Soccer took over my heart. I haven’t looked back since.
- Philip Farrell
- 2 days ago
- 11 min read
Updated: 1 hour ago
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
CHATTANOOGA, TN --- It’s been quite a season for Chattanooga Football Club. The organization has broken a recent summer hex as well as smashed records. In the past few months, the club named Richard Dixon as its new full-time Head Coach rewarding him for excellent form during his interim oversight, inducted Juan Hernandez into its Hall of Legends, saw Alex Krehl break the club record for goals in a single MLS NEXT Pro season (currently on 17), earned its longest unbeaten run in the MLS NEXT Pro era, and pulled a record regular season crowd of 6,107. With three games to play in the regular season and a probable home playoff on the horizon, there’s enormously positive vibes coming out of Finley Stadium as we enter Fall.
In the midst of all this is the form of one Tate Robertson. The 29-year-old is in his second spell at the club and experiencing arguably the finest form of his career. With eight goals and nine assists (3rd highest in the league) in his 24 games, it’s hard to over-emphasize Robertson’s contribution to the club’s second place position. Not that this is anything new. Last season, after his return from two years elsewhere, the Springfield, Ohio native notched 19 goal contributions (nine goals and 10 assists), leading the club in both categories, and was selected to the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Best XI. At the time of writing, he’s well positioned to surpass those numbers in 2026.
With the current Chattanooga setup there is a galvanizing backbone running through the squad on, and off, the field. Starting with veteran goalkeeper Eldin Jakupović, it courses through the ever-reliable center-back Farid Sar-Sar, up through captain and talisman Alex McGrath, and spearheaded by breakout star Alex Krehl in attack. It’s a high-performance and competitive group that demands and produces the most from the players surrounding it. And right in the center of it, pulling the creative strings, is Tate Robertson.
Recently, I sat with Robertson in Chattanooga FC’s impressive new club headquarters to chat about the season so far, his career in soccer, life in the Scenic City, and his teammates.
Tate, how has the season been going so far for the team and for you personally?
ROBERTSON: Good. We’re right where we want to be. We’re into the final stretch now and at this point in the season, every game is a final. The idea is not to lose until the Final. For me, personally, I’m playing in a different position, mainly midfield, some defensive mid in some games. So, my role has changed a little bit. Last year I was fullback, which is quote, unquote “defense”. But the way I play, I like to get up and down the pitch, score goals, cross the ball, kind of old school. And yeah, I’ve chipped in with a few goals, a few assists. We have some really strong attackers this year, so I think my offensive output doesn’t have to be as much as it was last season. Now I’m in midfield, but honestly, I’ll play wherever the team needs me. As long as the team is winning and I can contribute, whether in attack or defense, I’m happy.
In late July, Robertson recorded his 25th assist for Chattanooga FC, surpassing the previous record of 24 held by club legend Juan Hernandez.
Tell me about breaking Juan Hernandez’s record.
ROBERTSON: Juan is a great friend so it’s a bit upsetting to pass him. But I don’t think of these records at all. I want to score goals, get assists, and win games. Right now, the team is in a great spot, that’s the number one priority. To lead the club in assists and pass Juan, a club legend; I didn’t set out for that, but it’s happened. Now that it has, I want to put it out of reach, for sure.
You’re from Springfield, Ohio. Big soccer town?
ROBERTSON: No, not really. I’ve always had a ball at my feet though, for as long as I can remember. I played all the sports as a kid, as you do until you find one you really like. For me, it was tennis or soccer. I was really big into tennis, had a coach and all that, I was pretty decent. But soccer took over my heart, and I haven’t looked back since. I wanted soccer to be my job; I’ve wanted that for the greater part of twenty years. Even growing up, I wanted to get paid to play the sport. Fortunately, I have and at whatever level of the sport that has been; it’s been awesome.
Was there an idol that you had growing up that would have influenced the way you play?
ROBERTSON: My favorite player growing up was [Didier] Drogba. I don’t play like him at all. Chelsea is my favorite team, so I’ve always been drawn to Drogba.
I looked at your high school record; you scored a lot of goals. Were you a striker back then?
