USL1: Match Preview- Chattanooga Red Wolves SC v Corpus Christi FC
- Philip Farrell
- 1 hour ago
- 6 min read
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Match: Chattanooga Red Wolves SC v Corpus Christi FC
Competition: Prinx Tires USL Cup, Group 3
Date: Saturday, April 25th, 2026. 19:00 (Eastern)
Venue: CHI Memorial Stadium Stadium, East Ridge, TN.
Capacity: 2,500
How to watch: ESPN+ Tickets: https://www.chattanoogaredwolves-sc.com/tickets/
Prinx Tires USL Cup action returns to CHI Memorial Stadium for the first time in 2026 as the Chattanooga Red Wolves SC welcomes Corpus Christi FC to the Den on Saturday evening. It's a first ever clash between two sides in the opening round of this season’s cup. Neither side has begun their season in strong form, so a win will be much appreciated on both sides.
The Red Wolves have started the season in mixed form, with a win, a draw, and a loss a-piece in the league. Sitting in 12th in USL League One, they were also knocked out of the US Open Cup in Round One by amateurs Tennessee Tempo FC. They’ve given up five goals in three games (3 league, 1 cup) and have developed a knack of conceding first. Their most recent outing, saw them lose to 10-man newcomers Fort Wayne 1-0 at CHI in their home opener. That was disappointing and, coupled with their early Open Cup exit, will have dulled the mood in East Ridge after a decent haul of four points in their first two league games. A win on Saturday and a good (USL) Cup run would heal some early wounds.
Corpus Christi have struggled in the early days of their first season as a pro team. After years of strong performances in USL League Two’s Lonestar Division, they sit in last place in USL League One after five matches. They achieved commendable results away in Knoxville and Naples but most recently lost 2-1 at Sarasota Paradise. They’re yet to play at home as their stadium is finished. It's a homecoming on Saturday for Head Coach Éamon Zayed. The Irish-born former Libya international spent two years at the Red Wolves in the winter of his playing career. The match kicks off at 7pm Eastern and we’re expecting potential thunderstorms and rain in the hours leading up to the start. This may affect the quality on-field and the attendance on the uncovered stands. Streaming will be available on ESPN+.
The History:
In short, there isn’t one. Given this is Corpus Christi’s first ever season in the professional game, these two sides have never met. The teams will meet twice more this season for their regular league battles. On Saturday, July 4th they'll face each other in Texas and Saturday October 3rd again at CHI Memorial Stadium
Report Cards and Lineups:
Red Wolves - The Red Wolves have been somewhat underplayed so far in 2026. We’re into late April, and they’ve only taken to the field four times, three of them in the league. Playing in the USL Cup this weekend means the Red Wolves won’t play their fourth league game until May 2. Strange, considering some teams in League One already have seven games under their belts. The Red Wolves’ season has been mixed so far, but we’re dealing with a small sample size. In their first two games, both on the road, they showed great resilience to come back from behind. The Cupset at the hands of Tennessee Tempo will have stung, however, as will the 1-0 loss at home to newcomers Fort Wayne FC on April 11. This was made worse by the fact that their visitor’s goal came via a backpass, Fort Wayne ended the game with 10 men, and CRW’s Head Coach Scott Mackenzie was sent off on the hour for dissent. A win on Saturday is vital for the Red Wolves to arrest their season and give fans at the Den something to cheer about.
Most Used XI (4-1-4-1): Jason Smith; Jordan Ayimbila, Eric Kinzner, Harry Jolley, Joshua Ramos; Omar Gómez, Matthew Acosta; Omar Hernández, Pedro Hernández (C), Matt Bentley; Greyson Mercer
The above is a rough composite of the side Mackenzie has put out so far. However, I think he might rotate in some fringe players, given this isn’t league action. He typically prefers veteran keeper Ricardo Jérez for Cup games. South African midfielder Wynand Wessels came off the bench against Fort Wayne, indicating a return to fitness so I’d expect him to start. There might also be opportunities for midfielders Nathan Donoho and James Vaughan.
