Fans from many backgrounds will gather at Finley Stadium on Saturday evening as soccer season returns there with an international exhibition between the Chattanooga Football Club and Guatemalan powerhouse Comunicaciones FC. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
“This is more than just a soccer game. It is a chance to celebrate unity, strength and cultural diversity in our city,” said Gladys Pineda, Chattanooga FC’s director of international community outreach. “It’s a good way to celebrate what the Latino and Guatemalan community brings to the table.”
A historic high school near the stadium has highly anticipated the match between two very successful clubs that have impacted families.
The Howard School has seen a dramatic rise in its Hispanic population since 2013, climbing from 5 percent to 48 percent as of this semester. According to Hayden Croxall, the school’s girls’ soccer coach and English to Speakers of Other Languages teacher, 93 percent of all soccer players for the Hustlin’ Tigers have a Guatemalan heritage.
“With how political things have been recently regarding immigrants, soccer really goes beyond political barriers and speaks a language beyond linguistic barriers,” Croxall said. “The sport goes straight to these kids’ hearts. I am excited this game can celebrate their heritage and have a little piece of home come to Chattanooga.”