2022’s playoff runner-up hosts the first of a long road stretch for Hailstorm FC.
Chattanooga Red Wolves SC: What to Know
Last Result: after finishing fourth in the 2022 table, Red Wolves SC fought their way through defending champions Union Omaha and top-seeded Richmond Kickers before falling to Tormenta FC in the championship match by a score of 2-1.
Red Wolves SC kicks off its first full season at its permanent home, CHI Memorial Stadium. The facility still has some work being done, but the ability to schedule every home match there should provide some needed stability.
Significant returnees from the 2022 squad: goalkeeper Carlos Avilez; defenders Nico Cardona and Aaron Lombardi; midfielders Moe Espinoza, Pedro Hernandez, Ryley Kraft, and Ualefi; and forward Alex Tejera.
Significant newcomers: goalkeeper Ricardo Jerez, defenders Jackson Brady, Manuel Madrid, Richard Rentería, and Mekeil Williams; midfielders Christian Enriquez, Felipe Liborio Jr., and Walter Varela; forwards Mayele Malango, Chevone Marsh, and Ropapa Mensah.
Red Wolves SC also debut a new head coach, Ziggy Korytoski. The gaffer comes from Albion San Diego and recruited several veterans of the NISA side, including Malango and Varela.
Forward Ropapa Mensah is a USL Championship veteran where he had 25 goals and 15 assists over 107 appearances. However, Mensah does not appear to have played since 2021 after suffering and recovering from injury in 2022 while signed with Port Fouad SC in Egypt.
Significant departures: defenders DJ Benton (NCFC), Timmy Mehl (Forward Madison) and Daniel Navarro (NCFC); midfielders Josue Cartagena, José Carrera-García (Fuego FC), Andrés Hernandez (Zamora FC), and Rey Ortiz; forwards (and leading goal scorer) Juan Galindrez, Rafa Mentzingen (NCFC), David Texeria and Jimmie Villalobos (One Knox SC).
The departures represent a loss of 31 out of the 52 goals scored in 2022. The club is relying heavily on a group of new forwards and attacking midfielders going into 2023.
Red Wolves SC X-Factor: on paper, the defense may be as solid if not more than last year with the addition of center-backs Manuel Madrid and Richard Rentería, and right-back Mekeil Williams. If the club stands strong in the back and the offense can click, the club might exceed expectations.
Hailstorm FC: What to Know
Last Result: Hailstorm finished the 2022 season strong with a 2-1 victory over FC Tucson. However, it was too late to sneak into the playoffs, as Charlotte Independence eliminated them on wins after their 5-1 drubbing of NCFC.
Hailstorm FC kicks off an extended seven-match road trip, not hosting until May 27th. They will be looking for a strong start in Chattanooga to kick things off.
Significant returnees from the 2022 squad: goalkeeper Johan Peñaranda; defenders Rob Cornwall, Brecc Evans, Leo Folla, and Arthur Rogers; midfielders Jackson Dietrich, Stefan Lukic, and Destan Norman; forwards Trevor Amann, Marky Hernandez, and lead goal scorer Irvin Parra.
Significant newcomers: goalkeeper Edward Delgado; defender Lucky Opara; midfielder Enock Kwakwa; forwards Marcus Barnes, Donald Benemna, Billy King, Brandon Rosas, and Valentin Sabella.
Rosas signed late in the off-season after a trial period that saw the Mexican forward score two hat tricks.
Significant Departures: Jerry Desdunes, Shane McFaul (retired), Lachlan McLean (retired), Daniel Robles, Daniel Scally, Denso Ulysse.
Hailstorm’s X-Factor: the club is loaded with offensive talent, and coach Éamon Zayed will have a wealth of options on the attack. Pre-season reports indicate that Rosas and Parra are in full form, and the addition of Amann, Hernandez, King, and Norman, backed by league defender of the year Arthur Rogers to this mix should be interesting in regular-season play.
2022 Head to Head
Series draw: 1-1-1
May 7: Red Wolves 4-1 Hailstorm
Red Wolves: Texeira 26′, 51′; Benton 45′; Carrera-Garcia 60′
Hailstorm: Lukic 8’*
June 30: Hailstorm 2-1 Red Wolves
Hailstorm: Robles 20′; Evans 34’*
Red Wolves: Galindrez 61′
July 23: Red Wolves 0-0 Hailstorm
* Players returning in 2023