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Gameday Report: September 28, Week 27

By USLLeagueOne.com, 09/28/19, 9:30PM EDT

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Red Wolves outlast Richmond to remain in playoff hunt

chattanooga red wolves sc (2) v richmond kickers (1)

On Saturday night in front of their home fans at David Stanton Field, Chattanooga Red Wolves outlasted a valiant effort from a 10-man Richmond Kickers side to keep their playoff chances very much alive headed into the final week of the League One season.

The Red Wolves entered the contest knowing they needed all three points to avoid handing the final League One playoff spot to Forward Madison, and the match got off to exactly the sort of start Chattanooga fans would have wanted. Richmond’s Braeden Troyer was shown a red card for bringing down a Chattanooga attacker in the box in the 22nd minute, and the Red Wolves’ Ualefi stepped up and calmly slotted home the ensuing spot kick. 

Spanish forward Sito Seoane would double the hosts’ lead ten minutes later, sneaking in behind the Richmond backline and cleverly beating Kickers’ keeper Akira Fitzgerald at the near post.

Though they played a man down for more than an hour, the Kickers fought hard to stay in the match. Richmond controlled possession for much of the second half and forced the Red Wolves to play on the back foot, even with a numerical advantage. The visitors were rewarded for their enterprising play with a spectacular goal on 65 minutes. Mutaya Mwape made an intelligent run forward in the midfield and played a spectacular pass over the top of the Chattanooga defense. Charles Boateng’s first touch to settle the ball was good, but his second was outstanding, unleashing a furious half-volley from near the edge of the penalty area that flew into the back of the net.

Richmond continued to pile on the pressure for the remaining 25 minutes. The Kickers fashioned a chance to equalize in stoppage time, but Ryley Kraft’s shot went just over the bar and Chattanooga held on for the 2-1 win.

The result is a massive one for the Red Wolves, who now sit just one point behind Forward Madison for the fourth and final League One playoff berth. Chattanooga needs to better Madison’s result on the final day of the season next Saturday to claim that berth, with the Red Wolves hosting Toronto FC II while the Flamingos travel to face Lansing Ignite.


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