Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (8-7-9) drew 2-2 against Toronto FC II (6-9-8) at BMO Training Ground on Friday. The result momentarily moves the Red Wolves up into fourth place.
The first half of the match saw Toronto strike first, putting one on the board in the 31st minute after a hard tackle by defender Leo Folla was called for penalty kick. Jordan Perruzza finished from the spot, giving his side a 1-0 lead.
Six minutes into the second half, Chattanooga equlized after defender Tony Walls was brought down by Griffin Dorsey, earning the Red Wolves their own penalty kick. Captain Steven Beattie finished the kick, notching his ninth goal of the season and putting him within two of the league leader.
The home side took back the lead in the 72nd minute, finding the net from another set piece situation due to a foul called on defender Timmy Mehl. Toronto’s Jordan Faria curled a free kick over the Red Wolves’ wall and past goalkeeper Alex Mangels, giving his side a short-lived 2-1 lead.
Chattanooga equalized for the second time 11 minutes later when Toronto’s backline failed to clear out a corner kick. The failed clearance found Mehl on the right flank who then sent a ball in to unmarked midfielder Connor Doyle at the back post. Doyle slid a pass across the six-yard box to Eamon Zayed who finished into an open net. The goal marked Zayed’s sixth of the season.
The two teams continued to battle through the final minutes of the match, but the score would stand at 2-2.
Although unable to capitalize, forward Sito Seoane had a dynamic performance, recording five shots for the Red Wolves. Defender Vangjel Zguro recorded five tackles, two clearances and one interception. Offensively, he sent in a total of 22 crosses. Defender Timmy Mehl recorded five interceptions and three blocks for the Red Wolves.
The match result is identical to that of the first-ever matchup between the two clubs back on June 1. The teams will have to wait until October 5 to see who will claim the season series when Toronto returns to Chattanooga for the final of three meetings between the two sides.
Up next, Chattanooga closes out its four-match road-stand, facing Lansing Ignite FC at Cooley Law School Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 14 for the final meeting between the two clubs.
Chattanooga last visited Lansing on July 31 and fell 2-0. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET, and the match can be streamed live via ESPN+.
Chattanooga announced the launch of its 2020 Season Ticket Memberships deposit campaign. Fans can place a deposit for the 2020 season and get access to Season Tickets Memberships before the general public. For more information, visit chattredwolves.com/reserveyourspot-2020.