The Red Wolves come home to CHI Memorial Stadium on Saturday for a rematch against FC Tucson. After a thrilling end to end game at Kino North Stadium, Obleda and company found a late winner through Juan Galindrez and came back from the match with three points. It is a pattern that has repeated itself match after match, success coming through last minute goals. The cardiac Red Wolves have lived up to their name, and their resilient nature and intense, high pressing play style now has them contending at the top of the USL League One table.
A tough test away at Union Omaha saw Assistant Coach Kevin Sawchak lead the way due to a red card suspension for Manager Jimmy Obleda. After a frustrating 90 minutes that saw the Red Wolves go inches away from scoring on more than one occasion, substitute Marky Hernandez came up with the goods once again to secure a vital road point against an Omaha side who sits top of the table. Goalkeeper Tim Trilk made his professional debut and had a relatively quiet evening commanding the 18-yard box and keeping the backline organized.
Speaking on his professional debut, Trilk said, “It felt unbelievable! Chattanooga has been amazing to me and to finally step out on the field and represent this club was a special moment I will always cherish.” With Trilk’s help, The Red Wolves put in a sterling defensive performance, limiting Union Omaha to very few good opportunities at goal, a feat they will hope to recreate against visiting FC Tucson.
The Red Wolves will meet a new look FC Tucson Saturday night following the parting of ways with manager John Galas. Jon Pearlman has returned to take the reins once again as manager of the club, picking up the same managerial position he held in the 2016-17 campaign boasting a stellar record of 18-7-3. His second stint in the desert started with a highly promising 2-1 win at home against Fort Lauderdale CF, stopping a skid of 4 consecutive matches without a win.
Pearlman will look to the likes of Deri Corfe and Giovanni Calixtro, Corfe leading the line with 3 goals and Calixtro serving as the team’s leading set-up man with 4 assists. The Red Wolves will look to contain Tucson’s playmakers, including Charlie Dennis who scored a beautiful combination of long-range goals to bag a brace the last time these 2 sides faced off.
Another standout performance in the early campaign for visiting FC Tucson is goalkeeper Wallis Lapsley, who leads USL League one with a remarkable 38 saves through 10 games. The Red Wolves will look to beat the sure handed goalkeeper and be on the offensive against the second lowest scoring side in USL League One Fc Tucson, who continue to look for inspiration after a poor start to the season.
With a win Saturday evening the Red Wolves can vault themselves within a point of first place in the USL League One table following two well-earned points against first and second place Union Omaha and Greenville Triumph. After the match against Union Omaha, Assistant Coach Kevin Sawchak called the squad, “Mental giants,” and that big game mentality and resilience has paid dividends with early season success that the club looks to turn into Silverware by the end.
On game night, kickoff between the Red Wolves and FC Tucson is slated for 7 PM EST Saturday night, but festivities will begin at 5:45 PM. It is happy hour at CHI Memorial from 5:45-6:45 PM, with all beers buy 1 get 1 free. The festivities lead up to the 10th match of the season, as the Red Wolves look to remain unbeaten at CHI Memorial Stadium to begin the campaign.
