Chattanooga Football Club, an independent soccer club founded in 2009, announced Tuesday that it is joining MLS NEXT Pro beginning in 2024.
Launched in 2022 by Major League Soccer, MLS NEXT Pro is a professional men’s soccer league that will field 29 teams in 2024. Twenty-seven of those are affiliated with MLS clubs like Atlanta United, Inter Miami and Columbus Crew, plus independent clubs Chattanooga FC and Carolina Core.
“In order for us to fulfill our mission at an even higher level, we believe now is the time to join the MLS enterprise and MLS NEXT Pro,” said Alton Byrd, chief executive officer of CFC. “We are fully committed to the development of our players, staff, and the greater Chattanooga community.”
The club previously competed in the National Independent Soccer Association, which fielded nine teams in 2023. Former Dalton High School standout Damian Rodriguez joined the clubin 2021 and was recently announced to be returning on the 2024 roster for CFC.
“As mayor and a co-founder of the club, I am thrilled at today’s announcement,” said Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly. “Chattanooga’s club will gain a huge measure of stability and credibility, playing quality opponents in quality facilities with quality officiating and broadcasting, and CFC will once again be able to reignite regional rivalries our fans enjoyed for many years. And we will do so while maintaining our independence and the ideals that made us who we are as one of the premier community clubs in the U.S.”
“Since its founding, Chattanooga FC has been a pillar in the community through its efforts both on and off the field. We are thrilled to welcome the Club to our League.” said Charles Altchek, President of MLS NEXT Pro. “We look forward to partnering with Davis Grizzard and making a significant and lasting impact in Chattanooga and the Tennessee Valley.
“In our history, every time we’ve needed them, our supporters have stood up for CFC,” said CFC primary owner and board vice-chairman Davis Grizzard. “We know that partnering with MLS NEXT Pro will put more eyes on our community now than ever before. As they’ve done for every major milestone in this club’s past, we’re excited to see our fans celebrate this next chapter.”
Preseason for Chattanooga Football Club is scheduled to begin in January with the regular season to begin in March.
The majority of MLS NEXT Pro games are broadcast live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.