CHATTANOOGA CHALLENGE:Match Preview: Cleveland United FC v Tango FC
- Phillip Farrell
- 6 hours ago
- 7 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
Game Details
Match: Cleveland United FC v Tango FC
Date: Saturday, February 21st, 2026. 4:00 PM (Eastern)
Venue: Bear Stadium, Cleveland, TN. Capacity: 7,000
How to watch: https://www.nationalsoccernetwork.tv/events/details/chattanooga-challenge-cleveland-united-fc-vs-tango-fc/1042
Tickets: $5, visit: http://tickets.clevelandutdfc.com/
CLEVELAND, TN —— Cleveland United FC take to the field at home for the first time in its history on Saturday when they welcome Tango FC to Bear Stadium in the Chattanooga Challenge.
Kicking off at 4pm, the game sees Cleveland and Tango, both defeated by Scenic City, battle it out for second-place in Group A. But there’s more to play for here than bragging rights. For Cleveland, the game serves as their first ever home match, a chance for the people of Bradley County to come out and support their team and a big step in the young club’s journey. Proceeds from the game will also be going toward City Fields, a local nonprofit collaborates with historically overlooked and underserved communities on workforce development, housing, neighborhood engagement, and community garden planting.
For both clubs on the field, it’s about continuing their preparation toward the UPSL regular season which kicks off next month.
Cleveland United FC
Last time out, Cleveland fell 3-2 in a competitive affair away to Premier Division side Scenic City SC. A brace from the club’s first announced signing Stone Davies wasn’t enough as Scenic City demonstrated their experience and higher-division status by coming back in the second half and getting the win.
It was a hugely impressive performance from Cleveland however, as they demonstrated that they’re more than capable of competing against some of the best teams in UPSL. A large crowd of fans had travelled to the game too, creating expectations of a good turnout this Saturday.
Saturday’s match will mark the occasion of Cleveland United’s first ever home game. The founding of the club was announced last October and they will compete in the USL Division One this Spring. I caught up with Head Coach Adam Christensen to talk about Saturday’s game.
How are you feeling going into the club’s first ever home game?
Feeling good! I feel optimistic, I feel confident. Have some guys who weren’t at the last game who will be here. We will be in a much better spot than in the last game.
Were there any major lessons you took or changes you’re looking to make from the defeat at Scenic City?
Not too many changes in terms of what we’ll look to do. It’s about the guys continuing to learn to play with each other. When you first join a group, it can be hard to understand how to work and play together. But, you build relationships and connections, keep getting better and better. We did well in the first half offensively against Scenic City. I’m hoping we put two good halves together this weekend. If that goes well, we’ll look like one of the best teams in the league and if it doesn’t, we’ll concede goals.
Looking back at Stone Davies’ brace against Scenic City. You must have been thrilled to see him hit the ground running so fast?
Yes! I knew he could do it. If he hadn’t, I’d be disappointed. That’s the level he’s at and most of the guys are at. Even the guys who set him up. Those chances came about because we’ve got guys trying to create and make stuff happen. Stone was where he needed to be.
You recently announced the signings of José Daniel Heredia, Ryan Prince Chouyouti, and Will Hicks. Should fans be expecting to see them and Davies play on Saturday?
Yes, we should have our full squad available. I’m excited.
Did you manage to catch Tango’s loss to Scenic City last weekend? What are you expecting from them?
It’s pre-season. All I can go of is what they showed against Scenic City. There’s stuff we’re looking at and wanna exploit.
How has the tournament been going so far in terms of prep for the UPSL regular season?
I think that any time we’re able to get guys on a field against real competition, that’s a good thing. We’re a new club, on a new field with a training situation being figured out. There are two approaches available to us. We could just wait for it all to happen. Or we can go on the rollercoaster of a start-up. Every day, we’re not certain what will happen, but we make the best of it. It feels a little scary every single day when you start something new. I feel good about it.
What are you hoping to see in the stands on Saturday?
