Chattanooga FC faced off against Southeast Division rivals Crown Legacy FC, and were edged 2-1 in front of 3,294 supporters at Finley Stadium on Saturday night.
Crown took the lead right before halftime when Jahlane Forbes finished from close range. CFC equalized in the 71st minute when Mehdi Ouamri converted from the penalty spot after referee Stearne Briem awarded the spot-kick due to a Crown handball. The goal was Ouamri's seventh on the season.
The Charlotte-based side regained its lead in the 77th minute when Aron John finished inside the penalty area. CFC continued to push for another equalizer but ultimately came up short on the night.
"We didn't pay close enough attention to the detail on two plays and we paid for it," said Sporting Director and Head Coach Rod Underwood after the match. "I thought we were in control and we were measured. We were fairly good with the ball. We need to be a little more clinical in the attacking areas.
"We didn't give up a lot of chances, but the ones we did were pretty easy chances and that's concerning. But I think the positive is that the substitutues were good. Some players had some of their better games. We were better with the ball, more compact, more dangerous. We're trending in the right direction, but trending and getting the right result is a different story."
The result sees CFC fall to fourth place in the Eastern Conference table on 28 points.
Chattanooga FC has a quick turnaround as it travels to Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union II for a match on Thursday, July 11th at 6:00 p.m. at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania before visiting fellow Independent side Carolina Core on July 17th in High Point, North Carolina.
CFC returns to Finley Stadium in Matchweek 19 with a Southeast Division match against Orlando City B on Saturday July 27th at 7:00 p.m. ET. Tickets are on sale now at CFCTix.com.