Read on for a full recap, post-match reaction, photo gallery and more.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (May 3, 2025) — After a one-hour weather delay, Chattanooga Football Club fought to its first goalless draw since joining MLS NEXT Pro on Saturday evening as Philadelphia Union II visited Finley Stadium for the first time. After the draw, the visitors won the extra point on offer after a marathon penalty shootout ended 9-8 in Philadelphia's favor.
Chattanooga created multiple goalscoring chances in the first half. Daniel Mangarov produced the game's first shot on target, and the talented winger also had a header strike the crossbar in the 20th minute. Scandinavian duo Peter Plougmand and Markus Naglestad both had shots saved by Philadelphia goalkeeper Andrew Rick as well. The half ended after Nick Mendonca attempted a shot from just outside the penalty area and it whizzed inches wide of Rick's post.
CFC nearly went in front four minutes into the second half when captain Farid Sar-Sar got on the end of a free-kick and the ball eventually had to be cleared off the line by Philadelphia defender Isaiah LeFlore. Overall, chances were harder to come by in the second half. Mangarov had the biggest opportunity ten minutes from time when Keegan Ancelin played him a through pass, however Rick was able to make another big save for Philadelphia and the match ended goalless. Twenty-four spot-kicks had to be taken, but ultimately Philadelphia won the extra point.
Head Coach Chris Nugent's side still leads the Eastern Conference and overall league standings.
"I felt we played quite well tonight and created a lot of chances and probably deserved to win," said Nugent in his post-match press conference. "But to not get the extra point doesn't feel like a consolation, but this is the league and how it is. Last year we benefited greatly from them, but to play quite well and then go that long into the penalties and lose them feels a bit like an energy drainer.
"I felt our reaction today following our defeat last weekend was excellent. We created a lot of good chances in the first half and the goalkeeper made two high-level saves. With just a little more cleanliness in the finish, it could have been very different. I was pleased with the response at halftime last week and pleased with today. Philadelphia's a really good team—it's quite clear when you watch them play. I felt we gave more than enough to deserve to win that today, but that's football."
CFC has back-to-back road trips coming up. The team will travel to Ontario, Canada for its next league match at Toronto FC II on Friday, May 9th at 7:00 p.m. EST at York Lions Stadium before a shorter trip over to Huntsville on Saturday, May 17th at 7:00 p.m. EST at Wicks Family Field. The club's next home league match at Finley Stadium will take place on Saturday, May 24th at 7:00 p.m. EST against New England Revolution II. Tickets are on sale now.
Noteworthy
- Chris Nugent made three changes to the starting XI from the last match at Columbus Crew 2 on April 27th—Ethan Dudley, Peter Plougmand and Markus Naglestad came in for Milo Garvanian, Jesus Ibarra and Minjae Kwak
- Peter Plougmand made his first MLS NEXT Pro start for Chattanooga FC
- Defender Mike Bleeker (signed earlier this week) and goalkeeper J.P. Philpot both made their first appearance on a matchday roster for Chattanooga FC
- CFC kept its third clean sheet out of four home league matches so far this 2025 campaign
Post-match press conferences
Goalkeeper Eldin Jakupović and Head Coach Chris Nugent spoke with media following the match.
Box Score
Chattanooga FC (5W-1L-2D, 18 pts.) - Philadelphia Union II (2W-0L-4D, 12 pts.)
Finley Stadium | Chattanooga, Tenn.
Final score:
CFC: 0
PHI: 0
Philadelphia wins shootout for the extra point 9-8
Scoring summary:
Stats (CFC / PHI):
xG: 2.56 / 1.04
Possession: 47% / 53%
Shots: 13 / 15
Shots on goal: 5 / 3
Blocked shots: 3 / 5
Total passes: 387 / 433
Passing accuracy percentage: 72.6 / 78.1
Corners: 5 / 6
Total crosses: 5 / 5
Offsides: 2 / 3
Goalkeeper saves: 3 / 5
Clearances: 6 / 3
Fouls: 10 / 13
Discipline:
66' - Tate Robertson - CFC (Caution)
86' - Head Coach Ryan Richter - PHI (Caution)
Line-ups:
CFC starters: Eldin Jakupović, Ethan Dudley (Logan Brown 83'), Nathan Koehler, Farid Sar-Sar (C), Daniel Mangarov, Callum Watson, Nick Mendonca, Tate Robertson, Peter Plougmand, Markus Naglestad (Minjae Kwak 46'), Keegan Ancelin
Substitutes not used: Michael Barrueta, J.P. Philpot, Mike Bleeker, Robert Screen, Steeve Louis Jean, Darwin Ortiz, Colin Thomas
Head Coach: Chris Nugent
PHI starters: Andrew Rick, Isaiah LeFlore, Rafael Uzcategui, Neil Pierre (Oscar Benitez 85'), Gavin Wetzel, CJ Olney (Henry Bernstein 46'), David Vazquez (Giovanny Sequera 85'), Nick Pariano (C), Kellan Leblanc (Leandro Soria Zarate 75'), Sal Olivas (Stas Korzeniowski 67'), Eddy Davis
Substitutes not used: Michael Sheridan, Ramzi Qawasmy
Head Coach: Ryan Richter