Lineup prediction: Ricardo Jérez; Tobi Adewole, Eric Kinzner, Harry Jolley, Yanis Lelin; James Vaughan, Wynand Wessels; Omar Hernández, Pedro Hernández (C), Aaron Lombardi; Ropapa Mensah
Club captain Ualefi still seems to be injured, while I’m uncertain about Ropapa Mensah’s availability. Mackenzie doesn’t have a squad with a lot of depth to pick and choose from, so his ability to rotate will be hampered by that. I also expect him to not be on the sidelines, given his sending off against Fort Wayne.
With two goals and two assists across the Red Wolves’ first two league games, Omar Hernández is undoubtedly their player-to-watch this weekend. He was named to the USL League One Team of the Week for Week 4 after the Alta game in which he recorded a goal and assist while recording three shots and five chances created overall. If the Red Wolves are to cause problems for this Corpus Christi defense, Hernández will be at the center of it.
Corpus Christi - Éamon Zayed returns to Hamilton County where he spent the final two years of his career as a player, and first years in coaching. Of course, he brought North Colorado Hailstorms to East Ridge too and like that outfit, he has moulded this new, professional, Corpus Christi side in his own image. This has included bringing in faces from the League of Ireland and Irish League, competitions he’ll know well. It's been tough going, with only two points in four games. Last time around, they lost 2-1 in Sarasota and Zayed, a competitive character, will be desperate for his charges to start winning.
Incidentally, this is CCFC’s second trip to Hamilton County in only two years. Last year they visited Chattanooga Football Club at Finley Stadium in the First Round of the US Open Cup, where they lost 1-0. That was an amateur Sharks side at the time, with Bubu Medina the only survivor from their squad that day in the roster this season.
Most Used XI: James Talbot; Pierce Infuso, Sam Roscoe-Byrne, Jack Keaney, Shannon Gómez; Paddy Langlois (C); Nacho Abeal, Enock Kwakwa, Jackson Dietrich, Tomas Pondeca; Christian Chaney
The above is a rough composite of the side Zayed has put out so far, but I wonder if he will rest many of his key players to keep them fresh for the league campaign where they need to see improvements. This will be a great opportunity for him to take a look at fringe players and see who could impress and therefore earn a league starting XI berth. So, perhaps something more like the below could be lining up on Saturday
Lineup prediction: Mason McCready; Blake Bowen, James Parks, Sam Roscoe-Byrne Tomás Ritondale; Jackson Dietrich; Manzi Shalita, Kaihim Thomas, Bubu Medina, Leyder Robledo; Jake Keegan
On the other hand, Zayed might see this game as a chance to pick up some momentum, especially if the Red Wolves don’t seem interested and could well go with a more typical XI. He recently switched from 4-1-4-1 to 4-1-3-2 against Westchester and it didn’t go well (they lost 4-1), then looked like settling on a 4-3-3 away to Sarasota. So it sounds like he’s still trying to find his combination.
Bubu Medina is the team’s leading scorer with two goals to his name so far. Other goals have come from Enock Kwakwa and Tomas Pondeca. Alex Cerritos, Blake Bowen, Jake Keegan, and Ignacio Abeal have provided the assists. In spite of a recent 4-1 thumping in Westchester, goalkeeper James Talbot is integral to this team. The 28-year-old came to Texas with a fine career in the League of Ireland that saw him receive several call-ups to the Republic of Ireland senior team. He was excellent in the away tie at Knoxville and will be central to Corpus Christi on Saturday, if he plays. Should he do so, he’s my CCFC player to watch.
While Corpus Christi may be a new name to fans at CHI Memorial; many of its personnel will provide familiar faces. As well as Zayed who played 19 times for the Red Wolves; Jake Keegan has played 15 games against them and scored four goals across his long career. Christian Chaney has made 13 appearances against the Red Wolves, scoring once; Ronald Cerritos ha four goals in eight meetings; while Jackson Dietrich and Paddy Langlois are also veterans of past tussles in East Ridge.
Analysis and Predictions:
I’m going for a tie this weekend. I think the weather will hamper the quality of this game and do not expect it to be a good match. Both teams look a little undercooked and I don’t think a rainy evening in East Ridge in the USL Cup is the place for either to get their seasons in gear. 0-0 or 1-1.
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