Chattanooga FC Defeats Napa Valley 1839 FC 3-0 in Members Cup Showdown

By Chattanooga FC

It was a beautiful night in Chattanooga.  The oppressive heat which hung over the city for the past week broke into a perfect late summer night as the boys in blue took the field at Finley Stadium for the first time in three weeks to face Napa Valley 1839 FC.  The last time these two teams faced off, Chattanooga FC launched an all-out attack, dismantling the home team 6-0. Saturday night’s match would be more of the same, and the home team held serve, beating Napa Valley 3-0. 

“We came out ready to play and got the early goal,” said Sheldon Grizzle, President of Chattanooga FC. “This gives us something to build on this as we head back on the road for the next two games.” 

Chattanooga FC set the tone from the start, as Genki Miyachi tapped a loose ball into the Napa Valley box to give the home team a 1-0 lead in just the second minute of play. 

Twenty minutes later, Chattanooga FC took full control of the game as Alun Webb air-mailed a long cross to Joao Costa, whose perfect header left the keeper guessing and gave CFC a 2-0 lead. 

“Once again, we got off to a great start,” said Peter Fuller, Associate Head Coach of Chattanooga FC. “It always helps when you get an early goal, which we were able to do in both of our games versus Napa Valley this year.  Overall, it was a solid performance and a very important three points.”

The backline held their own and snuffed out the few attacks that came their way.  Phil D’Amico made some key stops and preserved the shutout for the boys in blue. 

As time expired, substitute midfielder Caleb Cole launched a rocket into the back of the net as time expired and extended the lead to 3-0 and secured three points for the club.

Next up for Chattanooga is an extended road trip, starting this weekend as the team heads to Michigan for the second match against Michigan Stars.  After this weekend, the club heads to New York to face New York Cosmos B in hopes of exacting revenge on the 1-0 loss handed to them in the Members Cup opening match in Finley Stadium. 

Photo Credit: Ray Soldano