CFC Prepare for Battle of Unbeatens Against Michigan Stars

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Its a battle of the last two unbeaten teams in NISA Saturday, as Chattanooga F-C hosts Michigan. As if the battle of unbeatens wasn’t motivation enough for CFC, Michigan was the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last year. News 12’s Brian Armstrong previews the showdown.

Said head coach Rod Underwood: “We just really try to play against ourselves. We try to push ourselves to be better.”

Chattanooga FC will face its biggest test of the season on Saturday when the Michigan Stars visit for a battle between the last two unbeaten teams in the league.

Said Underwood: In terms of league play, I mean, it’s no different.I mean, the goal is to win every game, everytime we walk on the field and be the best team every time, and that’s the same goal.Our goal is not we don’t control the outcome.All we control is can we go out and give our effort?Can we go out there and be positive and be good teammates and show good leadership and show the culture of the club?Those are things that we can do,but we can’t control the outcome.

Said striker Markus Naglestad: “Offensively, we’re probably maybe similar.I think defensively we’re definitely a lot stronger, soit definitely helps having them in the back.Chattanooga moved its undefeated streak to eleven with a three nothing win over La Force on July 1.

Said Underwood: “We respect all of our opponents and we prepare for opponents,but the goal is, how do we get 1% better?That’s a key phrase for us, how do we get 1% better?

CFC sits atop the table, but Michigan has only played half their game so far, and they were the team that knocked out CFC of the playoffs last year.

Said Naglestad:”They won the championship last year, so that’s a bit extra motivation.And I felt like we had a good chance of being the last year and they ended up getting the better of us.So we definitely played a win”

Said Underwood: “The opponent is irrelevant.Michigan is having a good year.All respect to them, all respect to what they did last year, but we’re focused on what we’re going to do.”

Match time is 7:30 Saturday at Fort Finley.