Chattanooga FC has second shot at title

The Chattanooga Football Club swing and missed on its first chance to wrap up the National Premier Soccer League Southeast Conference last week. It gets a final shot tonight.

In its final conference game, Chattanooga FC (5-2-2) visits the Knoxville Force (2-6-1) with a lot more on the line than it wanted.

"The guys are in great spirits and they know what has to happen," CFC general manager Sean McDaniel said.

Chattanooga FC could have clinched its second straight title, and another trip to the NPSL Final Four, last week at home against the Georgia Revolution. Instead, the Revolution jumped out to a 3-0 lead, CFC rallied to tie and then Georgia scored a late goal for a 4-3 win.

The CFC loss brought the Revolution and Jacksonville United FC into the championship picture. Chattanooga has 18 points heading into tonight's game; Jacksonville and the Revolution have 15 each.

A win over the Force guarantees CFC the title, regardless of what the other challengers do. A draw or a loss takes the matter out of CFC's hands.

"The coaching staff and the players are very well aware of the situation and have trained this week to put us in a position [to clinch]," McDaniel said. "We don't want to have to depend on anyone else."

The NPSL Final Four is July 28-30 in Madison, Ala. Chattanooga FC plays its final game at Finley Stadium on July 23, when it hosts an exhibition against the D.C. United Under-23 squad.

Win or lose tonight, Chattanooga FC will host a Women's World Cup final viewing party this afternoon at the downtown Big River Grille & Brewing Works.

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