into the net for Municipal’s only goal of the match.
This exhibition match ended that way, in a 1-1 draw, with most of the Chattanooga starters sitting out the match, aside from Juan Hernandez, Felipe Oliveira, and Zeca. CFC played against Asheville City SC on Saturday night and they have an important matchup against Nashville on Wednesday.
The atmosphere in the stands was rowdy, and the din of an incredibly enthusiastic PA announcer overpowered the viewer’s sense of hearing. With the PA announcer speaking in Spanish and the majority of the crowd seemingly rooting for the Guatemalan team, it felt as if the match was being played in the Estadio Doroteo Guamuch.
On the field was a different story, as CSD Municipal appeared to be sleepwalking through the first half. The red-clad team known as Los Rojos appeared content allowing CFC to plow down the pitch on counter-attack after counter-attack, with Chattanooga blowing a number of easy scores.
While Municipal tightened up their back line in the second half, they never did take control of the match like many expected them to. The crowd was entertained nonetheless, and gave both teams a standing ovation as the final whistle sounded.
Chattanooga resumes their league schedule on the road at Inter Nashville SC, who they previously whipped 4-0 in Finley Stadium. The match will be streamed at 8:30 on Chattanooga Football Club’s official channel.