Chattanooga FC Goals: Krehl 31’, Sorenson 86’, Cohen 90+7’
New York City FC II Goals: Arroyave 53’
Quick Read
New York City FC II’s 2026 season came to a close in the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference quarterfinals, as the Boys in Blue fell to a 3-1 playoff defeat to Chattanooga FC. Jacob Arroyave’s second-half strike had canceled out Alex Krehl’s opener, but late goals from Anton Sorenson and Yuval Cohen sent the hosts through to the last eight at Finley Stadium.
Match Recap
With a first-ever playoff win and a place in the Conference semifinals up for grabs, both teams were looking to make history in Tennessee.
New York had clinched a postseason date on Decision Day, defeating the Philadelphia Union 2 on penalties to secure a sixth-placed finish in the East.
Hosts Chattanooga enjoyed a record-breaking season, completing the campaign in second spot, powered by their exceptional 10-2-2 home record. Earning home-field advantage in their playoff debut, Richard Dixon’s side opted to face New York in the Pick-Your-Opponent Full Show.
With almost a month having passed since then, both sides had plenty of time to ponder over how to approach this encounter against an unfamiliar foe - the pair having only met on three occasions in the past three seasons. Sunday’s hosts emerged victorious from this year’s lone clash with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out win, following a 1-1 draw at Belson Stadium in June.
Taking charge of his second playoff campaign, New York Head Coach Matt Pilkington made just one change to the side that defeated Philadelphia on the final day, as Arroyave replaced Drew Kerr.
Meanwhile, Dixon opted to make two changes from the Chattanooga side that triumphed over the Chicago Fire FC II last time out, with Isaiah Jones and Alexis Arrua coming in for Luke Husakiwsky and Alex McGrath.
Eager to find an early breakthrough, New York put the home side under immediate pressure, as the in-form Máximo Carrizo carved the game’s first chance inside two minutes, firing into the side netting from a tight angle.
Leading the line upfront, Arroyave let fly on 11’, looking to make his mark early on - but saw his shot also skew the wrong side of the near post.
Max Murray also fired off-target, and Carrizo smashed high and wide, as the visitors continued to push for the opener.
Chances were limited at the other end. Adonis Campos’ brave block deflected Daniel Mangarov’s fierce drive, while Damien Barker-John smashed a long-range effort over the bar - but the home side would find the breakthrough shortly after the half-hour mark.
The opening goal arrived, courtesy of a set-piece. As the hosts enjoyed a spell of pressure, another Barker-John effort was deflected wide. The resulting corner was swung into the back post by Mangarov and Golden Boot runner-up Krehl nodded in his 19th goal of the season from close range.
New York rallied for a leveler before halftime, forcing Eldin Jakupović into his first save of the game. After Peter Molinari collected a loose ball, a well-worked move from right to left saw Carrizo find Jonathan Lopez, who struck a curling effort goalward. The strike was spilled by the Chattanooga shot-stopper into the path of Kevin Pierre - but the rebound was blocked.
Fresh from their halftime teamtalk, New York dominated the early exchanges of the second period, and found an equalizer eight minutes after the restart.
A long ball down the right looked to be comfortable for defender Nathan Koehler to deal with, as the Chattanooga center back played back to his goalkeeper - but an awkward bounce forced a panicked Jakupović to parry, and Arroyave pounced to drill the ball home with a fine first-time finish.
As both sides pressed for a winner, the game opened up with plenty of goalmouth action at both ends.
There was a heart-in-mouth moment on 62’ as Barker-John struck the crossbar. Latching onto Tate Robinson’s cross to the far post, the midfielder nutmegged Lopez and clipped the ball over Mac Learned and onto the woodwork. With the ball still alive, the winger lunged to head home but was unable to convert, and Learned gathered.
Netting nine goals this term, Cooper Flax topped New York’s scoring charts, and went in search of his 10th of the campaign with two quickfire strikes. Jakupović was equal to both.
At the other end, Learned had to be alert to keep out Anthony García’s piledriver, and then clear the danger from a wicked corner delivery.
With 12 minutes of normal time remaining, Pilkington introduced Kerr for Flax, hoping to spark a little more creativity from the club’s top assist-maker.
It would be the home side who would carve the killer opening however, with a well-worked move down the left-hand side with four minutes left on the clock.
Turning his marker and bursting forward, Robertson released Garcia on the wing. The ball was cut back for Sorenson, who took a touch before slotting the ball into the far corner, sparking dramatic scenes at Finley Stadium.
In response, Pilkington brought on Joseph Suchecki and Kevin Pierre, and threw Learned forward for two late set-pieces in injury time - but the chances came to nothing, and with the goal unguarded, Chattanooga made sure of the win in the game’s final action, as Cohen raced clear on the counterattack and slid into the empty net to complete the scoring.
How We Lined Up
