The Red Wolves made a statement at CHI Memorial Stadium Saturday night, blanking league leaders Spokane Velocity FC, 3-0, in the first meeting between the two sides this season.
In what was a highly anticipated matchup at CHI Memorial Stadium, Chattanooga entered the game sitting fourth in the league standings just five points back from league leaders Spokane.
The Red Wolves would waste no time getting on the score sheet after defender Yanis Lelin netted his first goal this season in 4’ minute. Lelin tucked it home first time after receiving a layoff from teammate Michael Knapp to put the host side in front. Not more than five minutes later, Chattanooga created another scoring opportunity. Omar Gómez laced a half volley from well outside the box forcing a save out of the Spokane keeper.
Spokane’s best chance of the match would come in the 34’ minute after they were awarded a penalty kick. Red Wolves keeper, Jason Smith would be called upon to make the stop and he would answer. The first-year pro dove to his right to deny Spokane’s Anuar Peláez from tying the contest at one a piece.
The huge stop would keep the momentum with the home side and that would be clear after Chattanooga doubled its lead in the 38’ minute. After being awarded a free kick from about twenty yards out, Omar Hernandez would hit a ball with his left foot that hit the bottom of the cross bar that went straight down to make increase the lead to two. With the goal, Hernandez tallied his fourth goal in league play and the Red Wolves would head into half at CHI Memorial Stadium up 2-0.
Chattanooga started the second half much how they started the first as they would grab their third goal of the game just three minutes in. After losing the ball deep in Spokane’s defensive third, Chattanooga pressed well to win it back. The press started with forward Greyson Mercer after he battled hard to win the ball back for the Red Wolves. After winning the ball back it would fall to the feet of Jordan Ayimbila in which he whipped a ball with his left foot in between two Velocity defenders finding Zahir Vasquez for the goal.
Later on, the visitors would try to find the breakthrough but could not after a ball was laced after the cross bar. That would be the last of Spokane’s chances and would cap off a huge win for Chattanooga at the Den. Despite being out possessed the Red Wolves pick up their third shutout in its last four fixtures.
With the win, Chattanooga jumps two spots in the table to second and sits just two points behind Spokane. The Red Wolves also lead the league in goal differential after handing Spokane its largest loss of the season.
The Red Wolves return to CHI Memorial Stadium on Saturday July 26 at 7:00 p.m. to face One Knoxville in the USL Jägermeister Cup.
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