Chattanooga FC drew 2-2 with Huntsville City FC in the club's first-ever match in MLS NEXT Pro and won on penalties afterwards to secure an extra point in front of 4,378 fans at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The historic moment came in the 40th minute when Taylor Gray scored the club's first goal in its history in MLS NEXT Pro. Gray showed a neat piece of skill, lofting the ball past his marker before guiding in a shot with his left foot into the bottom corner.
The first half was an overall even and competitive encounter with both sides creating chances on goal.
Huntsville City equalized right after half-time through Adem Sipic, who poked in from close-range.
Captain Alex McGrath restored CFC's lead from the penalty spot late on after Mehdi Ouamri was brought down by Ben Martino. However, Ollie Wright brought Huntsville back level with a curling effort.
The match finished 2-2 in regulation, but it was Chattanooga that won the penalty shootout and secured two points in the club's historic debut.
Chattanooga FC had seven players make their regular season debut for the club: Logan Brown, Jesse Williams, Andres Jimenez Aranzazu, Milo Garvanian, Callum Watson, Mehdi Ouamri and Duvan Viafara
Alex McGrath captained the side for the first time in MLS NEXT Pro and scored from the penalty spot late in regulation
Taylor Gray scored the first goal in CFC's MLS NEXT Pro history.
Logan Brown and Mehdi Ouamri recorded their first assists of the season
Chattanooga FC will host Miami United FC in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, March 19 at 6:00 p.m. ET at Finley Stadium. Tickets for the match can be purchased here.
Box Score:
Chattanooga FC (0W-0L-1D, 1SOW, 2 pts.) - Huntsville City FC (0W-0L-1D, 0SOW, 1 pt.)
Finley Stadium | Chattanooga, Tenn.
Final Score:
CFC: 2
HCFC: 2
Chattanooga FC wins extra point via shootout 3-2
Scoring Summary:
CFC: Taylor Gray (A: Logan Brown) 40’
HCFC: Adem Sipic 47’
CFC: Alex McGrath (Pen.) 84’
HCFC: Ollie Wright (A: Maximus Ekk) 88’