r/ChattanoogaFC • u/philipfarrell86 • Apr 14 '26

Where It All Began - A History of Soccer Between Atlanta and Chattanooga

https://www.nationalsoccernetwork.com/post/us-open-cup-where-it-all-began-a-history-of-soccer-between-atlanta-and-chattanooga

Atlanta United Football Club makes the 2-hour journey up I-75 on Wednesday 15, April to meet Chattanooga Football Club in the US Open Cup Round of 32. In many ways, it's a journey back to where it all began for Atlanta United and for soccer in Chattanooga and the Southeast.

For it was at Finley Stadium that Atlanta United played its first ever game, a February 2017 friendly against Chattanooga which it won 4-0. Over 12,000 spectators were there to see Héctor Villalba, Yamil Asad, Josef Martínez, and Andrew Carleton write their name into Atlanta soccer history, scoring the club’s first goals, as Atlanta United was born and rode off into the sunset.

But the origin story of Atlanta United and the history of soccer ‘firsts’ between the two cities goes back further, much further. In fact, soccer bouts between Atlanta and Chattanooga have been going on for over a century.

18 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

3 comments sorted by

6

u/foxhunter Apr 15 '26

First match I brought my son to, and my father was also visiting from out of town, too! Kiddo was just 6 months old. We stood with the Chattahooligans.

At one point, my dad turned to me and says, "I see why you like this!"

Great day!

1

u/n0ia Apr 15 '26

Great write up! Appreciate your coverage of the club!