Chattanooga FC Beats LAFC 2 1-0 for First MLS NEXT Pro Cup Before Record 10,228 Fans
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Chattanooga FC beat LAFC 2 1-0 on November 8 at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee, to win the MLS NEXT Pro Cup for the first time, before a record Cup crowd of 10,228.
The only goal came in the 31st minute, when Damien Barker John scored from outside the box. Barker John, who finished the playoffs with two goals and one assist, tied with teammate Alex Krehl for the club's most goal contributions in the postseason, was named Cup MVP. He was a 2023 MLS SuperDraft pick by Real Salt Lake.
LAFC 2 thought it had equalized in the 86th minute on a Marius Aiyenero bicycle kick, but the goal was ruled offside. Chattanooga goalkeeper Eldin Jakupović preserved the clean sheet.
Chattanooga FC is the first independent club — not an MLS club's second team — to win the MLS NEXT Pro Cup, doing so in just its third season in the league under head coach Richard Dixon. It is the third Eastern Conference champion to win the title in the league's five seasons. Its playoff run included 3-1 wins over New York City FC II and CT United FC and a 3-2 comeback from two goals down against Columbus Crew 2 in the Eastern Conference final.
LAFC 2 reached the final as the Western Conference's No. 6 seed, the lowest seed ever to reach the Cup final, after three straight road playoff upsets. The previous Cup champions were Columbus Crew 2 (2022), Austin FC II (2023), North Texas SC (2024) and New York Red Bulls II (2025). (Source: MLS NEXT Pro)
Source: MLS NEXT Pro
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：查塔努加 Finley Stadium 外景（资料照片）。WWing7990 摄，公共领域，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: Finley Stadium in Chattanooga (file photo). By WWing7990, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
