CHATTANOOGA — It’s said “to be the best, you have to beat the best.”
And Huntsville City FC did just that Sunday with a pair of goals against the league’s top goalkeeper in a 2-0 win over Chattanooga FC in the first round of the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs.
In their first-ever playoff game, HCFC was facing MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Year Eldin Jakupović but didn’t shy away from the challenge.
Huntsville City had 13 shots, including 6 on net, to keep the homestanding CFC off balance.
Meanwhile, Christian Koffi scored his 11th goal of the season and assisted on Philip Mayaka’s first-half goal while goalkeeper Brian Schwake recorded a clean sheet of his own in the win.
MLS NEXT Pro is expected to announce the quarterfinal matchups today.
On Sunday, Mayaka got things off on the right foot, literally, for the orange-clad Boys in Blue late in the first half.
Koffi carried the ball along the left touchline and crossed it in front of the goal to Mayaka. With space in the box, Mayaka put it past Jakupović for the 1-0 lead just before halftime. It was Mayaka’s third goal of the season.
Then, at the 76-minute mark it was Koffi’s turn to score.
Taking a pass from Tyshawn Rose, Koffi moved up the side and crossed to the front of the goal. As Jakupović moved to his left, Koffi directed the ball to the right of the goalkeeper and into the net.
Chattanooga had a few more scoring chances in the physical end of the second half but Schwake held them off the board in recording the historic win.
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