The Chattanooga Red Wolves are set to take on North Texas Soccer Club in their third matchup of the season this Saturday on the road. Kickoff is set for 9:00 PM EST, as the Red Wolves will try to improve their unbeaten streak to 3 games. This is yet another key matchup for the Red Wolves, because it provides an opportunity to flip the script on a team that got the better of them in the 2019 season. It is also a chance to hand the defending champions their second loss in a row and it would help to solidify the Red Wolves as a threat to be reckoned within the league. As we head into this matchup, the Red Wolves (1-0-1) sit in 3rd place in the League One standings and 2nd in the Week 3 Power Rankings, while North Texas SC (1-1-0) holds 5th place in both. The Red Wolves will be looking to gain ground on Greenville Triumph and Tormenta FC, who both are ranked ahead of the Red Wolves with a game in hand. In order to keep up the good form for the Red Wolves, there are three key players who will need to continue to step up.
It is no secret that Greg Hurst knows how to get into dangerous positions and score goals. He has three goals on the season in just two games and maintains an extremely impressive conversion rate of 75%. He is tied with Jake Keegan of Greenville Triumph for Top Scorer in the league, and has scored 3 goals on only 4 shots. He is proving to be extremely effective in front of goal, converting nearly every chance he gets. Coach Obleda will surely be looking to get Hurst more chances. It will be an important game for Hurst because it will provide him with the opportunity to separate himself from Jake Keegan of Greenville, as the lone Top Scorer, as well as the chance to increase his scoring streak to three games in a row.
Another key to the match is Red Wolves defender, Leo Folla. Folla orchestrated an incredible defensive effort last weekend in CHI Memorial Stadium, earning him Week 3 Team of the Week honors. Folla has started both games this season and has made himself a huge defensive presence. North Texas SC has a very good attacking side, and Folla’s leadership and organization of the backline will be a huge factor in the outcome of the game. Folla picked up a yellow card in last weekend’s matchup against FC Tucson in what proved to be a very physical game, but he was able to finish out the game without picking up a second and help secure the clean sheet in the inaugural home opener.
Marky Hernandez will be a very important factor in the upcoming match as well, as his speed and creativity make him an exciting player to watch. Hernandez has had a significant role in the attack in recent games, but he will be hoping to get himself on the score sheet this weekend. The Red Wolves will look to create more diversity in the attack this weekend, and hopefully, get some new players on the scoresheet. So far, only Hurst has scored in 2020 for the club, but this weekend will provide the opportunity for other attackers to score and create more attacking scenarios.
It is important that the Chattanooga Red Wolves put forth a strong effort this weekend to pick up an important three points on the road. The Red Wolves started off their season with a strong performance away at Tormenta, but were disappointed to concede a goal against the run of play in the dying moments of the game to draw a game they wanted to win. The Red Wolves will look to not repeat this, and to finish the game strong against the defending champions. The club’s recent acquisition, Tanner Dieterich, is undergoing safety protocols currently and will arrive at training camp on Monday. Dieterich is the Red Wolves’ first MLS transfer and hails from Nashville SC and is a Tennessee native who has represented the U.S. national team at the youth level. He will be a player to watch as he assimilates into our midfield, and the club is excited for what is to come in regards to Dieterich.