Chattanooga FC heads back to Finley Stadium this Saturday, July 18, with momentum on its side as the club welcomes Orlando City B for a pivotal MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference matchup.
Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET, and with both clubs tied on 33 points, there’s plenty at stake in the race for playoff positioning. Chattanooga enters the contest riding a six-match unbeaten streak and looking to continue one of the league’s hottest summer runs.
Chattanooga Riding Wave of Confidence
The Scenic City side continues to find results when they matter most.
Last weekend, Chattanooga battled Carolina Core FC to a 1-1 draw before claiming the extra point with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory. That result extended CFC’s unbeaten run to six matches and improved the club’s recent form to 14 points from its last six league matches.
Interim head coach Richard Dixon has quickly steadied the squad, guiding Chattanooga into fourth place in the Eastern Conference while building confidence in pressure situations.
“It’s going to be a battle of details,” Dixon said ahead of Saturday’s match.
The coach praised Orlando City’s organized possession game and emphasized the importance of staying disciplined both with and without the ball.
One area where Chattanooga has excelled recently is penalty shootouts. The club has now won four consecutive shootouts, a success Dixon credits to months of consistent training.
“We’ve practiced penalties once or twice every week during the first half of the season. The players know their roles, and that’s paying dividends.”
Alex Krehl Continues Golden Boot Push
Forward Alex Krehl remains one of MLS NEXT Pro’s most dangerous attackers.
His goal against Carolina Core was his 11th league goal, moving him into second place in the MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot race.
If Krehl continues his current scoring pace, he’ll remain one of the league’s biggest offensive threats heading into the stretch run.
Meanwhile, Chattanooga also received positive recognition away from the pitch after climbing from 10th to 5th in the latest MLS NEXT Pro Power Rankings.
The club also made history this week as forward Keegan Ancelin completed a loan move to Drogheda United in Ireland—the first international loan in Chattanooga FC history.
Orlando City B Presents Familiar Challenge
Saturday marks the third and final regular-season meeting between the clubs.
The season series is currently even:
- April 11: Chattanooga FC won 3-1.
- May 31: Orlando City B responded with a 5-2 victory.
Like Chattanooga, Orlando enters in excellent form, unbeaten in three consecutive matches after defeating FC Cincinnati 2 by a 2-1 scoreline.
Forward Pedro Leão leads Orlando City B with seven goals, while Harvey Sarajian has contributed five assists this season.
With both teams separated only by goal difference, another tightly contested battle is expected.
More Than Just Soccer at Finley Stadium
Fans attending Saturday’s match will also enjoy another installment of Chattanooga’s popular Summer of Soccer festivities.
Activities include:
- A post-match Fiesta and Salsa Dance Party on the field.
- Interactive STEAM activities hosted by the Creative Discovery Museum in the Kids’ Zone.
The club continues to blend community engagement with exciting on-field performances, creating one of the league’s most enjoyable matchday experiences.
What This Means
Chattanooga FC has quietly become one of the hottest teams in MLS NEXT Pro.
A victory over Orlando City B could strengthen the club’s playoff position while sending another message that CFC belongs among the Eastern Conference contenders. With Alex Krehl chasing the Golden Boot and the team playing with confidence under Richard Dixon, Saturday’s match could be another important step toward a strong postseason push.
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What do you expect from Chattanooga FC against Orlando City B? Can Alex Krehl continue his Golden Boot chase?
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Author: Quique Lopez
Quique Lopez doesn’t just cover soccer—he deconstructs it with the precision of a veteran and the wit of a storyteller. A former player who sees the pitch as both a tactical chessboard and a cultural stage, Quique balances sharp critiques with a genuine love for the game’s soul. He’s as quick to call out the ego of a superstar as he is to find the hidden beauty in a local derby.