The mid-table matchup between the Chattanooga Red Wolves and Fort Lauderdale CF on Saturday night ended with the score level at 1-1, as neither side was able to secure the 3 points. Chattanooga had to make some adjustments to their starting 11, as they were missing some key goal scorers from last week’s 4-0 shutout win, with the League’s leading scorer Greg Hurst and Player of the Week Marky Hernandez not playing after picking up an injury during the week. Ronaldo Pineda stepped up to the challenge and picked up his second start and second assist of the season.
The Red Wolves came out fast from the opening whistle, putting on pressure and forcing Ft. Lauderdale to do some defending early on. Chattanooga was able to create some good looks early on, including a couple shots from outside the box to test the keeper early from Ricardo Zacarias. The Red Wolves kept high pressing and forced multiple turnovers in the opponents defending half which led to a handful of corner kick opportunities. Chattanooga was knocking at the door, with perhaps the best effort coming from Conor Doyle. Ualefi dispossessed a Ft. Lauderdale midfielder and made a dangerous attacking run down the right flank. Ualefi whipped in a cross to the head of Conor Doyle in the 18th minute which unfortunately found the crossbar.
All early momentum was temporarily shifted when Ft. Lauderdale was able to convert a chance in the 25th minute to open the scoring 1-0. The goal came off of a Ft. Lauderdale short corner, which was then sent into the box. The ball took an unlucky deflection and skipped past Alex Mangels, finding the back of the net on the far post. The early goal seemed to give Ft. Lauderdale momentum, which was not in their favor during the Red Wolves’ high pressed defensive start. The remainder of the first half was evenly matched with multiple chances coming for each team, with 15-year-old Valencia of Ft. Lauderdale, the youngest goalscorer in USL history as of last week, striking the crossbar and creating dangerous chances. The Red Wolves were able to bring the score level just before the half mark in the 41st minute off of a beautiful goal scored by Ualefi. The goal came after Ronaldo Pineda collected the ball out on the wing, taking a few positive touches before sending in a dangerous low driven ball through the middle just missing the crashing run of Conor Doyle, but finding Ualefi all alone just inside the top of the box. Ualefi hammered it home with the first time strike from the Brazilian, who made no mistake and picked up his first goal of the season with authority.
The 1-1 halftime score did not change for the remainder of the game, and both teams had to settle for a point. The second half slowed down, as stamina was likely a factor in the Florida heat. Although Ft. Lauderdale held the majority of possession, edging out the Red Wolves with the 60% to 40% advantage, the Red Wolves were much more dangerous going forward and in their build-up play. Chattanooga took 8 shots with half of them being on target while holding Ft. Lauderdale to 2 shots with none being on frame. The match ended all square in Inter Miami CF Stadium, and the Red Wolves will be back in action and ready to make up the points at New England Revolution II once again on Wednesday, at 7:00 PM EST. Make sure to tune in to watch your Chattanooga Red Wolves on ESPN+, or follow along on twitter @ChattRedWolves.
