History
On August 1, 2018, it was announced by the United Soccer League that Chattanooga would be granted a side to play in their newly created third division for 2019. [2] A month later, on September 11, 2018, the club announced their first head coach, Tim Hankinson. [6] The club then officially announced their name, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, on September 25, 2018. [7]
On November 21, 2019, the Red Wolves announced Jimmy Obleda as their new head coach and technical director. [8]
In 2019, the Chattanooga Lady Red Wolves won the WPSL Southeastern Conference Title. [9]
On June 8, 2021, CRWSC announced that the Lady Red Wolves would join the newly created USL W League as a founding member and begin play in 2022. [10]
During the 2021 USL League One Season, Chattanooga set the USL League One Record for longest undefeated streak at 15 matches. [11] The team finished the season with in 3rd place with 44 points and a 11-11-6 record. Chattanooga proceeded to defeat North Texas SC in the USL League One Quarterfinals before falling to Greenville Triumph in extra time in the Semifinals. [12]
After the WPSL Southeastern Conference went on hiatus for the 2020 season due to COVID-19, the Chattanooga Lady Red Wolves went on to repeat a WPSL Southeastern Conference Champions in 2021. [13]
During the 2022 USL League One Season, Chattanooga broken the USL League One Record for most goals in a game after dismantling Charlotte Independence 7-1. The result also broke the record for the most goals scored in a single match in the 44-year history of professional soccer in Tennessee. The Red Wolves topped the 42-year-old record of six goals scored in a single match by the North American Soccer League's Memphis Rogues in 1980. [14]
On July 22, 2022, coach Obleda was placed on a provisional suspension pending the results of an investigation into allegations of misconduct brought forth by the USL Players Association. [15] The United Soccer League Players Association lost confidence in the Chattanooga Red Wolves handling of the investigation, and filed a report with the U.S. Center for SafeSport asking them to investigate. [16]
2022 saw Chattanooga make its deepest playoff run yet. Chattanooga advanced to the Semifinals of the USL League One Playoffs for the second consecutive season, downing defending champion Union Omaha 1-0 after extra time in front of a packed CHI Memorial Stadium. [17] They then went on to beat the USL League One Regular Season Champions Richmond Kickers on the road 1-0, putting Chattanooga in its first ever final. [18] Chattanooga then took on South Georgia Tormenta in the 2022 USL League One Final but ultimately fell short losing 1-2. [19]
On December 14, 2022, the Red Wolves announced Jeff "Ziggy" Korytowski as their new head coach [20]
In 2019, the Red Wolves' trademark application was opposed by Arkansas State University. [21] On September 18, 2023, the USPTO Trademark Trial and Appeal Board ruled in favor of Arkansas State University and sustained their opposition. [22]
Owner
In coordination with the United Soccer League, Robert "Bob" Martino founded the Chattanooga Red Wolves Soccer Club in 2018 [23] and is currently developing the amenities surrounding the state’s first professional soccer stadium, CHI Memorial Stadium, totaling a $150 million investment in the area. [24] In addition to the Red Wolves professional franchise in Chattanooga, Martino is the owner of the Park City Red Wolves [25] and the Dalton Red Wolves, both members of the USL League Two division. [23]
Martino’s portfolio includes significant real estate investment and development, as well as construction of residential properties and mixed-use communities. In Utah, Martino has developed and redeveloped office space, medical offices, multi-family housing and commercial space, as well as sports-related complexes for soccer and golf. [26]
Martino is a graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in accounting and is married to wife, Lana, with whom he has three sons. [26]
Stadium
On April 25, 2019, the club announced plans for a new soccer-specific stadium for the team in the Chattanooga suburb of East Ridge, Tennessee which will be part of a 100-acre, $125 million development including hotels, condominiums, apartments, retail shops, restaurants and convention space. [27]
On March 5, 2020, the Red Wolves announced that CHI Memorial Hospital, a part of the Catholic Health Initiatives hospital system, would be the name sponsor for the stadium. [28]
In spring of 2021, construction of the stadium’s jumbotron [29] [30] was complete. [31] The 33’ X 62’ screen features in-game scoring and statistics, live video feeds and instant replays. CHI Memorial Stadium’s Executive Club and Sky Suites building, which will include eight suites and a restaurant-bar, are currently under construction. [32]
