May 10, 2024 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Chattanooga FC News Release
Chattanooga Football Club beat Inter Miami II for the second consecutive time this season as a late Mehdi Ouamri wonder goal sealed a 2-1 victory at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and ensured CFC jump to the top of the league’s overall standings.
Jesus Ibarra opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Taylor Gray beat his defender on the right channel before clipping in a cross to Ibarra, who chested to control the ball before volleying in a shot that deflected off Inter Miami II defender Nyk Sessock on its way in.
CFC continued its dominance in the first half. Alex McGrath had a shot blocked and Mehdi Ouamri miscontrolled a chance to double the lead before the break.
Half-time substitute Idoh Zeltzer-Zubida brought Miami level just over a minute after the break when Ryan Carmichael won the ball high up the field and found Zeltzer-Zubida, who dribbled past Jean Antoine and Duvan Viafara before finding the bottom corner.
Chattanooga FC thought it regained the lead midway through the second half when Ouamri chipped a shot in the back of the net, however referee Alex Beehler and crew called for offside.
However, Ouamri would have the final word as the striker found the winner in spectacular fashion, holding off multiple defenders before lofting in a shot from a far and acute angle that soared over keeper Cole Jensen before hitting the post and crossing the goalmouth.
The result sees Chattanooga FC finish the evening top of the league and become the first club to reach 20 points in the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season. CFC will now travel to Charlotte to face Crown Legacy FC on Wednesday, May 15th at 7:30 p.m. ET. The match will be streamed on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Notes
Rod Underwood selected an unchanged line-up for the first time this season
Jesus Ibarra scored his fourth goal of the season to join Alex McGrath at the top of the club’s goalscorers’ list
Mehdi Ouamri scored his third goal of the season and in consecutive matches in the league
Taylor Gray provided his fifth assist of the season, seeing him join New England Revolution II’s Marcos Dias, Tacoma Defiance’s Georgi Minoungou, Ventura County’s Jonathan Perez and New York Red Bulls II’s Mohammed Sofu at the top of the league leaderboard for assists
Quotes
Sporting Director and Head Coach Rod Underwood reacted to the victory in Miami.
“At the end of the day we’re on the road, we picked up three points, and that’s good…
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