The Chattanooga Red Wolves suffered a road loss to Sarasota Paradise 3-2, in USL League One action on Wednesday.
This Saturday, the Wolves will return home for a game against the New York Cosmos. This will be the first-ever interaction between the two sides.
Inclement weather pushed the match back an hour. The Red Wolves soldiered through nonetheless, readying themselves for the awaiting game in Sarasota.
Anderson Rosa got the scoring started for Florida in the 18th, with a surprising shot from outside the box that shifted barely inside the goalpost. After that came three corners in a row for the home team, but the Wolves—and especially Jason Smith—were quick to nullify all three.
In the 25th, Matt Bentley entered Sarasota’s box to receive a pass and became the victim of a poor tackle by Paradise goalie Alex Sutton. The resulting penalty kick was taken successfully by Omar Hernandez, leveling out the game early on.
The 43rd was when the tides turned again. Defensive lapses from Chattanooga and a lack of their usual rhythm allowed Sarasota forward Emiliano Terzaghi to spot a pass from teammate Jonathan Bolanos and flick it in, way wide of Jason Smith. Just three minutes later, the latter would score a goal of his own to stretch the deficit further.
Coming out of halftime and down by two, the Wolves were chomping at the bit to make things right. They’d been hampered by offensive inconsistencies and their opponents’ possession in the first, and were in desperate need of stepping things up. Defense grew tighter and possession increased, and while Sarasota was barred from a fourth point, the Red Wolves seemed equally unable to score—that was, until the exact final minute of play, when the persevering band screamed their way to a final corner.
The diligent Omar sent it rocketing in, landing it perfectly with the mess of bodies. It was chaos for several sweet seconds, until the masterful Greyson Mercer picked out his path and sent the ball upward into the net.
Though the game ended just seconds later, Sarasota would be sentenced to remembering that even in victory. The Red Wolves had beaten them to the last laugh.
_ Emily Foster
About Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
Founded in 2018 by Bob Martino, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC is a professional soccer club competing in USL League One. The club is committed to building a victorious culture rooted in enduring values, elite talent development, and giving back to the greater Chattanooga community. As a pillar in the region, the Red Wolves strive to inspire the next generation of players and fans by fostering excellence and integrity.
