Corpus Christi creates multiple second-half chances but comes up empty as the playoff race tightens with four matches remaining.
EAST RIDGE, Tennessee — Corpus Christi FC fell 3-0 to the Chattanooga Red Wolves on Saturday night at CHI Memorial Stadium, as the Sharks were unable to find the back of the net despite generating several dangerous opportunities in the second half.
Mason McCready kept the Sharks within striking distance early, making multiple saves during Chattanooga’s heavy pressure. The Red Wolves eventually broke through in the 27th minute when Pedro Hernandez found the back of the net moments after McCready denied Angelo Kelly.
Chattanooga doubled its advantage in first-half stoppage time when Omar Gómez Tapia headed home from close range off an Eric Kinzner assist.
Corpus Christi created its best chances after halftime. In the 69th minute, Paddy Langlois connected with a Tomas Pondeca cross, but his header ricocheted off the right post. Minutes later, Blake Bowen drew a penalty after being brought down inside the box, but Jake Keegan’s attempt struck the right post and was cleared away.
Moments after the missed penalty, Chattanooga was reduced to 10 men when Eric Kinzner was shown a second yellow card. The Sharks continued to apply pressure, with Dominick Bachstein narrowly missing a one-on-one opportunity in the 86th minute, sending his attempt wide of the right post.
The Sharks continued to push numbers forward through the final whistle in an effort to capitalize on the one-man advantage. Chattanooga, though, would put the match away in the 93rd minute by adding a third goal through Omar Hernandez. McCready would ultimately finish the night with seven saves for the Sharks.
“It came down to moments. The moments in both boxes. That was the difference,” said head coach Eamon Zayed following the match. “Chattanooga took advantage of their big moments from set pieces in our defensive box and we didn’t take our chances attacking in their box. We hit the post three times, missed a penalty and had a few really fantastic opportunities to convert and we didn’t take our chances.”
Sharks midfielder Parker Vasic, who finished with 63 touches, nine duels won and three clearances, echoed his coach’s assessment of a match that saw the Sharks generate opportunities despite the final scoreline.
“I think we knew what they were about coming into the match and had a good understanding of what to expect,” said Vasic. “I thought we had some good moments throughout the game, and sometimes in football the scoreline doesn’t always reflect the performance. We’ll take the positives from it and turn our focus toward the next match.”
Corpus Christi was held without a shot on target for the first time since its May 3 meeting with Spokane Velocity. The Sharks fall to 9-10-9 with 36 points, three points behind eighth-place Fort Wayne FC with four matches remaining.
The Sharks now look ahead to a quick turnaround Wednesday and an opportunity to respond against Fort Wayne, with the two sides separated by just three points in the USL League One standings.
“The mindset is definitely focused on Wednesday and putting this game behind us,” said midfielder Bubu Medina. “Wednesday is a must win in order to still be in playoff contention. There is not a single doubt in this team that we’re not making the playoffs this year.”
| CORPUS CHRISTI FC | CHATTANOOGA RED WOLVES SC | |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | SHOTS | 24 |
| 0 | SHOTS ON TARGET | 10 |
| 7 | SAVES | 1 |
| 14 | FOULS | 17 |
| 3 | CORNERS WON | 7 |
| 1 | YELLOW CARDS | 4 |
| 0 | RED CARDS | 1 |
Written by Corpus Christi FC Communications Contributor Nate Martinez
About Corpus Christi FC
CCFC was established in 2017 by Dr. Kingsley Okonkwo. The club previously played in USL League Two, the nation’s leading pre-professional league, and won their first Lone Star Division title in 2024. That same year, Corpus Christi was awarded a USL League One franchise and will kick off its first professional season in 2026. CCFC is building a new home at the Corpus Christi Multi-Sport Complex currently being constructed at 5102 Old Brownsville Road. Phase One of the $28.3 million complex was completed in summer 2025 and a 5,000-seat stadium, which will serve as home for all of the Sharks’ USL League One home games, is currently under construction.
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