Things Get Interesting

So we saw a slightly less powerful Atlanta Silverbacks Reserves squad on Saturday than we saw in the US Open Cup qualifiers (fishy, we know), but they still put up a good fight going down swinging (actually, kicking) 2-1 to Chattanooga FC.

While CFC seemed to win a slight edge on possession, several of the boys played sloppily (uncharacteristically) — James Moore and Alex Rodriguez made several errant passes, and Nick Chase had that big foul in the box that let Atlanta back into it right after our goal… And this week’s decision to start Moises Drumond over Mark Sherrod didn’t look quite so cagey as Moises lacked the speed and effectiveness he showed last weekend. However, he did get that great position down in the 6 yard box early in the game, ahead of the whole defense with only the goalie to beat, and had his legs swiped out from under him — with no call at all! Again, one has to wonder where we get these refs from…

On the other hand, some positives: defender-would-be-striker Nick Odeny took a gamble on a run up front and Chris Ochieng rewarded him with a lovely pass — and while it was a bit of a bouncing accident (Nick takes shot, shot hits goalie, bounces off Nick and into the goal), a goal is a goal is a goal. And Mr Ochieng’s penalty kick late in the game was picture perfect — low righthand corner (and you have to admire he didn’t have to employ the illegal-but-always-allowed “stop-start-stop-start” PK shot that Atlanta utilized).

But our Man of the Match award has to go to Thomas Hunter. While he couldn’t stop the PK and that final rocket shot of the game beat him, it did carom off the bar and off his head, and not into the goal! He had three really good saves, including the one-on-one where he came out quick to defuse the possible goal-scoring situation in the first half. A job well done Mr Hunter.

So now the league gets complicated. If the League Standings numbers are right on the CFC site, then we can make these assessments:

Chattanooga FC stands on 16 points with 3 league games left.

Former cellar-dwellers Jacksonville United have enjoyed putting their opponents through the long travel gauntlet and have won 4 straight league games to combat their 4 straight early losses. The only problem is they just have one home game left, along with a trip to RCU (who still has no home wins this year). So JUFC could end with as many as 18 points.

Meanwhile, RCU nabbed a win on the road at Georgia Revolution, giving the Revs their second loss in a row. Both Altanta and Georgia Rev have 11 points in 7 games. With 3 games left, either could feasibly end with 20 points, but Atlanta does have to go to Jacksonville. And the Revs would have to beat CFC twice — and winning in Finley has proved to be quite difficult for our opponents.

Meanwhile Chattanooga FC holds its destiny in its own hands. With 2 wins out of the next 3 games, we win the region straight out. A win and two ties would also see us through with no worries. One win against Georgia only would give us 19 points, more than the 17 the Revs would have if they won 2 of their last 3. Atlanta plays at RCU and at home to Knoxville, 2 games it should win, but the away game against Jacksonville looks to be a tough one (hoping for a point is the most we would recommend), and that is optimistic given JUFC‘s undefeated home record. That would keep Atlanta at 17 or 18 points, still less than 19. So it’s also possible that 3 ties could be enough to get Chattanooga FC through, if Atlanta lost one of its last 3 games.

Only Knoxville and Rocket City look to be out of the running for the league championship no matter how many they win in their remaining games. Though either team could be a spoiler for Atlanta, and Knoxville could make Chattanooga’s season end on a sour note.

So there are many scenarios where CFC can win the region, but the team cannot afford to rest on its laurels. We need 2 wins out of our next 3, pure and simple.

Let’s go Chattanooga!

Post by John Q. Chattanooga | Chattanooga FC
4 Comments »