ROBERTSON: Yeah, I was. Well, growing up I was more of a number 10. High school, I was a forward, out-and-out. My club coach Dan Greist, one of my favorite people, one of my mentors, took me in when I joined his club team [Ohio Galaxy] at 14 and gave me a license and a free role in an attacking midfield position. It was really successful, and I owe a lot of the creativity and flair that I have crossing the ball, my vision for the game – I owe a lot of that to him. He gave me the confidence to try random stuff in games.
That brings us nicely onto talking about those who have influenced your game. Who have they been?
ROBERTSON: You know, I’ve been fortunate enough to play under some really great coaches. Todd Ramey and Brad Woods are similar guys to Dan. They gave me license to be myself and do what I can for the team. And then my college coach Eric Nichols influenced me more on the mentality side and made me a good defender. Previously, I didn’t want to defend, I just wanted to attack and score goals. The teams I had been on had really good defenders that allowed me to avoid doing the grunt work. College came around though, and Eric was like “If you wanna play, you’re doing the grunt work”. I also had a coach growing up, Latif, Ghanian guy. He’s amazing. I learned a ton of him from 12 to16. I’m 29 now and I still go back to him.
I think the blend of my youth and college coaching made me the player I am right now.
Robertson played four years of college soccer at Bowling Green University between 2015 and 2018, scoring eight goals and tallying 22 assists in 71 appearances.
What made you choose Bowling Green?
ROBERTSON: You know, I had some big schools in the pipeline. I wanted to play right away. Bowling Green didn’t guarantee that, but I felt if I went there, I could make a bigger impact right away. I started my first college game as a freshman and never looked back. I think I started all but one in my four years. I played midfield, forward - where the team needed me… We played 3-5-2 and I eventually found myself as a wingback. That’s more or less where I found that role - I could roam the wings, I had the engine to get up and down thanks to Nichols, I began crossing the ball and helping create goals.
During and after college, Robertson also appeared for USL PDL (now League Two) side Dayton Dutch Lions during their 2018 and 2019 seasons (24 apps, 8 goals). During 2018, he was named in the USL PDL Best XI. In September 2019, Robertson signed for National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) side Stumptown Athletic ahead of the league's inaugural season. He made six appearances (scoring one goal) in a season that was affected by the outbreak of COVID-19 in early 2020.
Was the jump to professional soccer a big one?
ROBERTSON: I don’t want to say a big jump, I don’t think so. Especially coming out of college how we trained every day. We had difficult sessions with weights and running sessions - it was a blast, but it was tough. It made the transition to pro seamless.
In January 2021, he signed with Stumptown’s NISA rivals Chattanooga FC ahead of the Spring 2021 season.
You first joined CFC five-and-a-half years ago. Can you remember how that move came about?
ROBERTSON: Stumptown is in Charlotte, a big city. At that time, I thought I liked the big city stuff. So, when I first got here it was slower, it was smaller. I wasn’t too sure if I liked that. The soccer was good. The move came about when I participated in an ID camp where CFC saw me. I played well and they signed me. This city is awesome. I definitely like the slower life now, so Chattanooga is perfect for me. My girlfriend moved down at the start of this year; she loves it. It’s a great spot to live in. The people are awesome - not just our fans, but just the people of Chattanooga. They’re hard-working, nice as hell, people that feel like home, people you want to be around. So, playing soccer here is just a bonus to be honest.
What do you do in your spare time outside of soccer?
ROBERTSON: I’m a big golfer; I golf all the time. We have a few guys on the team that like to play. So, golf in my spare time on off days, always trying to find a decent day to golf. It’s nice to step away now and then and golf is a good avenue for that.
I’m getting into coaching too, so that’s my next avenue, I think. I’ll be working on my UEFA coaching license here soon and we’ll see whatever that brings. I’m working with the Academy, with kids aged 10 to16. I find I really enjoy that, helping to make players better. I like the coaching aspect. I like seeing development. We have young kids aspiring to play college or pro, I can mentor them on or off the field. I mentioned Latif earlier. If I’m half the coach he is, I’m doing it right.
After spending 2023 and 2024 with USL League One’s Lexington SC, Robertson returned to Chattanooga FC in December 2024 ahead of their second season in the MLS Next Pro.
You’ve played college, USL 2, NISA, USL 1, and now MLS Next Pro. How would you describe the level of MLS Next Pro compared to those leagues.
