Union Omaha returns to CHI Memorial Stadium this Saturday as Chattanooga hosts the final meeting between the Red Wolves and the Owls. The clubs’ last meeting on August 9th saw Omaha pick up three points at home narrowly defeating the Red Wolves by a score of 2-1 while the first matchup of the season ended in a 3-3 draw at The Den on May 20th. The Red Wolves will be looking to break up the Owls’ eight-match win streak entering this week’s match.
The Red Wolves last played Charlotte Independence on the road on Saturday, September 9th with the Jacks taking the final match of the series with a 3-0 result.
A strong first half from the Red Wolves led both teams into halftime knotted up at 0-0 with the Red Wolves leading in shots/on target and possession; however, a strong showing from Charlotte in the second half saw goals from Tresor Mbuyu in the 68th minute and Khori Bennett in the 81st minute. Carlos Avilez denied a penalty shot awarded to the home side in the 86th minute as the goalkeeper dove to stop Bennett from scoring a second time. The match then entered a lightning delay with just two minutes left on the clock and Charlotte with a 2-0 lead, but the home side would pick up their third and final goal once the match resumed in the 90th minute from Luis Álvarez.
Omaha extended their victory streak to eight matches on September 9th in a 2-1 win at home over the Richmond Kickers. Both sides were kept off the board through the first half with the Owls leading in shots, 13-8 over the Kickers. They found the back of the net first in the 58th minute with a header from Pedro Dolabella to open the scoring and got their second of the night in the 82nd minute from Luis Gil. The Kickers’ avoided the shutout with an own goal from the Owls in stoppage time, but were unable to equalize as Omaha snagged their eighth straight victory and the three points.
Noche de Lobos returns to CHI Memorial Stadium this weekend to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month. Fans will enjoy a pre-match live DJ at the Howl Bar, Hispanic cuisine at the concession stands, a dance ensemble at half time, and the night wraps up with the penultimate fireworks show of the season.
CHEVONE MARSH NAMED USL LEAGUE ONE PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Red Wolves’ leading goal scorer Chevone Marsh recently won USL League One Player of the Month for the month of August. The Jamaican native scored goals in four consecutive games, was fourth in the league’s Golden Boot race with 11 total goals on the season, and had a 90% pass completion rate.
“I don’t have words right now, I feel very happy to be named Player of the Month for August,” Marsh said. “I appreciate the fans, my teammates, the coaching staff, my family and friends. I’m really happy to be Player of the Month.”
“Thoroughly deserved,” Interim Head Coach Scott Mackenzie said. “Marsh’s been a top player and top contributor for us. He comes into the club his first year with a high-level pedigree and he’s shown why. He’s made leaps and bounds playing for us. When he’s on the pitch he impacts the result and the scoreline. He’s been great for us.”
While the first Red Wolves player to win the honor, Marsh is the second Red Wolves player to be nominated as goalkeeper Carlos Avilez was nominated for the month of May earlier this season.
RED WOLVES WITHOUT KEY PIECES AHEAD OF THIS WEEK’S CONTEST
Chattanooga will take on Omaha this week without a handful of key pieces due to injuries to Felipe Liborio, Jr. (groin) and Chevone Marsh, who will miss the match as a precaution due to an abductor injury. Richard Rentería continues to recover from a knee injury; however, the backline could see the return of Manuel Madrid who has been out since September 2nd with an injury to his hamstring.
The Red Wolves will see the return of goalkeeper Ricardo Jérez and defender Nico Cardona this week following their international call-ups to the Guatemalan and Puerto Rican national teams, respectively.