U.S. Open Cup Returns to Scenic City: Chattanooga FC and Richard Dixon Prepare for Major Test
MLS NEXT Pro’s Chattanooga FC will host an MLS side in official competition for the first time when Atlanta United FC comes to town
For nearly two decades, Chattanooga FC has been one of the standard bearers for lower-division clubs in the United States. The club dominated the amateur National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) for over a decade before making the jump to the professional ranks of the third-division National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) in 2019 and later MLS NEXT Pro in 2024.
Even after racking up plenty of accolades since its inception in 2009—eight NPSL conference crowns, four NISA Independent Cup region trophies, three NPSL region titles, a NISA regular season championship in 2023 and the United States Adult Soccer Association’s Hank Steinbrecher Cup in 2015—one thing has eluded CFC: a deep run in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
In its 11th tournament appearance, Chattanooga has advanced to the Round of 32 for the first time in club history after sinking a pair of amateur United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) opponents in Kalonji Pro-Profile in the First Round and Tennessee Tempo FC in the Second Round. Next up: hosting a Major League Soccer (MLS) side in a competitive match at Finley Stadium for the first time in club history.
The Boys in Blue are set to face 2019 Open Cup winners and 2018 MLS Cup champions Atlanta United FC on Wednesday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. ET (Paramount+). Chattanooga is led by recently appointed interim head coach Richard Dixon, a longtime defender for both CFC and a host of other lower-division professional sides.
Chattanooga interim head coach Richard Dixon | Image Credit: Chattanooga FC
“If I could put it into one word, the Open Cup means opportunity. Not often does a third-division club get to play a first-division club in competition,” said Dixon. “We play friendlies here and there, but the context is not the same. For a club like us, it's the opportunity to put ourselves out there and say that yes, we can compete and we're capable of advancing to the next round against big teams. For players, it's the opportunity to showcase themselves and see how they match up against players of that caliber.
“For Chattanooga FC, it's the same—to show that yes, we're a small club in the third division, but we want to be competitive, and we want to go out and showcase who we are as a club and as a city. Our fans are going to show up. Our city is going to show up for us—there's no question about that. So, it's opportunity all around, just from different perspectives: players, coaches, club and city.”
While the contest marks a landmark moment as an MLS side ventures to Fort Finley in official competition, the opponent is not too foreign to both CFC and Dixon alike.
Separated by just over 100 miles, Chattanooga and Atlanta have faced off five times over the past decade. Notably, Chattanooga FC hosted Atlanta United in the latter’s first match, a preseason friendly at Finley Stadium in 2017. Aside from four preseason friendlies, the lone matchup in official competition took place in the 2022 Open Cup, a 6-0 Third Round victory for Atlanta in Kennesaw, Ga.
Atlanta United defeated Chattanooga FC in the Third Round of the 2022 U.S. Open Cup | Image Credit: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The 36-year-old Dixon does have some first-hand experience in dealing with both Atlanta United and its fellow MLS counterparts. The former defender—CFC’s inaugural professional signing back in 2020—has faced MLS teams both as a player in the Open Cup and as a coach on Chattanooga’s technical staff.
As a player, Dixon went the full 90 minutes for USL Championship side OKC Energy FC in a narrow 3-2 loss against the Colorado Rapids in 2017 before representing Chattanooga in that loss to Atlanta United in 2022. As a coach, Dixon served as CFC’s Director of Performance and played a role in Chattanooga’s victory against Atlanta in preseason action back in 2025.
“For me, having played in these games several times, it's always a great feeling, because as a player you think, ‘This is my time to shine and really showcase myself against a first-division team,’” Dixon explained. “Players are always up for these games, always ready to put themselves in the shop window. The veterans who have been through it know how difficult these games can be. The newer players don't know what to expect—some are nervous, some are unsure. Getting them to understand that yes, this is a big game for the club and the city, but it's also a big game for them personally—that's important. This is why we play the game: to give guys opportunities to get to the next level. Part of that is exposure to teams at the next level, and there's no better opportunity for that than the Open Cup.”
Captain Richard Dixon during his playing days with CFC | Image Credit: Chattanooga FC
With a high-stakes test coming to Finley Stadium, Dixon is confident in the support of the city and credits Chattanoogans as a key component in CFC’s prolonged success.
“What makes Chattanooga special—number one—is the people. That's what kept me in Chattanooga,” Dixon shared. “It's a tight-knit community where everybody is friendly and people genuinely care about you, your well-being and who you are. That's not typical when you travel around the U.S., especially in the football context.
“The people, the community and the authenticity—our fans are very authentic, very proud of their club, very proud of the city and very proud to represent the club. They show up in the rain, in the sunshine, in the snow, through thick and thin. It's a very committed and proud supporter group.”
Led by raucous supporters’ groups like the Chattahooligans, CFC has boasted fervent fan support through the years, spanning three unique leagues and numerous competitions. The club has routinely drawn crowds that are often the highest amongst fellow third-division sides, notably recording attendances of 18,227 against New York Cosmos B in the 2015 NPSL National Championship, approximately 12,400 against MLS expansion club Atlanta United in a preseason friendly, and 12,131 against cross-city foe Chattanooga Red Wolves SC in the Second Round of the 2025 Open Cup.
Chattanooga fans supporting Richard Dixon | Image Credit: Chattanooga FC
Since being appointed to the interim role just over two months ago, Dixon has led the Boys in Blue to a 5-2-1 record across all competitions. Ahead of his side’s biggest test to date, Dixon remains full of pride and appreciation, reflecting on where he is and what comes next for the club.
“To go from being the first signing and then to captain to now being in the head coaching role—I couldn't have scripted it this way, to be honest. It's very special,” Dixon said. “[Chattanooga] holds a special place in my heart, and I'm committed to continuing to build the game in the community and continuing to progress the standards here at the club.
“This is the beauty of the Open Cup, and the beauty of football. We all grew up as kids wanting to be at the next level, wanting to be a professional. And without opportunities, those dreams aren't alive. For the Open Cup to give a club like ours the opportunity to showcase ourselves and measure up against the big boys, that's pretty special. We're looking forward to the game.”