Chattanooga Football Club has been named MLS NEXT Pro Team of the Month for its performances throughout the month of April.
The Boys in Blue began the month with a 6-2 demolition of Inter Miami II at Finley Stadium on April 13th led by a first-half hat-trick from Jalen James. The next weekend saw CFC defeat Southeast Division rivals Huntsville City FC in the club's first-ever regular season away match at Wicks Family Field 1-0 thanks to captain Alex McGrath's late goal. CFC were edged by Atlanta United 2 four days later with a first-half penalty kick being the decider.
The team responded to that first setback by winning the first-ever Battle of the Independents against Carolina Core 2-0 at Fort Finley.
Sporting Director and Head Coach Rod Underwood gave his reaction to the league-wide recognition.
"You don't play for awards, but you want to do the work and do the best that you can," said Underwood. "For me, personally, none of this happens without God. I'm trying to be faithful and to do my best work for our team. We're happy as a club to have this recognition in our first year and this early in the season, and hopefully we get a lot more."
Underwood expanded on which aspects of the team's performances he's most pleased about at this early stage of the season.
"We're just improving game by game. We try to be better every day. We want to work hard and make sure that we push in the right way and fashion. We always want to make sure we play together. One of our core principles is being unified on and off the field and making connections with each other on and off the field. We want that unity to galvanize our group and continue to move us forward."
Chattanooga FC currently leads the Eastern Conference and are next in action against Orlando City B on Saturday May 4th on what will be Star Wars Night at Finley Stadium. Tickets are on sale now!