CHATTANOOGA, TN – Atlanta United’s 2025 season began with a preseason match against Chattanooga FC on Davenport Field at Finley Stadium. The yardage markings from the most recent University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Mocs game were still visible on the field when the match kicked off at 3 p.m. Whether the pitch was picture-perfect or not, Chattanooga came to play and won 2-1.
The Ronny Deila era began with a bit of disappointment.
Children played in the grass above and behind the goal, while other fans watched from the mezzanine level of the stadium. Not playing indoors on a day like this – the high was 49 degrees, the low 29 degrees- made for an interesting experience for Atlanta United supporters, who are used to the indoors of Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
On a brisk Saturday afternoon in the “Scenic City”, the Five Stripes got back into action for the first time since losing in the Major League Soccer (MLS) playoffs in Orlando. The match began slowly like most preseason matches do. Chattanooga FC, which has played Atlanta United well in the past, nearly scored the game’s first goal of the match in the 29th minute before Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan picked up his first save of the match. There was another serious attempt at breaking the match open when a Chattanooga shot attempt flew well over Guzan’s head a few minutes later. On the Atlanta side of the ledger, forward Jamal Thiare was inches away from a goal of his own when his header missed just before halftime.
During the break, Guzan spoke to the media about what he had seen during the first half. Only playing a half of soccer, Guzan said there were a couple of plays in the back that he felt would probably go unnoticed but he felt were good signs. Backup goalkeeper Josh Cohen started the second half and Guzan said he wanted to see all of his teammates do well.
“As a group, we want to build on the last two weeks, we want to build on the principles of what we have been talking about,” Guzan said. “For him, it’s no different than the guys in front of him.”
The team exchanged goals early in the second half when Luke Brennan connected a header off a Saba Lobjanidze corner kick. Minutes later Chattanooga tied the match at one all when Jesus Ibarra scored on a solo run downfield.
Chattanooga, no doubt inspired by the game-tying goal, gained a 2-1 advantage in the 87th minute. There was still time for a game-tying goal for Atlanta as Edwin Mosquera and Efrain Morales each had good looks at the Chattanooga goal that were saved.
Younger Atlanta players like Dominik Chong Qui, a defender for Atlanta United 2, got a chance to play with the regulars. Players like Qui, Brennan, Ajay Fortune, and Noah Cobb, to name a few, will be the future of the club.
Up next for Atlanta is a meeting with the Birmingham Legion on Feb. 1 at 4:30 p.m.
