The Chattanooga Red Wolves returned to action at CHI Memorial Stadium Saturday night against the Richmond Kickers. After going down 1-0 just before halftime, the Red Wolves roared back to pick up three points at home for a 3-2 final result. This match, featuring goals from Ropapa Mensah, Richard Rentería, and Chevone Marsh, was the final meeting between the two clubs in 2023 and the 16th point picked up by the Red Wolves from a losing position. The match also marked the first home appearance for Marios Lomis and interim head coach, Scott Mackenzie.
Lomis’ presence was felt early as the Red Wolves looked to establish an offensive press through the opening minutes. Richmond was aggressive on the offensive side of the ball as well, testing the Chattanooga defense and goalkeeper Carlos Avilez early with a handful of corner kicks and free kicks through the first 20 minutes. Christian Enriquez, back in the lineup since being out with foot and knee injuries for nearly two months, also provided an offensive spark in the first half, collecting the Red Wolves’ first shot and creating chances through the middle.
Possession stayed fairly even in the first half, with Richmond edging Chattanooga out slightly, 50.9% to 49.1%, also leading slightly in shots, 5-2. The Kickers eventually broke through just before halftime with a goal from Matt Bentley, assisted by Emiliano Terzaghi, to take a 1-0 lead into the second half.
Richmond extended their lead to two in the early minutes of the second half with a tally from Sierakowski in the 48th minute, but the Red Wolves would respond just ten minutes later to cut the Kickers lead in half with Ropapa Mensah’s sixth goal of the season. The Red Wolves carried the momentum through the subsequent minutes, keeping play in the middle of the field while looking to break into their offensive end.
Chattanooga found their equalizer in the 71st minute as Rentería took advantage of his own rebound off the crossbar to head the ball past the Richmond goalkeeper. The Red Wolves sustained offensive pressure in the subsequent minutes with Lomis collecting a shot that was blocked.
Shortly after entering the match for Mensah, Chevone Marsh notched the go ahead goal in the 77th minute, his eighth of the season, assisted by Ualefi to give the Red Wolves the lead. Avilez held strong in the net as Richmond clamored through stoppage time to force a draw, and the Red Wolves were able to hold off the Kickers through the final whistle.
“I saw a whole lot of heart and character, resilience,” said interim coach, Scott Mackenzie. These are things that we talk about. We want to build an identity as a club that is hard to beat. I think they’ve shown that way before me.”
“It’s more of a collective effort,” said Chevone Marsh. “The guys dug deep today and it really paid off in the last one.”
The Red Wolves’ next two matches will be on the road against Union Omaha on Saturday, August 19th followed by Greenville Triumph SC on Wednesday, August 23rd. They will return home on August 26th to face South Georgia Tormenta FC.