WHAT TO WATCH FOR AND WHAT TO EXPECT
For the first time since the 2023 season opener, the Chattanooga Red Wolves will take on Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC at CHI Memorial Stadium on Saturday, July 8th. The Red Wolves look to continue their unbeaten streak at home, as their last three outings at The Den have seen two draws (3-3 vs. Union Omaha, May 20th; 2-2 vs. Charlotte Independence, June 24th) and one win (2-0 vs. Forward Madison, June 7th). The two clubs will meet for a final time in Colorado for the last regular season match for the Red Wolves.
Chattanooga enters the match coming off of a 2-0 loss on the road to the Richmond Kickers on Saturday, July 1st. The Red Wolves held off the home side through the first 45 minutes and had several solid chances of their own, but were unable to find the back of the net. Three minutes into the second, Richmond scored on a penalty kick from Emiliano Tehrzagi for the 1-0 lead. Chattanooga looked to even the score, but another penalty led to Richmond’s second and final goal of the match from Nil Vinyals for the final 2-0 result.
Northern Colorado Hailstorm extended their unbeaten streak to eight matches on Tuesday, July 4th against Charlotte Independence with a 3-2 comeback win. Charlotte jumped on the board quickly with goals in the 15th and 22nd minutes from Rayan Djedje and Dane Kelly for the first Hailstorm deficit at home in 2023. The home team cut the lead in half with an own goal off of a Charlotte defender in the 38th minute and picked up their second tying goal off a penalty from Trevor Amann. Amann nabbed his second of the match for the game winner in the 70th minute off of a corner for the final tally of the match giving Colorado the 3-2 victory at home.
Fans can enjoy Chillanooga with $4.23 piña coladas (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), margaritas, slushies, and more. The Red Wolves will also be donning the 2023 third kit in this match that will be available for purchase before kickoff.
RED WOLVES ROSTER SLOWLY APPROACHING FULL HEALTH
Following weeks of key players out of commission, the Red Wolves will have more flexibility with their roster going into this week’s match against Northern Colorado. Walter Varela, Christian Enriquez, and Andrew Paoli are all at full strength while Yahir Paez and Richard Rentería have been upgraded to questionable and probable, respectively. Defenders Mekeil Williams and Omar Gomez are also set to return following their one game suspensions following the last home match against Charlotte Independence. Heavy backline presence Manuel Madrid is still out with a hamstring injury and new signing Marios Lomis is under international processing.