Chattanooga Football Club is thrilled to announce the signing of Ana Silva to the 2022 team. Silva was a member of the very first CFC Academy team in 2012 and she's been attending games at Finley for more than a decade.
Silva is a fast, technical player who has found success at forward and defender throughout her career, most recently at defender.
Even though Head Coach Randy Douglas became aware of Silva a couple years ago, the discovery happened almost by accident. Douglas attended one of her games in April -- only he was there to recruit two players from the other team to play for him at Point University where he also coaches.
“I noticed right away she was one of the best players on the field for either team," said Douglas. I spoke to her coach after the match and decided to personally invite her to tryouts.
She did really well in the tryout and I asked her that first night of tryouts about playing."
"I played for CFC Academy growing up," said Silva. "I always looked up to the men and women on the Chattanooga FC teams. It is a great honor to be a part of this team where I can finally be in the shoes of those I looked up to and to play for a community so invested in this team and sport.
(Photo: 2013)
CFC is just part of the Silva family. Older sister, Gabby, played for CFC Academy growing up. Their dad, Danny Silva, has been a coach in the Academy every season since it founded. Ana has gone from cheering from the stands to now being the one who receives the cheers at Finley.
"Knowing I have this amazing fanbase and support behind me will be my driving motivation," added Silva. "I remember how much joy it brought me to watch these incredible players before me, so I want to strive to do my absolute best in order to make my community proud."
Silva was named to the Georgia All-State Team in Class AAA. She's committed to play soccer at Young Harris College in the fall.
"I believe Ana has a tremendous amount of upside and can really do well with CFC. I am hopeful that Ana will be one of those players that we will see in the CFC Blue for a long time.”
The 2022 season begins on May 22 with an away game in Nashville. The first home game for the Women's team is June 4 against North Alabama Soccer Club (Huntsville) at Finley Stadium. Reserved seats are on sale now at ChattanoogaFC.com/tickets. Admission to all Men's and Women's games is included in the 2022 Club Pass.
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