Chattanooga has always been a soccer city, according to Charlsey Pitts.
Pitts, a manager of the Southside’s popular and often rowdy Whiskey Cowgirl bar, looked across the street toward Chattanooga Football Club’s home field.
“During the CFC season, we always have a huge Chattanooga community come in and cheer on,” Pitts said in an interview. “They also play so close to us.”
Finley Stadium, or “Fort Finley,” as the fans call it, is set to host the Major League Soccer Next Pro Cup title match between Chattanooga FC (20-7-7) and Los Angeles FC 2 (14-8-9) at 6 p.m. Sunday.
It’s the most consequential game in club history for Chattanooga, as a win would mark the franchise’s first professional championship. It would also be the first time an independent team not affiliated with a major-league club is crowned champion of MLS’s second-tier division.