Chattanooga, TN. (May 29, 2021) – Coach Obleda and the Red Wolves welcomed fans back to CHI Memorial for the second of a back-to-back home stand Saturday Evening. Chattanooga hosted Richmond and fell behind early in the second half, but a confident and composed second half performance saw Obleda’s men find two goals and 3 points to extend the unbeaten start to the season to four games.
The match kicked off under perfect conditions for soccer as direct competitors in USL League One clashed for an all-important early season three points. Both sides came out looking to make a statement of intent, as the physicality of the match made itself known early and often. The Red Wolves claimed much of the possession in the first half, and their slick passing and patented high intensity press made life extremely difficult for the Kickers. It was a night where the intensity of the match could be felt throughout the stadium, and both sides would be happy with their first half performance. The opportunity of the first half finally broke the Red Wolves’ way in the 39th minute as Jimmie Villalobos was a centimeter away from connecting on a beautiful cross from Blake Frischknecht that rolled all the way through the six-yard box.
After creating plenty of good chances and dictating the pace of the game, Obleda’s squad would hope to come out in the second half and do more of the same. However, a gut punch in the form of a Kicker’s goal would come in the 46th minute, setting the tone for the second half. However, the Red Wolves have shown moment after moment so far this season that they thrive under adversity, and Saturday night was no different. The equalizer would come just minutes later, as long throw wizard Jonathan Esparza found the foot of Carrera-Garcia who then beat Kickers keeper Akira Fitzgerald with a volley across the goal to Ricky Ruiz, who put it away.
As the second half went on, it looked as if the match could go either way as the intensity heightened and the sunset over the 1,752 supporters at CHI Memorial Stadium. Manager Jimmy Obleda had other plans however, showing his on-the-fly tactical prowess by once again making a game changing substitution. Juan Galindrez was introduced for Blake Frischknecht whose play troubled the Kickers all night long, and his introduction would be rewarded. Minutes after the change Galindrez took his chance, a beautiful free kick whipped in by Marky Hernandez fell in the box, and Galindrez finished coolly past veteran goalkeeper Fitzgerald to tally his first goal in USL League One and put the Red Wolves in the lead for good. Another dramatic three points at home for the Red Wolves extended the unbeaten start to the season to four games and moved them up into a three-way tie for second place in the table only 3 points behind first place Greenville with a game in hand.
Several Red Wolves players were given USL Team of the Week nods as well, with captain Jose Carrera-Garcia and early season standout Ricky Ruiz receiving honors. Coach Obleda praised his team’s performance postgame saying, “I’m just really happy for the guys, today was an important day. We couldn’t be happier with the result obviously, playing against a good Richmond team and to continue to do what the team is doing, we are over the moon.” With the side playing for their teammates and supporters, the manager emphasized the team’s pride, “I think the resilience of the group and their fight comes from what they represent and how proud they are to represent this club, this city.” The squad has prided themselves on their fightback and determination and showed once again on Saturday that CHI Memorial Stadium will be a fortress this season and beyond.
The Red Wolves look to extend their unbeaten start to the campaign to five games on Saturday, June 6 at 8 PM EST as the squad travels to Statesboro, GA to take on Tormenta FC.
