The Eastern Conference Championship and the chance to host the MLS NEXT Pro Cup Final is on the line on Sunday at Fort Finley.
Chattanooga FC’s biggest moment as a professional club has arrived.
The club hosts Columbus Crew 2 in the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference Final on Sunday night, the most significant trophy at stake since the club turned professional in 2020.
After its most successful regular season since joining the league, the Boys in Blue followed that up by winning the club's first professional playoff match, a 3-1 win over NYCFC II, and the first-ever league playoff match between two independent clubs (3-1 win over CT United FC).
CFC also brings a six-match winning streak into Sunday, with the club's last defeat coming all the way back on August 23 at Crown Legacy.
Chattanooga FC and Columbus have met just once this season, with CFC winning 2-0 back on March 28 thanks to late goals from Keegan Ancelin and Alex McGrath.
What's at stake
The match represents CFC's first Eastern Conference Final and shot at silverware since joining MLS NEXT Pro in 2024. It will be Columbus' fourth Eastern Conference Final in the last five seasons.
Not only that, CFC also knows that victory on Sunday would mean the club would host a national championship, the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Cup Final next Sunday.
Extra time
If the match is level at the end of regulation, two 15-minute halves of extra time will be played. If the match remains tied after extra time, it will then go to a penalty shootout.
What they said
Head Coach Richard Dixon previewed Sunday's monumental encounter with the media this week and spoke about the factors that have led to the team's consistency and positive performances in the latter stages of the season.
"We've been realistic with our approach," Dixon said. "We set out a clear pathway in how we wanted to develop this team throughout the season. We didn't want to start peaking too early. We wanted to make sure we were sustaining performance levels throughout the summer and that we stayed competitive and continued to pick up points, and we definitely fixed that this year. Once we got out of the summer, we wanted to start peaking and the guys have peaked at the right time physically, technically and tactically.
"We were very structured at the beginning of the season to make sure everyone understood the system and their roles within it. Whereas now there's a little bit more freedom; obviously a lot of freedom within the structure. That's how we've outlined it, so the guys have the freedom to operate in the system as they see fit. As I was a player, I've seen that work wonders in a team when players know they can just go out and be on the same page with the gameplan and execute it. That's the point we've got the team right now. They show up on gameday and they all know each others' roles. It's a very good place to be as a team. It's been fun watching them lately."
Know the opponent
Columbus Crew 2 underwent a coaching change late in the season. The Capybaras are now led by Assistant Coach Chris Rogers.
Standout players during playoffs have included U.S. youth international Chase Adams, Prince Forfor, Jamil Danjaji and Brent Adu-Gyamfi.
Kevin Gbamblé is the team's leader in goals (12) and assists (11) from the regular season.
Match information
(2) Chattanooga FC vs. (4) Columbus Crew 2
2026 MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference Final
Venue: Finley Stadium | Chattanooga, Tenn.
Kick-off: Sunday, November 1, 5:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast: MLSNEXTPro.com, OneFootball TV | Talent: James Hadnot
Tickets: Single-match tickets available here
Team kits for Sunday's match
Referees
JCÂ Griggs
Head Referee
Jennifer Garner
Assistant Referee 1
Nicholas Seymour
Assistant Referee 2
Edson Carvajal
4th Official
