As this weekend rolls around and the NPSL National Championships begin, we Chattahooligans are again reminded of the sad fact that our team is not in it. And as much as we dislike the Madison City field, it is a far better scenario to be playing on it than not. So, we’ll hang our heads low and look forward to next season…
The DC United game last week was a great deal of fun, with some entertaining play by both sides, but the result was not what we wanted. Sure, we looked very competitive — with as good a chance to win the game as the U23s had, and far and away better than we looked against them last year — but a third loss in a row was a tough way to wrap up the year. Especially after leading the league for 80% of the season.
So we’ll hold out with our hopes for a better turn of events in 2012. In the meantime, everyone should look in on the NPSL Semifinals going on tonight between the Southeast champion Jacksonville United FC and the Northeast’s Eerie Admirals and then between the West’s Hollywood Hitmen and the Midwest’s Milwaukee Bavarians. The odds seem to be stacked in Hollywood’s favor as they boast several ex-pro and internationally traveled players, but you play the game for a reason. It is interesting to note that none of last year’s Final Four teams returned this year — though all had pretty good seasons.
Some factoids from the Chattanooga FC 2011 season:
The team finished in third place with 17 points — as Georgia Revolution and Jacksonville United tied for first with 18 points, but since they were tied on head-to-head match ups, Jacksonville went through due to their 6 wins over Georgia’s 5…
Chattanooga FC finished with 5 wins, 2 ties, 3 losses in league play, and 8-2-5 overall.
On July 9, 2011, the team lost it’s first match at home in Finley Stadium since May 2009.
The team’s unbeaten streak in regular season league play (13 games) ended on June 4, 2011 in Jacksonville. The last regular season loss in the NPSL Southeast was on June 27, 2009.
In three seasons the team’s record is 20 wins, 5 ties and 10 losses. All under Head Coach Brian Crossman.
This year, the team won it’s first berth in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup by defeating Rocket City in the semifinals and Atlanta Silverbacks Reserves in the 118th minute in the finals.
The team won it’s second ever international match against CF Monterrey’s U20s.
The team played its first professional opponent, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the USL Pro, in the US Open Cup, losing in overtime by one goal (after leading 2-0 after 75 minutes).
Each of the five losses this season were by only one goal.
12 different players scored this season.
How was Chris ochieng not all-conference?? He scored almost each game WITHOUT any service from our crap midfield. Something happened early this season in that locker room as the team that started the season could beat anyone. Players leaving left and right and weird selections for starters (robbie hill?) . You can’t fire the players (especially when they aren’t paid) but perhaps its coaching change time.
We agree Mike — Chris has to be the season MVP (or co-MVP) leading scorer and many assists… We suspect it is due to the fact that the coaching staff can only nominate 2 players to the all-star team…