PREVIEW: CHATTANOOGA FC (HOME) VS. MIAMI UNITED FC (AWAY)

– Saturday, July 23 at 7:30 pm

– Live stream link to be posted at www.chattanoogafc.com on match day

– Discounted tickets if you order early, $12 at gate, fans should visit http://chattanooga-fc.myshopify.com/collections/matchtickets for more information

Saturday’s match between Chattanooga FC and Miami United FC is going to be a fantastic South Region final with two conference champions facing off.

Chattanooga FC

Chattanooga had an incredible regular season, finishing with a 9-0-1 record and a first-place finish in the Southeast Conference.  The conference title would be their sixth in club history, an amazing feat considering that they play in an ultracompetitive conference.
CFC outscored their opponents 21-3 thanks to a potent attack and one of the country’s top defenses.  Forward Luke Winter was the team’s leading scorer with six goals and one assist.  He proved to be Mr. Dependable with five game-winning goals in 2016, continuing his fine form through the start of the playoffs.  Winter has been clutch in the playoffs with game-winners against both Knoxville and Memphis and another two goals against Dutch Lions FC NPSL.  Calling him a prolific playmaker is a bit of an understatement, considering he holds the U.S. Open Cup record for most goals by an NPSL player.  He’s explosive and is a player to watch for in the CFC attack.
Chattanooga may have the best 1-2 punch at goalkeeper in the entire league.  Hartley, a two-time NPSL Golden Gloves honoree, allowed just two goals in league play for a 0.29 GAA.  When Hartley went down with injury, Tom Halsall filled in admirably and kept the undefeated streak alive.  The goalkeepers are protected by the region’s top backline, a group led by defender Jake Young.
CFC’s offense was on display Saturday night as they rolled to a 4-0 win over Dutch Lions FC. Jon Finlay and Davidson scored goals in addition to Winter’s brace.  It was a dominant performance, one that gave them an opportunity to host the South Region final.

Notable Quote: “We’re very pleased with our team’s performances this year and grateful for the opportunity to be in this position again. It seems like every year the teams in the NPSL get better and better so making a deep playoff run is a testimony to our players and our coaching staff. Miami only has one loss this season and are very talented and extremely organized.  Our fans will be needed more now than ever before. A huge home crowd could be the difference maker.” – Sean McDaniel, Chattanooga FC General Manager

Miami United FC

Miami United are coming off their second Sunshine Conference championship.  Their regular season record of 9-1-0 put them nine points ahead of any other team. They won the conference title outright with no conference playoffs and got to the regional final with a 2-0 win over the Atlanta Silverbacks.

Miami’s attack, which was first in the conference with 28 goals, is led by Julio Cesar Rambo de Leon (eight goals) and Ignacio Calcagno (seven goals).  Bruno Camacho, Daniel Godoy, and Omar Estrada Soto are the anchors of the Miami defense.

The squad features two former national teamers in Rambo (Honduras) and Godoy (Venezuela).

Notable Quote: “I think the Sunshine Conference was the toughest conference in the NPSL. After our bad start in the first game with a 5-0 loss, we won nine games in a row.  The entry of Rambo put a touch of experience on our amazing group. We became for the two-time champion of Florida after winning the title in 2014.” – Roberto Sacca, Miami United FC team owner