I love the fact that we had so many fans at the Scenic City game who travelled 45 minutes to see us. Now we’re at home, I’m hoping that we’ll see even more than who travelled last time out. I heard some people talk about how impressed they were with the quality of what we did against Scenic City. This Saturday, more can come to see that quality and improvement.
I also spoke with co-Founder Albert Murza ahead of the game, to find out how things have been going behind the scenes as they brace for their home debut.
As he continues to settle into the role, Fosuhene emphasized that building trust and culture will be central to the team’s growth.
“My job is development,” he said. “That starts with building camaraderie, building good spirit, and creating a strong culture around the group.”
Albert, we spoke before the Scenic City game about your vision for the club coming to life. But this Saturday you get to finally host at home, and offer the people of Cleveland a soccer team of their own. Can you tell me your feelings as we edge closer to the game?
I’m as excited as can be, and a little nervous. It’s pre-season, so on the one hand we wanna develop still but at the same time, we need to perform well.
Bear Stadium looks a great venue. How did that come about?
We were able to get in contact with the Athletic Director form Bradley-Central High School who was very excited about the idea. The Athletic Director introduced us to the Principal who as a background in athletics and saw the importance of this project. So, we negotiated and signed an agreement for the whole season. It’s great to finally have our home. We’ll even have locker rooms, which is great for this league. It’s a great stadium. Of course, it’s a football stadium, as most high school stadiums are, but its turf. It can seat up to 6,800 fans and it’s in the center of Cleveland. Most clubs don’t have that.
What can fans coming to the game expect? Apart from the soccer, what will be on offer (merch, concessions, etc.)?
Yes, we will have merchandise. There won’t be food trucks at this game because, with a 4pm kick off, people probably won’t want dinner. There’ll be no alcohol as it’s a high school facility. City Fields will have a booth set up which is wonderful, so that people can visit them and learn more about them. As well as raising funds for City Fields, the game is an opportunity for them to make connections.
Tell me more about the promotions at the game.
Well, we’ve got great sponsors. Because of them, we can say that, regardless of the score, our fans always win. If we win, fans will get a certificate for a free entrée at Dos Bos. If we draw, fans will get a certificate for one breakfast at Golden Yolk. And even if we lose, they will get a certificate for one free frozen yogurt at Orange Leaf. As long as fans come and check in, they will receive a certificate. Not only can they help support a great local non-profit but they can go home with something too.
I assume Saturday offers a sort of dress-rehearsal for the opening league game this Spring?
Yeah, this is what we’re looking for. Tango is a Premier Division team. Every team we play is stronger than what we’re supposed to expect in our discussion. We’ll be striving for the win. The main goal is to see what works.
Do you have a message for the people of Cleveland to entice them to come on Saturday?
If you love soccer, there’s no better place to be than Bear Stadium on Saturday at 4pm. Come, enjoy the game. Enjoy your club from your community. Help a local nonprofit. You’re gonna win something as well, no matter the result. Everyone wins something.
Tango FC
Tango comes into the game following a 5-1 defeat at home against Scenic City last weekend. After going down after only five minutes of play, Max Dihen calmly converted an equalizing penalty. Despite Scenic City’s dominance, Tango goalkeeper Azrael Phillips made several crucial saves to keep his side in the game. However, in the second half, as they’d done against Cleveland, Scenic City shifted into gear and demonstrate their experience and quality. After they went 2-1 up early in the half, Phillips, otherwise brilliant on the night, made a mistake by passing the ball directly into the patch of a Scenic City attacker to make it 3-1. They would go on to score another two on a difficult night for Tango’s defenders.
Prediction
Saturday’s game will therefore be interesting to see both Cleveland and Tango, who started strong in their respective bouts with Scenic City, battle it out and attempt to play strongly for two halves.
I’m going for a Cleveland win, 2-1. Especially if they get a good home crowd to spur them on, I think Cleveland appears to have the quality to take the game.
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