CHATTANOOGA (November 5, 2023) –

WHAT:    Alioune Diakhate fit the glass slipper and Flower City Union upset League Cup holders and host Chattanooga FC on penalties 0-0 (0-2) in the second National Independent Soccer Association semi-final match here. Flower City now travels to Michigan for the title match Saturday, Nov. 11, at 3:30 pm ET. The defending champion Michigan Stars FC topped no. 4 seed ALBION San Diego yesterday 3-2 in Michigan.

Coming into the match, Chattanooga boasted the league’s top keeper, Golden Glove winner (back-to-back) Jean Antoine. But time after time – if it wasn’t a post or a crossbar – Flower City keeper Michael Mejia was in the way of a victory from the run of play.

During the penalties, Mejia’s role as hero continued stopping two of the four Chattanooga kicks with the other two hitting the crossbar. Flower City’s Noah Cavanaugh also tallied in penalties.

To get here, the hosts earned a quarterfinals bye while Flower City earned its first ever playoff win against Los Angeles Force 2-4.

The title match will be livestreamed on the NISA website at https://nisasoccer.com/watch-live as well as on FIFA+