The ninth year of the Chattanooga Football Club began like no other.
Playing its first friendly ever against a Major League Soccer opponent, the annual National Premier Soccer League power fell 4-0 to Atlanta United on Saturday afternoon before a crowd of 12,484 at Finley Stadium.
Chattanooga FC players won’t begin practicing for their NPSL season until early May, but they will do so with quite the experience from which to grow.
“This gives us a little bit of a head start,” CFC coach Bill Elliott said after the friendly. “It gives our guys an understanding of what the next level is, and it also gives our guys an early chance to evaluate themselves in terms of fitness and preparation. These guys are motivated guys who did not come into this stadium to lose, and this will motivate them to really prepare for May.
“It’s not only the result but the crowd and environment, because this was like a recharging of batteries, and where this can make a difference is how they prepare for May.”