The Chattanooga Red Wolves traveled to Wisconsin on Wednesday to take on Forward Madison FC for the second time this season. After nearly 90 minutes of intense offense from Madison, the Flamingos grabbed a late tally in the 89th minute for the 1-0 final. Chattanooga will host the third and final meeting at CHI Memorial Stadium on September 2nd.
Defense ruled the first half as the Red Wolves sustained heavy pressure from Forward Madison with 11 shots through the opening 45 minutes. Goalkeeper Carlos Avilez kept the match even at nil-nil in the 31st minute with a thrilling save sequence while a free kick for the home side went over the crossbar in stoppage time. Newcomer Jonny Filipe provided the majority of the Red Wolves’ offensive chances in the first half with a free kick in the ninth minute that was sent just wide of the net.
The second half began in similar fashion as Forward Madison continued to press aggressively. Avilez showed out again with two back-to-back saves off a head-on shot from Jacob Crull in the 55th minute followed up by a save on a corner kick attempt. The physicality of the match came to a head in the 67th minute as things got heated between Manuel Madrid and Jaynen Onen–both teams exited the scrap with just a yellow card apiece.
Chattanooga tried to fashion a press of their own, subbing in Ropapa Mensah, Omar Gomez, and former Flamingo Christian Enriquez. The majority of the action, however, remained in the Red Wolves’ defensive end as Avilez expended maximum effort to keep his squad in the match. Madison ultimately broke through in the 89th minute with a goal from Stephen Payne, the only tally of the match. Chattanooga pulled out a burst of offense in stoppage time but could not come up with a late equalizer for a draw.
The Red Wolves turn their focus to this Saturday’s match against the Richmond Kickers before their next match on the road against Union Omaha.