Chattanooga FC’s dominant finish to Matchweek 28 earned the club another piece of recognition.
Following a 4-1 victory over Atlanta United 2 at Finley Stadium, Chattanooga FC was named the MLS NEXT Pro Team of Matchweek 28, highlighting a performance that secured a home playoff match and kept the club within striking distance of the Eastern Conference’s top spot.
The Boys in Blue put together one of their most complete performances of the regular season on a scorching Sunday afternoon.
Alex Krehl, Alex McGrath, Luke Husakiwsky and Damien Barker John all found the net as Chattanooga pulled away from Atlanta United 2 in the second half.
The result also guaranteed Chattanooga will finish no lower than second in the Eastern Conference.
Now, with Decision Day approaching, the club has an opportunity to finish the regular season at the top of the conference.
Four Goals Deliver a Statement Win
Chattanooga FC established control early against Atlanta United 2.
Krehl opened the scoring in the 10th minute, continuing his remarkable MLS NEXT Pro season with his 18th goal.
Atlanta responded by controlling possession for stretches of the match, but Chattanooga created the more dangerous chances.
The difference became even clearer after halftime.
Captain Alex McGrath doubled the lead in the 62nd minute, scoring his sixth goal of the season.
Then came another quick strike.
Substitute Luke Husakiwsky entered the match and scored just two minutes later, pushing Chattanooga’s advantage to 3-0.
Damien Barker John added a fourth goal in the 86th minute to put the match out of reach.
Atlanta’s Arif Kovac scored in the 89th minute, but Chattanooga held on for the 4-1 victory.
The Numbers Behind Chattanooga’s Recognition
The scoreline was only part of the story.
Chattanooga finished the match with:
- 20 shots
- 11 shots on goal
- 4.24 expected goals
- 44% possession
- 81.8% passing accuracy
- Seven saves from goalkeeper Eldin Jakupović
Atlanta held 56% possession and completed 390 passes, but managed just two shots on target.
That contrast helped explain why Chattanooga was able to turn the match into a comfortable victory despite spending less time with the ball.
The Boys in Blue were more direct and more dangerous in the final third.
That efficiency ultimately produced four goals and three points.
Home Playoff Soccer Is Secured
The victory guaranteed Chattanooga FC a home conference quarterfinal in the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro playoffs.
The club will host that match on Sunday, October 18, with kickoff time to be announced.
Chattanooga will also participate in MLS NEXT Pro’s Pick-Your-Opponent playoff format.
The top three seeds in each conference host their quarterfinal and select an opponent from the No. 5 through No. 8 seeds. The No. 8 seed will be the winner of the Play-in Round, while the No. 4 seed hosts the remaining club.
For Chattanooga, the goal now shifts from simply securing postseason soccer to positioning itself as high as possible in the Eastern Conference.
Decision Day Could Decide the Top Spot
Chattanooga enters the final week of the regular season just two points behind Crown Legacy FC in the Eastern Conference.
That makes Sunday’s Decision Day particularly important.
Chattanooga FC will travel to face Chicago Fire FC II on Sunday, September 20, with kickoff scheduled for 2 p.m. ET.
At the same time, Crown Legacy FC will travel to face FC Cincinnati 2.
With both matches kicking off simultaneously, the Eastern Conference race could change quickly.
Chattanooga has already guaranteed a home playoff match.
Now the club has a chance to finish the regular season at the top of the conference.
More Milestones for Chattanooga FC
The Matchweek 28 victory also produced a pair of club milestones.
Chattanooga FC established a new club record with 14 MLS NEXT Pro wins in a single season.
Meanwhile, Tate Robertson moved past Juan Hernandez to become the club’s outright second-most appearance maker, reaching 128 appearances.
Those milestones add another layer to what has been a notable regular season for the Boys in Blue.
The club has combined individual achievements with a strong position in the Eastern Conference standings and will now enter the postseason with home-field advantage secured.
Community Spotlight: Building Toward the Next Chapter
Chattanooga FC’s record-setting regular season has been built one milestone at a time. From setting a new club record for MLS NEXT Pro wins to securing a home playoff match, the Boys in Blue have continued putting the pieces together for an important postseason run. For Metro Atlanta families, building toward the next chapter can also mean creating spaces that are ready for whatever comes next.
Atlanta Soccer News is proud to recognize WS Painting & Remodeling, a Metro Atlanta community partner specializing in residential painting, remodeling and home improvement. From kitchens and bathrooms to basements, interior and exterior remodeling, and professional painting, WS Painting & Remodeling focuses on creating thoughtful, livable spaces that balance how a home looks with how it functions.
As Chattanooga prepares for the final regular-season match and the postseason beyond it, Metro Atlanta homeowners can also take the next step on projects that improve the spaces where everyday life happens. Learn more about WS Painting & Remodeling and explore their home improvement services.
What This Means for Chattanooga FC
Being named Team of Matchweek 28 reflects more than just the final score.
Chattanooga entered the match needing a strong performance to secure its postseason position, and the team responded with four goals, strong defensive work and a second-half surge that put Atlanta away.
The recognition also comes at an important point in the season.
With just one regular-season match remaining and the club two points behind Crown Legacy, Chattanooga still has something meaningful to play for on Decision Day.
The home playoff match is already secured.
The final standings are not.
ASN TAKE
Chattanooga FC is entering the MLS NEXT Pro postseason with plenty of momentum.
The 4-1 win over Atlanta United 2 showed a team capable of turning control into production. Chattanooga did not need the majority of possession to dictate the match; instead, the Boys in Blue consistently created the more dangerous opportunities.
The four-goal performance also showcased the club’s attacking depth.
Krehl struck early, McGrath added another, Husakiwsky made an immediate impact off the bench and Barker John capped the scoring.
Now Chattanooga gets one final regular-season test at Chicago Fire FC II.
A home playoff match is already guaranteed. With first place still within reach, Decision Day gives the Boys in Blue another opportunity to strengthen their position before the postseason begins.
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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.