Red Wolves Shutout Alta to Earn 1-0 Win

Goalkeeper Jason Smith put in a man-of-the-match performance. Image credit - Chattanooga Red Wolves SC Communications

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EAST RIDGE, Tn. — Ghanaian striker Ropapa Mensah made history on Wednesday night, becoming the joint-top goalscorer in Red Wolves history. The 28-year-old’s strike in the 17th minute meant he now joins Juan Galindrez on 24 goals.

That one strike wasn’t the only thing that proved the difference between the Red Wolves and their visitors AV Alta. Home goalkeeper Jason Smith made four saves and five recoveries in a man-of-the-match performance that saw him achieve his fourth shutout on the season. He, and his excellent defense were instrumental in keeping out Alta’s 24 shots (four on target). Dangerous Alta hitman Jerry Desdunes, himself excellent on Wednesday, was limited to shots from outside the box.

There was some luck in the mix for the Red Wolves too. A shot from Desdunes hit the bar just before halftime. The contrasting approaches of the two teams, something promised by CRW Head Coach Scott Mackenzie before the game, was on show as the visitors saw a whopping 79% of possession. Shots that flew in from Desdunes, Kaloyan Pehlivanov, Adam Aoumaich, Cesar Bahena, and Santi Higareda were held off by a steel rearguard from Jordan Ayimbila, Tobi Adewole, and Wynand Wessels with Smith as their anchor.

Mackenzie’s opposite number Brian Kleiban was getting some torrential and comical abuse from the fans behind his dugout as he attempted to unlock his hosts. It was not to be, however, as Mensah scored his goal against the run of play in the Red Wolves’ first real chance of the game.

He was forced off with a head injury about twenty minutes later, replaced by talented English forward Matt Bentley. As the game edged toward completion, proceedings became sloppy and were marred by a string of fouls and stoppages. 27 fouls were committed in total, with four yellow cards issued. Kleiban was lucky not to be issued one himself after several expletive laden outbursts.

Exciting winger Nathan Donoho came on for the final fifteen minutes. It was his sixth appearance for the Red Wolves and, having seen the 21-year-old up close in UPSL action for their second team, I’m excited to see his progress continue.

A good win for the Red Wolves. The under-siege and smash-and-grab nature of it was reminiscent of their finer form in 2025. They move up to 9th and pay a visit to Charlotte Independence this weekend. Alta slips to 5th and remains in Tennessee for a trip up the road to Knoxville.

Box Score

Chattanooga Red Wolves SC v AV Alta FC

USL League One

Venue: CHI Memorial Stadium | East Ridge, TN

Attendance: 1,322

Final Score: Red Wolves 1-0 Alta

Referee: Amin Hadzic

Scoring Summary:

17’: R. Mensah (CRW)

Discipline:

45+1’: A. Kelly-Rosales (CRW) - yellow

54’: K. Pehlivanov (AVA) - yellow

61’: G. Mercer (CRW) - yellow

81’: J. Ayimbila (CRW) - yellow

Man of the Match: Jason Smith (CRW) - made a string of great saves to deny the visitors, particularly Desdunes. Always looks so composed and clearly has the confidence of his defenders, something he’s earned. A brilliant goalkeeper well capable of stepping up to a higher level.

Line-ups: 

Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (4-4-2): Jason Smith; Jordan Ayimbila, Tobi Adewole (Christian Engmann 71’), Eric Kinzner, Josh Ramos; Omar Hernández, Angelo Kelly-Rosales (Nathan Donoho 76’), Wynand Wessels (Omar Gómez 71’), Pedro Hernández (C) (Aaron Lombardi 60’); Greyson Mercer (Yanis Lelin 71’), Ropapa Mensah (Matt Bentley 39’)

Substitutes not used: Ricardo Jérez

Head Coach: Scott Mackenzie

AV Alta FC (4-2-3-1): Denzil Smith; Alfredo Ortiz (Nicholas Relerford 88’), Erick Ceja, Kaloyan Pehlivanov, Christian Ortiz (Steven Ramos 83’); Jimmie Villalobos (C), Osvaldo Lay (Renden Thomas 67’); Adam Aoumaich, Cesar Bahena Jr, Santiago Higareda (Ilias Aoumaich 67’); Jerry Desdunes

Substitutes not used: Erick Gonzalez, Mathias Winum, Miguel Ibarra

Head Coach: Brian Keliban

Next Games

• Saturday 18 July, 19:00 (ET): Charlotte Independence v Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, American Legion Memorial Stadium, NC (USL League One)

• Saturday 18 July, 19:30 (ET): One Knoxville SC v AV Alta FC, Covenant Health Stadium, Knoxville, TN (USL League One)

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