WHAT TO WATCH FOR AND WHAT TO EXPECT
Coming off of a 1-1 draw against Central Valley Fuego FC, the Red Wolves head to Wisconsin to take on Forward Madison FC on Wednesday, August 9th. The Red Wolves won the first match between the clubs on June 7th in a 2-0 victory at home. Forward Madison travels again to CHI Memorial Stadium on Saturday, September 2nd for the series finale.
The Red Wolves enter the match with a quick turnaround between matches having recently traveled to Fresno, California to take on Central Valley Fuego FC on Saturday, August 5th. After a slow first half for the Red Wolves, including an own goal in the 31st minute, and a stronger second, the Red Wolves were able to snag a point in stoppage time with Ropapa Mensah’s fifth goal of the season in the 91st minute, assisted by Mayele Malango. This marks the 9th goal scored in the last 15 minutes of a match as well as the 13th point that Chattanooga has picked up from a losing position. The Red Wolves are also currently on a five-match scoring streak and have secured points in two consecutive road games.
Forward Madison FC most recently faced Richmond Kickers on the road in Virginia on August 5th with a 2-1 final result for the Flamingos. They carried a 1-0 lead into halftime after a back and forth opening 45 minutes with a goal from Nazeem Bartman. They picked up their second goal of the match in the 74th minute from Jayden Onen, his first of the year. Richmond avoided the shutout at home with a successful penalty kick in the 87th minute, but could not come up with a second tally, leaving Madison with the road win.
The Chattanooga Red Wolves will play again at CHI Memorial Stadium on Saturday, August 12th to round out the set of three matches in one week against Richmond before heading on the road once more to face Union Omaha on August 19th.
INJURY UPDATE
The Red Wolves roster is mostly back to full health, excepting longer term injuries to Alex Tejera (meniscus) and Moe Espinoza (groin). Aarón Lombardi joins the list of injuries after two concerning knocks to the head in their most recent match against Fuego FC and will be out with a concussion. Christian Enriquez, out since July 8th with a knee injury, will be available for selection.
Marios Lomis played his first minutes for the Red Wolves on August 5th and will look to get settled into the Red Wolves lineup, in addition to Jonny Filipe on loan from Hartford Athletic.
