So it begins! Chattanooga FC started the 2010 campaign off on the right foot with a hard fought road win against Atlanta FC 1-0. The team played well and perhaps should’ve done better than only one goal, but we will gladly take an away win in the NPSL Southeast Division…
As we are now a week past that game, we trust that you have read the blow-by-blow commentary in the news or on the twitter feed. If not, you can easily do a little thing we call “google it.” This commentary will focus on our opinion of the game and less on what happened when.
First, the team looks strong. Even with some defensive letdowns, goalkeeper Richard Masters was there to save the day, claiming his first shutout of the season. Even though he didn’t get much play with King last fall due to an injury, he seems to have kept his all-conference form from last season.
We were pleased to see some action up front. Newcomers Ochieng and Salazar seem to be getting along nicely — passing well and creating good opportunities in the attacking end of the field. Espinal came in to provide good minutes as well.
Returning midfielders Glover and Heredia showed why they are starting back in the middle, with good solid play and some great hustle to help out on the defending end. In a strange twist, last year’s defenders Sparks and Clark played wide midfielders. A gamble with mixed results as Clark seemed to struggle while Sparks netted the game’s only goal.
Viatrov provided a nice spark off the bench at wide mid. The defense looks pretty good with returners Scott and Courtney and newcomers Gambill and Stewart. And we have to say kudos to the coaching staff as they got a W on the road and still were able to play alot of guys (17 by our count). The season looks promising.
Other notes: This soccer writer found that between last year’s final game against Saturn FC, the 2009 away game against Pumas FC and this first game against Atlanta FC that perhaps the NPSL is a bit too lax with requirements for teams’ professionalism. Sure, Chattanooga FC sets a high standard, but these teams don’t seem to be trying at all. Here’s what we mean:
The game was delayed by almost half an hour. At first we thought it was due to Atlanta FC showing up on the field only 15 mins before the game. We later found out it was because the refs found the field and nets unsuitable for NPSL play. Somehow they were coaxed out of driving off at kickoff time, and the game was played.
Then there was Atlanta FC behavior. Now, we are not idiots and we are well aware that players at this level of soccer have some things to learn or they would be at higher levels, but come on. Once AFC seemed to realize they weren’t going to win the game, things started to get chippy. In a league where a great number of players are in college, and perhaps on scholarships for soccer, this degree of intentional fouling is at least annoying, at most offensive and insulting. The bad attitudes and play did result in a red card for one player, but the coach and rest of the team responded quite poorly.
There was also very poor form on the players and coaches part with faking injuries in efforts to gain more time. One play resulted with a player not being injured (amazing!) after calling for the stoppage of play. CFC responded to this by keeping the ball instead of returning possession to the opposition (as is tradition). AFC went ballistic and never forgave CFC (who was correct in how they acted according to us) — even refusing to shake hands after the game.
Very poor form Atlanta FC. We can see why CFC would have at least as many fans (75+) as you at the game. We’ll look forward to your trip up here so we can show how a class act does it.
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