Chattanooga FC Media Relations
July 11, 2010—12:01 a.m. EST

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.—In only its second season in existence, Chattanooga Football Club (5-0-2) clinched the NPSL Southeast Division Title with a gutsy 3-2 victory over Pumas FC (2-1-3) in Birmingham Saturday night. Close to one hundred Chattanooga supporters, including the energetic Chattahooligan fan club, were on hand to celebrate with the team after the game.

The game got off to a very poor start just two minutes into the game when Pumas FC found an opening in the Chattanooga defense and put in an early goal to go ahead 1-0. Chattanooga FC Twitter reporter Chris Cooper may have described the early moment best when he called it a “lazy start.”

The early deficit was a good test for the Chattanooga FC players, as they had not found themselves behind all season. And, indeed, only nine minutes later, defensive back Joshua Scott played the ball into the box and Chris Ochieng headed the ball into the back of the net.

“That early goal actually woke us up, and then we started playing very well,” said Brian Crossman, head coach for Chattanooga FC. “Pumas FC controlled possession for most of the game, but we had the better scoring chances throughout the game. It’s a little easier to be patient when you are getting out-possessed if you are getting good scoring chances.”

Just ten minutes later, in the 22nd minute, Chattanooga midfielder Sasha Viatrov beat a Pumas defender down the line and drove a hard cross to Luis Salazar who headed the ball past the outstretched hand of the keeper.

Throughout the rest of the first half, both teams traded scoring opportunities, with Chattanooga FC having the majority of good chances.

Starting out the second half, it looked as if Chattanooga FC had come out a little more defensive-minded, remarked Cooper on Twitter. Only a few minutes into the half, Pumas snuck another goal in to tie the game at two.

“That was a strange play,” mentioned Crossman after the match. “All of our defenders stopped playing because the ball was four feet over the end line, and just got caught watching when the ball was played back to the middle. I’m interested in seeing that one on film tomorrow.”

The game was back and forth a bit, with a lot of fouls being called, until Chattanooga midfielder Phil Beene came off the bench and volleyed a bouncing ball in the box for the winning goal.

“It was a great goal and a great celebration following the goal,” said Cooper. “Phil came running over to the sidelines where the team was and, of course, our fans were really excited too!”

The victory over Pumas secures Chattanooga FC’s spot in the NPSL semi-finals on July 29th in Madison, Alabama. Chattanooga FC returns home next Saturday to try to wrap up an undefeated season when they take on Rocket City United. Chattanooga FC also just confirmed this week they will be traveling to Washington DC on July 24th to play against DC United U20/Reserves and they welcome fans to join them in DC.

For more information, visit www.chattanoogafc.com