ROBERTSON: Really good. Technically it’s better. These youngsters we play, they’re technically very sharp and can move and play with the ball really well. They seem to get better the younger they are. They’re tactically smart too and very athletic. When you put technical smarts with athleticism you get some pretty good players. And there are some pretty good players in this league. In the rest of the American leagues at this level it’s more physical. USL League One is more up and back, playing for second balls; which is a good way to win games. Soccer is great because there’s so many ways to win games, so many styles. But MLS Next Pro focuses on possession of the ball, breaking down the opponent, which is a breath of fresh air for me because that’s how I like to play. If I were a coach, it’s where I’d want to coach.
Looking at your career at CFC, it really spans the professional era of the club. How do you see the growth of the club in that time?
ROBERTSON: [Looking around the room] We’re having a chat in a huge, awesome building. Five years ago, when I first got here – I’d have never seen this coming. They’re growing the club well and have people who know soccer. It’s all about growing it now. The infrastructure is here. The next part for me is the training facility, and I’m sure that’s coming. It’s grown into a big club. It’s a great steppingstone for young players, guys out of college. It gives you exposure to places you want to be. I think we have players on our team who are getting this exposure and they’re damn good players. Didn’t work out for them in other places for whatever reason. But, come to Chattanooga FC, win games, be part of something bigger as a family club, as a good community. And if you’re a good enough player people will find you.
Let’s chat more about community. What makes Chattanooga FC a community club?
ROBERTSON: Well, the fans are awesome. You know - win, lose, or draw they always show up. We’ve had a good season so far. They want to come back to watch us play. And we want them to come back and have fun. Every club says they’re a family club, and usually they fall short when it comes time to take care of their players. CFC is a family club and they back that up from the coaching and technical staff to the front office. Davis [Grizzard, Primary owner] and his family care about the players, they care about the people. They care about the person, just as much as the player. It’s reassuring to play in this environment. It’s the place you want to be. At this point in my career, I’m happy here. I don’t care to move on.
Tell me about your relationship with Alex McGrath. It seems to be very strong both on and off the field.
ROBERTSON: Jeez, I don’t know where to start. He’s awesome, one of my best friends. A big reason I came back [to CFC] was that he’s here. He’s in the same boat as me; loves Chattanooga. He’s married, has a house and roots here. It’s great for me, personally. My girlfriend and his wife are good friends, which is cool, it’s what you want. On the field, the chemistry is there. We know each other’s movements and what we want to do on or off the ball. It’s seamless!
Alex Krehl is Chattanooga’s top scorer this season (17 goals at the time of writing) and his impact has been nothing short of phenomenal, especially when one considers he was driving a delivery truck at the beginning of the year. As someone who has provided the assist to six of Krehl’s goals, there’s likely nobody better than Robertson to determine what makes him such a potent attacker.
What do you think Alex Krehl’s best attributes are as a goalscorer?
ROBERTSON: Being in front of goal. I can’t say enough good things about Krehl. You just know he’s always gonna be there to score. He also puts himself about and isn’t afraid to fight and claw. He’s a physical player and he works his ass off for the team. He knows how and when to be in the area, so crossing the ball or feeding to him is easy. He makes me look like a better player.
In early August, CFC appointed Richard Dixon as full-time Head Coach on a multiyear contract. Dixon had served as interim head coach since February and brought some needed continuity and stability to the team after Chris Nugent’s shock exit. As a player, Dixon was CFC’s first ever professional signing back in 2019 and a member of the coaching staff since retiring in 2023. He and Robertson were teammates during the latter’s first spell with the club.
Tell me about Richard Dixon. What's he like as a person and a coach?
ROBERTSON: Richard is a great friend, one of my favorite people I’ve met. He was our captain and is a leader who you’d go to battle with. I’d run through a brick wall for Richard. He never complained, never said a bad word about anybody and worked his ass off. As Head Coach, he’s instilling those principles in this team. He’s a young coach and it’s awesome to see him grow as a first-year coach and get the multi-year contract he deserves. He’ll be here long after I’m gone, I hope. The club is in great hands.
My thanks to Tate for taking the time to speak with me and, as always, to CFC and Hayes Creech for setting this up.
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