MLS Next Pro: Huntsville City draws Chattanooga FC 2-2 in home opener, wins shootout
- Ronan Briscoe
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
As the first team up in Nashville was wrapping up a demolition job, Huntsville City FC welcomed in regional rivals Chattanooga FC for the Alabama side’s home opener for the 2026 campaign.
Head coach Chris O’Neal continued to make small alterations to his starting lineup as he searches for the best balance to a side that’s been very inconsistent to start the year. Leo Christiano returned to a centerback position alongside Zach Barrett after spending the last game at left back. Moises Veliz got the start at right back, showing the Panamanian’s versatility.
Jordan Knight got the start alongside Shak Mohammed and Maximus Ekk on the front line as well, and Chattanooga also featured two familiar faces in their starting lineup as Isaiah Jones and Damien Barker-John were given the nod for the visitors. This tweaked lineup from the hosts would provide the game’s opener in the 15th minute as Mohammed dribbled through traffic in the box and shot through a crowd of legs to sneak one past Chattanooga’s Eldin Jakupovic.
In the 37th, Maximus Ekk would double the hosts’ advantage after some great chance creation by Malachi Molina. However, Alex Krehl would get one back for the visitors in first half stoppage time. This proved a sign of things to come, as Chattanooga turned up the pressure throughout the second half, culminating in a 77th minute penalty that was converted by Tate Robertson.
It was Huntsville who grabbed the best chances late, but neither side could find a third, and we were sent to a penalty shootout. Two saves from Will Mackay on the penalty attempts of Chattanooga’s Robertson and Alex McGrath were the difference as Huntsville grabbed the extra point following a 4-2 shootout win.
For Huntsville, all of Charles-Emile Brunet, Shak Mohammed, Kessy Coulibaly and Nicklaus Sullivan converted from the spot, if keeping track of that is something that interests you.
This puts Huntsville on five points following an up-and-down start to the year, and should give the Alabama side confidence moving into a bit of a break before a meeting with Chicago Fire 2 on April 11th.
As mentioned, Huntsville has had a very inconsistent start, with a 3-1 win over Orlando City B on Opening Day, followed by back-to-back drubbings at the hands of Crown Legacy (7-2) and Atlanta United 2 (4-1) respectively. On some days this team looks like a playoff caliber unit, and on others it looks like it requires a lot of work to get to the playoffs.
The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle, and long-term answers at the back are key to finding the best version of this team. The Opening Day injury to Chris Applewhite, of course, did little to help Huntsville’s defense. The midfield appears to be beginning to turn a corner, but of course it’s early. The attack, when it’s been fed chances, looks as advertised especially when Mohammed and Ekk are on the field together.
Two weeks off will do this team good, and allow O’Neil and co. to find more answers in situations where points aren’t on the line.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PREMIER MEDIA GROUP / NATIONAL SOCCER NETWORK /
NATIONAL SOCCER NETWORK ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561215500230
— All Rights Reserved, Premier Media Group / National Soccer Network
Comments