With the start of the Red Wolves season drawing ever-nearer, Sean McDaniel’s remade soccer team is prepared to excite fans in what is hopefully a brand new stadium. He and coach Jimmy Obleda have promised that last year’s 1-0 games are a thing of the past, replaced with a high-octane style of play.
“I think in the offseason when me and coach Obleda looked at our roster, we knew that what we needed, now that we had a year under our belt in USL League One,” said McDaniel. “We want an attacking, high-pressing style of soccer, and that takes a certain kind of player and athlete. We think we have put together a really good team for the entertainment value that we hope to provide.”
Because of the stadium’s location, McDaniel believes the team will have the opportunity to entertain plenty of fans with their attacking play. Even though the stadium is in East Ridge, McDaniel did not want for the team to known as “just” an East Ridge team.
“It’s been widely reported that 125,000 cars a day pass right by there, so when you talk about visibility and being able to show what you’re doing among that many people, the idea is to then draw from all over the region, not just certain pockets,” said McDaniel. “While it’s built in East Ridge, it allows us to showcase everything from miles around.”
One difference between this year’s team and last year’s inaugural squad is their youth. While a few veterans like Eamon Zayed are back in Chattanooga’s red kits, the Red Wolves have brought in a host of youthful players. Springy athletes such as Marky Hernandez will be leaned upon to produce for the Red Wolves.
“What happened last year was, that being our first year, we had a veteran squad. They were guys who were good players who have a lot of experience who could sort through any soccer-related problems that may have existed on the field,” said McDaniel. “While we were happy with the players we got, we also recognized in League One, especially against the MLS sides, it’s much more fast-paced and athletic. So it just takes a different kind of player. Inside the locker room we were fine, but on the field it was a different style of play.”
One of those veterans who wase let go was defender Richard Dixon, who was one of the more acclaimed signings of the first season. However, Dixon struggled with an injury for most of the season. He then signed with the rival Chattanooga Football Club after the season. McDaniel was diplomatic when discussing the move, stressing the “business” aspect of the sport.
“I love Richard, and he’s a great advocate for the city of Chattanooga,” said McDaniel. “But like all things that we learn in sports, we may love the individual, but when there is a contractual aspect to it and we’re looking to calibrate the roster, sometimes there are casualties. Us losing Richard had nothing to do with Richard, it just had to do with the business of running the club.”
Another departure was defender Colin Falvey, who joined Sacramento Republic FC as a coach. While Falvey was not officially a coach last season, he might as well have been an assistant for then-interim coach David Baruetta. While McDaniel did not elaborate on the circumstances of Falvey’s move away from the club, the general manager was instead congratulatory of what he had accomplished while again stressing the business side of professional soccer.
“In this sport, what I’ve learned is that the relationships we have, as strong and as great as they are, there is still a business side of running the company,” said McDaniel. “That includes everything from payroll to international visas, to making sure we’re checking all the boxes. So Colin, what a great asset he was to us, and we loved having him here. But we also know he’s been able to move on to a higher coaching calling in Sacramento and we’re happy for him.”
Even though the Red Wolves have an opportunity to play their cross-town rivals in a “Chattanooga Derby” of sorts, McDaniel said he and the club are more focused on winning their first game.
“What I’m really looking forward to is advancing out of the first round of the Open Cup, because we had a stinker last year,” said McDaniel. “For us, being able to play Birmingham Legion here is a big deal for us, and if we can advance out of it, we’ll be happy to get to the next round, whoever we play.”
For this to occur, Chattanooga Football Club would need to defeat Memphis, and then the winner of Charleston vs Tormenta. Meanwhile, the Red Wolves would need to defeat Birmingham, and then the winner of Miami FC vs Naples United/Miami United 2. The Red Wolves will get to show off their new and exciting brand of soccer on March 27 during their season opener against Greenville.