The Chattanooga Red Wolves look to win the final match in the 2023 series against Lexington SC this weekend on the road after losing 2-0 on June 14th in their last meeting in Lexington, KY. Both teams share a point in the series after the Chattanooga Red Wolves won at home on April 29th by a final score of 3-1.
Chattanooga heads into this weekend’s match after a heartbreaking 3-2 loss at home to Union Omaha on Saturday, September 16th. Chattanooga had early opportunities to find the back of the net by Ryley Kraft and Aaron Lombardi but were stopped by the Omaha keeper.
The Red Wolves continued to press but the Owls took the lead first in the 18th minute of the match. Union Omaha extended their lead by 2-0 in the 33rd minute after a breakthrough in midfield. Five minutes later, Ryley Kraft put the Red Wolves on the scoreboard after a free kick just outside the 18 yard box. As both teams approached half time, the Owls found the back of the net once more to take their lead to 3-1. The Red Wolves looked to get back into the match despite being a man down after defender Manuel Madrid received a red card in the 57th minute of the match. As the second half came to a close, and the match approached stoppage time, midfielder Ropapa Mensah scored in the 90th minute to make it 3-2. Although momentum was on the home side, the Cardiac Red Wolves were unable to equalize.
After over an hour of weather delays, Lexington Sporting Club’s last game resulted in a 2-2 draw at home against Charlotte Independence on Sunday, September 17th under interim head coach Nacho Novo. Lexington SC earned a penalty kick in the 24th minute, but was denied by the Jacks goalkeeper. Just 9 minutes later, Charlotte Independence found the first goal of the match in the 33rd minute and went into the locker room with a 1-0 lead. Lexington SC found their equalizer in the 60th minute of the match and took a 2-1 lead minutes later after an own goal by Charlotte’s Joel Johnson. The home team would have a short lead after the visitors found their second goal of the night in the 72nd minute, the final goal of the match.
The Chattanooga Red Wolves will return home on Saturday, September 30th against Central Valley Fuego FC as fans can partake in the final Beer Fest of the season at CHI Memorial Stadium with national, regional, and local vendors on site with a ticket deal including admission to the match, a Red Wolves branded beer stein, plus unlimited tastings on sale.
RED WOLVES CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
The Chattanooga Red Wolves will continue to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by wearing their Noche De Lobos pre-match jersey during warm-ups on Saturday before taking on Lexington SC. The Red Wolves debuted their pre-match jerseys during their home game against Union Omaha, and will wear them for the final time this season against Central Valley Fuego FC on Saturday, September 30th.
The jerseys are now on sale online and at the Red Wolves team store.
KRAFT PICKS UP NOMINATION FOR USL LEAGUE ONE’S GOAL OF THE WEEK
Ryley Kraft picked up a nomination for USL League One’s Goal of the Week after his stunning free kick against Union Omaha. This is Kraft’s second goal of the season for the Chattanooga Red Wolves and his second nomination for Goal of the Week as well as the fifth nomination for the Red Wolves this season.
NUMBER OF RED WOLVES OUT OF LINEUP WITH INJURIES
There will be several notable absences to this week’s Red Wolves roster with new injuries to Aarón Lombardi and Chevone Marsh in addition to long standing injuries keeping Richard Rentería and Christian Enriquez off the pitch for the remainder of the season. Moe Espinoza will also miss this weekend’s match.