Chattanooga Red Wolves SC Overview
Chattanooga Red Wolves Soccer Club, commonly known as the Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, is a professional soccer club based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States. The club competes in USL League One, the third division of American men’s soccer, and was a founding member of the league when it launched competition in 2019. The Red Wolves play their home matches at CHI Memorial Stadium, Tennessee’s first professional soccer-specific stadium, with a seating capacity of 5,500. Beyond the senior team, the club operates the Chattanooga Lady Red Wolves in the USL W League, as well as the Dalton Red Wolves and Park City Red Wolves in USL League Two.
Owned by Utah real estate developer Robert “Bob” Martino, the Red Wolves have built a reputation for record-breaking performances on the field and ambitious infrastructure off it. The club is led on the technical side by head coach and technical director Scott Mackenzie, with Patrick Mashburn serving as general manager. Since its founding, the organization has expanded into a multi-team soccer operation, investing heavily in stadium development, youth pathways, and community presence across Tennessee.
Founding and Organizational Origins
Chattanooga Red Wolves SC was announced on August 1, 2018, when the United Soccer League granted Chattanooga a franchise in its newly created third-division league, later branded as USL League One. The club began play in the 2019 season, joining a wave of expansion teams that signaled the league’s intent to grow professional soccer across smaller American markets. Robert “Bob” Martino, a Utah-based real estate developer and construction company owner, founded the organization and financed the early stages of its growth.
The club officially revealed its name, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, on September 25, 2018, after months of preparation around the new franchise. Tim Hankinson was named as the team’s first head coach during that initial period, providing early technical leadership. From the start, Martino’s vision extended beyond the senior squad, laying the groundwork for a multi-club structure that would eventually include women’s and developmental teams across Tennessee and Utah.
Growth Into USL League One Competition
From its first season, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC committed to building a complete soccer operation, beginning with the establishment of a soccer-specific home venue. On April 25, 2019, the club unveiled plans for a new stadium in the Chattanooga suburb of East Ridge, Tennessee, as part of a sprawling 100-acre, $125 million development that included hotels, condominiums, apartments, retail shops, restaurants, and convention space. This bold real estate project set the tone for the franchise’s identity as both a sporting and community development organization.
On March 5, 2020, the Red Wolves secured a major commercial partnership when CHI Memorial Hospital, part of the Catholic Health Initiatives hospital system, agreed to be the naming sponsor for the new stadium. Construction milestones followed, including the completion of a large stadium jumbotron in spring 2021 and the build-out of an Executive Club and Sky Suites building featuring eight suites and a restaurant-bar. By the 2024 season, the club had invested approximately $2 million into CHI Memorial Stadium, replacing its synthetic turf with a new natural grass pitch to elevate the match-day experience.
Chattanooga Red Wolves SC Competitive Journey
Since entering USL League One in 2019, the Chattanooga Red Wolves have grown from an expansion side into a consistent playoff contender in the third tier of American men’s soccer. The club’s competitive arc has been marked by record-setting performances, deep postseason runs, and evolving leadership on the touchline. After early seasons focused on establishing identity, the Red Wolves emerged as one of the league’s most dangerous attacking teams.
Early Seasons and Development (2019–2020)
The Red Wolves’ first years in USL League One were dedicated to building a foundation on and off the field. The organization launched its senior squad, established a coaching staff, and began laying the groundwork for the construction of CHI Memorial Stadium. On November 21, 2019, the club announced Jimmy Obleda as its new head coach and technical director, signaling a renewed focus on competitive direction. These formative seasons allowed the front office to refine its roster-building approach and cultivate a growing fan base in the Chattanooga market.
Breakthrough in USL League One (2021–2022)
During the 2021 USL League One Season, Chattanooga set the league record for the longest undefeated streak at 15 matches, demonstrating the team’s ability to compete at a high level week after week. The Red Wolves finished the season in third place with 44 points and an 11-11-6 record, then defeated North Texas SC in the Quarterfinals before falling to Greenville Triumph in extra time in the Semifinals. That playoff run marked the club’s first real taste of postseason success and established it as a rising force in the league.
