Shavar Thomas and CT United FC returned to action as they traveled to Finley Stadium to square off against fellow independent side Chattanooga FC.
Thomas made three changes from the lineup that secured a 3-1 victory over FC Cincinnati 2 on opening day. Anthony Ramos made his first start in goal behind the backline of Andre Applewhaite, Lukas Kamrath, Nelson Rodriguez, and Hivan Kouonang. Newcomer Dylan Lacey, Steven Sserwadda, and Robbie Mora formed the midfield three behind the attacking trio of Alex Monis, Ibrahim Kasule, and Barnabas Tanyi.
Connecticut’s first big chance came in the 19th minute when a corner kick led to Andre Applewhaite getting on the end of a loose ball and drilling it to the right side of the net that forced reigning MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Year Eldin Jakupović to stretch wide and make the save before diving on the rebound. Then some miscommunication from Chattanooga paid dividends for CT United in the 21st minute.
After driving the ball forward, Andre Applewhaite lost the ball atop the box. A flurry of bodies in front of him blinded Jakupović, who advanced off his line. Kasule took full advantage as he chipped the loose ball over the sea of bodies and into the net to score his second goal in as many games to give CT United FC an early 1-0 lead.
That lead evaporated instantly as miscommunication from CT after a tackle led Chattanooga to send the ball upfield to Tate Robinson, who found himself one-on-one with Ramos and slotted it home to level the game at one apiece in the 23rd minute.
Chattanooga had a chance to find the lead in the 29th minute when a deflected ball across the middle found Alex McGrath, who attempted to slot the ball home but had his chance denied by Ramos. Robinson got on the end of the rebounded save and looked to find his second goal on the day, but had his efforts blocked by Mora.
In the 37th minute, Mora’s square pass along the backline lacked juice as Alex McGrath pounced onto the loose ball, drove at the net, and drilled the ball past Ramos to give Chattanooga a 2-1 lead. Chattanooga stretched the lead further in the 41st minute after Alex Krehl got on the end of a ball from Yves Tcheuyap, drove toward goal, and chipped the ball over Ramos and into the net to give the home side the 3-1 lead.
Connecticut’s woes continued in the 57th minute when Krehl got under Robertson’s corner kick and headed the ball past Ramos and into the net to give Chattanooga a 4-1 lead.
Thomas’ first changes came at halftime as Daniel D’Ippolito and Laurie Goddard replaced Applewhaite and Kasule. Another change came in the 58th minute as Rickson Van Hees replaced Kouonang.
Connecticut clawed its way back into the game when a long ball to D’Ippolito on the left flank led D’Ippolito to slotting the ball centrally to a debuting Lacey, who turned and curled a shot to the right side and in to shrink Chattanooga’s lead to two.
But despite their valiant attempts, CT United FC was unable to claw its way back into the game as the club suffered its first loss following a 4-2 defeat on the road to Chattanooga.
Connecticut will look to get back into the win column on March 15 when it travels to Subaru Park to take on Philadelphia Union II at 3 PM ET.
