In a battle of the National Independent Soccer Association's division leaders Wednesday night at Finley Stadium, the Chattanooga Football Club lost 1-0 to the California United Strikers FC.
Four minutes after entering the contest, Alex Vedamanikam scored for the visitors in the 70th minute, and Chattanooga FC was unable to find the net despite some solid opportunities.
The Strikers (11-1-1, 34 points) have built a 19-point edge over the second-place team in the West Division, and Wednesday's win put them in position to be the top seed in the playoffs in October by virtue of the head-to-head result. However, CFC will visit the Strikers in early September.
CFC, which entered Wednesday on an 11-match undefeated streak, falls to 10-3-3 overall this season and 9-2-3 against NISA competition. CFC does still hold a seven-point lead over the Michigan Stars in the East Division with 11 matches remaining in the regular season.
CFC is on the road for its next match and returns to East Division competition, facing the fourth-place Syracuse Pulse (3-9-2) at 7 p.m. Sunday.
Compiled by Gene Henley. Contact him at ghenley@timesfreepress.com.