July 27, 2024 – United Soccer League One (USL1)
Chattanooga Red Wolves SC News Release
For the third and final time this season, the Chattanooga Red Wolves faced Union Omaha during the 2024 season. Entering the match down chief players in Lucas Coutinho, Stefan Lukic, and Omar Gomez, the Red Wolves looked to compete against the top team in the league with a short bench. After going down to 10 men in the 40th minute, the Red Wolves found an own goal in the 74th for the sole goal of the contest to grab an important three points and a clean sheet in league competition.
The Red Wolves came into the opening minutes of the first half on the front foot and tested the Owls’ Rashid Nuhu early. The sides traded opportunities through the first 15 minutes, but Union Omaha began to pull ahead slightly through the 30th minute. TJ Bush made several key saves, including one on the line following a corner kick in the 15th minute and a second big save in the 38th minute.
As Chattanooga looked to create more offensive chances, Omaha continued their press and, in an attempt to stop an advancing Omaha, Gustavo Ferandes pulled the Owls’ Missael Rodriguez down and was shown a straight red. For the second straight match, the Red Wolves would go down to ten men. Into first half stoppage time, Bush punched away Omaha’s final attempt of the half to keep the contest goalless.
Despite heavy pressure from Omaha, the Red Wolves ended the first half even at nil-nil at the end of the first 45 minutes.
The Owls nearly got an opening goal quickly into the second half as Lagos Kunga, who led the home side’s offensive charge through the contest, found a loose rebound in the 50th minute and put the ball into the bottom left corner; however, the goal was immediately called off for offsides, and the match remained without a goal.
One of the few substitutes available, Mayele Malango entered the match in the 55th minute to relieve Chevone Marsh, who had taken several knocks throughout the game. While Union Omaha had the man advantage, the Red Wolves continued to test Nuhu but worked to lock down defensively. Bush sustained his strong play as Omaha began to lead in possession through the first 15 minutes of the second half.
Pedro Hernandez provided Chattanooga’s best chance in the second half with a hard shot in the 72nd minute that was pushed away by Nuhu. Just two minutes later, Hernandez made another run down the field and, looking to pass across to Ropapa Mensah, found the toe of Omaha’s Mechack…