NPSL Top Teams: Undefeated Chattanooga FC
Top NPSL Teams Spotlight: Chattanooga FC — one of NPSL’s top teams — is in first round of National Premier Soccer League playoffs. The NPSL is the country’s largest amateur soccer league with 80 teams competing in the 2016 season.
NPSL Southwest Regional Playoff Steamed LIVE – Game starts at 7:30 PM local time.
Known for fielding a great team and filling their stands with fans, Chattanooga FC — also known as CFC — is one of NPSL leading teams since coming into the league in 2009. Recognized for innovative marketing and an international roster of excellent players, this NPSL team is expertly coached by Bill Elliott, who is also the Head Men’s Coach for University of West Florida. Making it all the way into Round 3 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Chattanooga FC sits on top of the NPSL Southeast Conference and holds the #1 spot in the NPSL Power Rankings.
Soccer News: Chattanooga FC ranks #1 on the NPSL Power Rankings with the best record of all eighty NPSL teams competing this season.
The Numbers: Chattanooga FC’s outstanding record is 9 wins, 1 draws, 0 losses – 28 points, earning 7 shutouts including 6 of last 7 matches and a total of 28 goals scored in all competitions — 20 scored in NPSL play.
Next Match: 2016 NPSL Playoffs South Region Semi-Finals will be played on July 16 when Southeast Conference Champion Chattanooga FC (#1) take on South Central Conference Champion Dutch Lions (#4) and Sunshine Conference Champion Miami United (#3) play South Atlantic Conference Champion Atlanta Silverbacks (#8).
SoccerToday asked Sean McDaniel, General Manager of Chattanooga FC why his team is performing so well and here are his insights:
Diane Scavuzzo: What has made your team so successful?
Sean McDaniel: Deep, talented rosters, an incredible fan base, and a focus on improving the Chattanooga community through the beautiful game has made our team successful.
Diane Scavuzzo: Who are your top goal scorers?
Sean McDaniel: Our top three goal scorers are Luke Winter (6), Will Roberts (4), and Samuel Goni (4).
Diane Scavuzzo: What are your goals for this NPSL season?
Sean McDaniel: To keep playing! Off the pitch, it was important to build from the momentum from last year’s Championship match.
We’re up nearly 1,000 more fans per NPSL match this season and we believe that’s a direct result from our investment in merchandise and advertising well before the season began.
Diane Scavuzzo: Who is your top performing Goalkeeper and what are his strengths?
Sean McDaniel: Our top goalie is Greg Hartley. His strengths are on-pitch leadership, experience — he grew up in Manchester City development system in England — and his quickness as well as his strength.
Diane Scavuzzo: What is the Chattanooga FC’s training schedule?
Sean McDaniel: We train 3 to 5 times per week, depending on match/travel schedule.
Diane Scavuzzo Do you monitor your players nutrition, fitness?
Sean McDaniel: Our team trainer, Robbie Williams, advises our players on how to stay injury-free and healthy, and a surprising amount of our players are very health-conscious when it comes to eating.
Diane Scavuzzo: Do you believe your team could beat a MLS team?
Sean McDaniel: MLS is at a higher playing level than us however, I do feel if we were under a promotion/relegation system, we would have as good as a chance as anybody to keep climbing up the ladder.
Diane Scavuzzo: What is special about your coach’s training, approach, philosophy?
Diane Scavuzzo: How have you used social media this season?
Sean McDaniel: We have really spent a lot more time and energy on social media platforms this year. We expanded to Snapchat in addition to our existing social media — Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.
This year, we have even added a key member to the CFC staff whose sole responsibility is coordinating our press and social media efforts.
Diane Scavuzzo: How important are the fans to your players?
Sean McDaniel: Our supporters group, the Chattahooligans, are absolutely a huge reason why Chattanooga FC generates so much interest in our games. Their passion and enthusiasm becomes infectious towards new fans and creates such an incredible environment for all those that attend a CFC match.
Diane Scavuzzo: What is your average attendance?
Sean McDaniel: Our average attendance is 3,500 during the regular NPSL season and twice that for the post season games.
Diane Scavuzzo: Who is your biggest rival?
Sean McDaniel: We have some great rivalries with all of the Southeast Conference teams. Every team is good!
Winning the Volunteer Shield among all the Tennessee teams this season was something that motivates us within the state.
Related Coverage: NPSL SPOTLIGHT ON CHATTANOOGA FC — Interview with Chattanooga FC from General Manager Sean McDaniel
