PREVIEW: NATIONAL MATCHUP OF THE WEEK

South Region: Southeast Conference – Peachtree Division

Friday, June 27

7 p.m. (EDT)

Decatur High School

Decatur, Ga.

Watch Live or In-Demand on the National Soccer Network

The top two teams in the Peachtree Division square off tonight in the National Soccer Network National Matchup of the Week when Peachtree Division champions DECATUR FC (7-0-0) hosts Chattanooga FC (4-1-1). 

A huge crowd is expected at Decatur High School to celebrate DECATUR FC’s first Peachtree Division title with a 2-0 win over Georgia Impact last Friday. This regular season finale for both clubs. DECATUR FC secured the club’s first Peachtree Division title with a 2-0 win over Georgia Impact last Friday. 

“Winning the conference championship is huge for us. It really shows how much hard work everyone has put in, from the players and coaches on the field to the staff working behind the scenes,” Joel Gould, DECATUR FC general manager, said. 

This is the second meeting between the two clubs. In the first meeting, DECATUR FC escaped the imposing Finley Stadium with a 2-1 win behind early goals by Maggie Wadsworth (Mississippi State University 2022- ) and Dylan Driver (Auburn University 2022- ). Reese McDermott scored for Chattanooga at the hour mark to make it 2-1. 

“Tonight’s match is an important one for our club. At Chattanooga FC, we strive to consistently compete against top-level opponents, and this game is another great opportunity to showcase the growth of our club and the talent within our city, Juan Hernandez, Chattanooga FC head coach, said. “Our last meeting with Decatur was a highly competitive matchup, and we are looking forward to the challenge once again tonight."

Chattanooga FC enters tonight’s match coming off an emphatic 5-1 win at Atlanta Fire United on Tuesday night. McDermott tallied a first half hat trick for Chattanooga in the match, making her the Peachtree Division’s leading scorer with eight goals. Kennedy Ball (University of Arkansas 2023- ) and Annick Lolita Manga Zouma added goals in the win. 

Wadsworth and Driver are DECATUR’s top two goal scorers. Wadsworth leads the club with six goals on the season, followed by Driver with four. A total of 11 players account for DECATUR’s 

Chattanooga leads the division on the defensive side of the ball, allowing just five goals. Goalkeepers Maddie Smith and Kyleigh Hall shared duties posting a collective .71 goal against average. 

DECATUR is No. 2 in the division on defense, having conceded seven goals over seven games. Nicole Bidum started every game this season for DECATUR in goal so far.