The 2022 season delivered even more historic moments. Chattanooga broke the USL League One record for most goals in a game after dismantling Charlotte Independence 7–1, a result that also set the record for the most goals scored in a single match in the 44-year history of professional soccer in Tennessee, surpassing the six-goal mark set by the North American Soccer League’s Memphis Rogues in 1980. That year, the Red Wolves made their deepest playoff run yet, advancing to the USL League One Final after knocking off defending champion Union Omaha 1–0 in extra time and then beating Regular Season Champions Richmond Kickers 1–0 on the road. Chattanooga ultimately fell 1–2 to South Georgia Tormenta in the 2022 USL League One Final, finishing as runners-up in the league.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2023–Present)
On July 22, 2022, head coach Jimmy Obleda was placed on a provisional suspension pending the results of an investigation into allegations of misconduct brought forth by the USL Players Association. The United Soccer League Players Association later filed a report with the U.S. Center for SafeSport asking them to investigate, after losing confidence in the club’s handling of the matter. On December 14, 2022, the Red Wolves announced Jeff “Ziggy” Korytowski as their new head coach, ushering in a new era for the program.
On July 31, 2023, Scott Mackenzie was named interim head coach after previous interim coach Jimmy Weekley was placed on medical leave. On October 5, 2023, Mackenzie was named full-time head coach and technical director, removing his interim tag. In 2025, the Red Wolves finished second in USL League One and reached the Quarter-finals of the playoffs. The club also played in the U.S. Open Cup, winning the first Chattanooga derby against Chattanooga FC on penalties at Finley Stadium in front of 12,131 spectators, the second-highest attendance for a second-round match in U.S. Open Cup history, before being eliminated in the fourth round by eventual champion Nashville SC, 1–0 at Geodis Park.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
The Chattanooga Red Wolves have built their identity around attacking soccer, defensive resilience during long unbeaten runs, and a willingness to invest in infrastructure that supports long-term success. The club’s record-breaking goal-scoring performances and lengthy undefeated streaks suggest a team that thrives on confidence, fitness, and tactical flexibility under pressure. Backed by Martino’s continued financial commitment, the Red Wolves combine ambitious stadium investment with a clear multi-team developmental pipeline.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
Key milestones for the Red Wolves include the 2021 USL League One record for the longest undefeated streak at 15 matches, the 2022 record-setting 7–1 victory over Charlotte Independence, the 2022 USL League One Final appearance, the opening of CHI Memorial Stadium, and the 2025 Chattanooga derby victory in the U.S. Open Cup that drew the second-highest second-round attendance in tournament history. The 2024 installation of a natural grass pitch at a cost of approximately $2 million also marked a significant investment in the long-term quality of the match environment.
Chattanooga Red Wolves SC Achievements and Results
The Chattanooga Red Wolves have built a strong résumé since their 2019 debut, highlighted by league records, deep playoff runs, and a finals appearance in 2022. While the club has not yet secured a USL League One championship, its consistent postseason presence and historic statistical performances place it among the most accomplished teams in the league’s short history.
USL League One Achievements
The Red Wolves’ most notable league achievement is their appearance in the 2022 USL League One Final, where they finished as runners-up after a 1–2 loss to South Georgia Tormenta. Along the way, they defeated defending champion Union Omaha and Regular Season Champions Richmond Kickers in the Semifinals and Quarterfinals, respectively. The club also holds the USL League One record for the longest undefeated streak, set at 15 matches during the 2021 season, and the record for most goals in a single match, set at seven against Charlotte Independence in 2022.
Conference Achievements
Across USL League One’s conference structure, the Chattanooga Red Wolves have recorded multiple top-three regular-season finishes, including a third-place finish in 2021 with 44 points and a second-place finish in 2025. These results have positioned the club among the league’s elite sides in multiple seasons and reflect consistent competitive stability since its 2019 debut.
Divisional Achievements
Operating as a single-division league, USL League One does not feature traditional divisional play. The Red Wolves’ divisional-equivalent success can be measured through their overall league standings, with the club regularly finishing among the top teams in the regular season table. The 2022 postseason in particular demonstrated the club’s ability to compete against every conference rival, including victories over defending champions and regular-season title holders en route to the final.
Series Achievements
Beyond the senior team, the Chattanooga Lady Red Wolves won the WPSL Southeastern Conference Title in 2019 and repeated as WPSL Southeastern Conference Champions in 2021. The Lady Red Wolves later became a founding member of the newly created USL W League, beginning play in 2022. The Dalton Red Wolves and Park City Red Wolves, both operated under Martino’s ownership, compete in USL League Two, completing the club’s multi-tier developmental structure.