With only about half of its starting lineup returning entering the 2015 season, the Chattanooga Football Club had to look around to add first-team talent and depth in hopes of finally claiming its first-ever National Premier Soccer League championship.
The club found both.
A number of players have joined Chattanooga FC this season and played key roles in the club's 7-1 start, which included two U.S. Open Cup victories as well as the Steinbrecher Cup national championship last weekend.
The club looks to improve on its undefeated start in NPSL Southeast Conference play tonight, when it visits the New Orleans Jesters at 8 EDT.
The club felt pretty good about the strikers it returned but added a trio of midfielders -- Samuel Goni, Matt Aldred and Kenneth Kauker -- as well as defenders Jon Finlay, Nic Edgington and Sean Rutter.
"They're great," CFC coach Bill Elliott said. "Coming into the season, we hoped they would fit into our system and what we're doing, but you never know until you get them in. The guys have great character and are hard workers; they've played out of position at times but have been very unselfish about it.
"Just like every new player that comes into Chattanooga, the first time the 'Hooligans' walk into Finley, their jaws drop. I think they're excited to be here, as we're excited to have them."
Chris Baker was added as a goalkeeper and helped the club win one of its U.S. Open Cup games as well as a home matchup with the Jesters on May 23.
The biggest adjustment for most of the players has been the crowd atmosphere. Most have played for smaller colleges, so to see as many as 4,000 at a match has amazed them.
"It's been crazy, honestly. I don't know how else to describe it but crazy," said Finlay, who plays at nearby Lee University. "It's been awesome, though. To hear the fans chanting just spurs you on. I've never had that chance before, but you just want to win because they're here. As athletes, as footballers, you want to win anyway, but with that many people in the stands, you want to win not only for yourselves but for everyone that comes out.
"We don't get this in college. I've never signed so many autographs before."
Some have also endured position changes. Goni, who plays at NAIA Bethel University, was the Southern States Athletic Conference freshman of the year with nine goals and five assists as a forward. He's spent some time up top for CFC but mostly has been a midfielder.
"I've never played this position before, so it's been hard, but the guys want to help me and have been great," he said. "We're a really close group."
The newcomers have played a large role so far this season. Baker has been a headliner, but Goni has a goal and a pair of assists, while Rutter has a goal as well.
Finlay made the game-winning kick from the mark when CFC defeated the Wilmington Hammerheads on May 20. That led to a celebration with the players and the Chattanooga fan base that made the trip to North Carolina.
"There's a reason I took the fifth kick," he said. "To score that goal and hear the fans cheer was incredible. To have them say my name, that's what players want.
"That's what they dream of."
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.