Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon / Chattanooga FC's Joao Costa, right, makes a move on a Napa Valley 1839 FC defender during Saturday night's match at Finley Stadium. CFC won 3-0.Before putting on an impressive display of soccer Saturday night at Finley Stadium, Chattanooga Football Club players gathered with the late Scott Kramer's family at midfield to show love and support.
After a minute-long standing ovation and moment of silence for Kramer - who was a dedicated member of the team's supporters group known as the Chattahooligans - Chattanooga FC won 3-0 over Napa Valley 1839 FC.
"Tonight I saw something again that shows me how professional and classy our fans and the people of Chattanooga are," CFC coach Peter Fuller said. "That was an awesome ceremony before the game.
"To see that makes me really proud to be a part of a club and a culture that would honor someone like that. I also thought we followed that with a tremendous performance. Our fans have waited a long time for this."
After a tough start in the National Premier Soccer League's Members Cup, CFC (2-2-2) got its first three-point outcome at home since winning the NPSL Southeast Conference championship on July 13.
Just two minutes into the action, Cameron Woodfin's cross from the left sideline was put home by Genki Miyachi, named the "man of the match."
Alun Webb provided a thrilling run in the 16th minute as he leaped over the oncoming keeper, who was out of the box, to run and score on an open net, but the goal was taken away after an offside ruling.
In the 22nd minute, Webb followed through with a long pass from the right sideline that found an unmarked Joao Costa at the left post for a picture-perfect header to the back right corner for a 2-0 lead.
"I told Alun at halftime I think he closed his eyes and put the ball in the box," Costa said. "This is a big win for us, and we want to win out these last four games in the Members Cup. We got these three points for Scott. We know how hard it is to lose somebody we love, so we really played with some drive tonight."
Phil D'Amico was a vacuum in net for CFC, and Caleb Cole celebrated with the crowd as he sprinted with his jersey pulled over his head after scoring off a line drive to the upper right in the 89th minute.
CFC will travel to face the Michigan Stars and New York Cosmos the next two Saturdays before hosting Detroit City on Oct. 5.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.