CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Central Valley Fuego FC heads to Tennessee to take on the Chattanooga Red Wolves SC. It was a slow start for Fuego, the Red Wolves placed one in the net. Fuego added points on the board in the 14th minute after Bijev received a pass from Maxi Schenfeld in the middle third of the field. Bijev presses down the left side of the field and makes a run to the 18-yard box where he is pressured by #21 Andres Hernandez of the Red Wolves. Bijev outmaneuvers Hernandez and creates a window to kick a well-timed cross to find Casillas in the perfect position to tap the ball past the Chattanooga goalkeeper. Things got tied up in stoppage time with Victor Falck squeezing in a goal at the 47th minute. A penalty kick provides an opportunity for Chattanooga to level the score in stoppage time.
UP NEXT: Central Valley Fuego FC travels to take on South Georgia Tormenta FC on May 21 at 4:30 PM PST at ERK Russell Park. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.
Match: Chattanooga Red Wolves SC vs Central Valley Fuego FC
Date: May 14, 2022
Venue: CHI Memorial Stadium
Weather: 83 degrees and partly cloudy
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN
CHA: Rafael Mentzingen (Aaron Lombardi), 3rd minute: Rafael Mentzingen receives a pass from the top of the box and with a well-executed two-touch, places it past the keeper to score the first goal of the match.
CV: Diego Casillas (Villyan Bijev), 15th minute: Bijev receives a pass from Maxi Schenfeld in the middle third of the field. Bijev presses down the left side of the field and makes a run to the 18-yard box where he is pressured by #21 Andres Hernandez of the Red Wolves. Bijev outmaneuvers Hernandez and creates a window to kick a well-timed cross to find Casillas in the perfect position to tap the ball past the Chattanooga goalkeeper.
CV: Victor Falck, 45 + 3’ minute: Off of a Fuego FC throw-in, Bijev fights off two Chattanooga defenders and with a flick, passes the ball back to find Alexis Cerritos near the 18. Cerritos fights for possession and gets a touch on the ball that finds its way to Falk’s who sends it off with a one-touch between the goalkeeper’s legs to the back of the net.
CHA: Juan Galindrez, 45 + 5’ minute: Galindrez makes a goal from a penalty kick.
NOTES
– This is the first time in Fuego FC history to compete against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC.
– Diego Casillas made his second consecutive goal of the season.
– Victor Falck made his first goal of the season.
Scoring Summary | 1 | 2 | F |
Central Valley Fuego FC | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Chattanooga Red Wolves SC | 2 | 0 | 2 |
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
CHA – Rafa (Lombardi), 3’
CV – Diego Casillas (Villyan Bijev), 14’
CV – Victor Falck 48’
CHA – Juan Galindrez (P), 49’
LINEUPS
Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (1-3-2-4): Carlos Avilez, Andres Hernández (Nicolás Cardona), Devin Benton, Jorge Luna, Aaron Lombardi, Jose Carrera- García, Ualefi (Josue Cartagena), Rafael Mentzingen, Jimmie Villalobos (Josue Espana), Moe Espinoza (Rey Ortiz), Daniel Texeira (Juan Galindrez)
Subs not used: Jonny Guadarrama, Tor Saunders
Central Valley Fuego FC (1-4-3-3): Ofek Antman; Jordan Chavez, Michael Hornsby (Christian Chaney), Nathan Smith, François Dulysse, Ozzie Ramos (William Gillingham), Diego Casillas (Cherif Dieye), Victor Falck, Maxi Schenfeld, Alexis Cerritos (Jesus Partida), Villyan Bijev
Subs not used: Mitch North, Keslley Neves, Renato Bustamante
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
CHA – Aaron Lombardi 50’ (Yellow Card)
CHA – Jorge Luna 56’ (Yellow Card)
CHA – Nicolás Cardona 89’ (Yellow Card)
CHA – José Carrera- García 90’ (Red Card)
CV – Maxi Schenfeld 90 + 7’ (Yellow Card)
TEAM PERSPECTIVE
“There were big expectations about the game tonight. I believe both teams wanted to win, both teams played a very competitive match,” said Martín Vásquez, Head Coach. “I’m happy with the mentality of the team playing on the road. We will take the point and continue to build on the team’s performance.”
“Chattanooga is in the first place and we earned a point on their home field. I am very proud of the effort the guys put in today,” said Milton Blanco, First Assistant. “We will continue to keep working to represent the Valley. Dale Fuego!”
“I feel we could have walked away with the three points based on how hard our team was working,” said Diego Casillas. “It is unfortunate but we walk away with a good point on the road.”
“The boys did a great job going through adversity. With traveling across the country, five hours on two flights, arriving at midnight, our bags getting delayed, and weather delays. The guys have been pushing through. Whatever has been in front of them, without any complaining,” said Edison Gonzalez, Second Assistant. “The boys showed a lot of character. This one point on the road is huge. They [Chattanooga] are the first placed team and to be able to go toe-to-toe with them– I know the fans enjoyed it. The guys are doing an amazing job. And the guys coming off the bench did an amazing job as well.”
“A very back-and-forth match that probably deserved to end as a tie. It was up for grabs in the second half and we had some opportunities but Chattanooga is a quality team and our legs were tired towards the end,” said Victor Falck. “A tie on the road is decent, especially against the league leaders, but we want more and we know we can do more.”