CHICAGO (November 5, 2023) –
WHAT: The 2023 National Independent Soccer Association playoffs has its Cinderella and its name is Flower City Union. The no. 6 seed forged a surprising 2-4 upset at host and no.3 seed Los Angeles Force last weekend to set up an unlikely semi-final against top seed and League Cup winner Chattanooga FC in Chattanooga. Chattanooga recorded a wire-to-wire run at the top of the table this season.
The hosts earned a bye while the last team into the playoffs earned its first ever playoff win on a brace inside seven minutes by forward Alioune Diakhate. Chattanooga will likely be on its toes to avoid the upset that caught them last year in the semis when it dropped the home match 0-1 to Michigan Stars FC.
It was an interesting series between the clubs in 2023. While Chattanooga didn’t allow a single goal (back-to-back Golden Glove winner Jean Antoine was stingy all season long) in recording three wins and a draw, it also only scored four goals across all ties. Two-time Golden Boot winner Markus Naglestad tallied two of those. Flower City has ratcheted up its scoring with 17 tallies in the last seven matches.
WHO: #1 Chattanooga FC vs. #6 Flower City Union
Sunday, November 5, at 5:00 p.m. ET
Finley Stadium, Chattanooga, Tenn.
WATCH: Livestreamed on the NISA website at https://nisasoccer.com/watch-live as well as on FIFA+ : here