Chattanooga FC trailed 2-0 after 17 minutes on Sunday. By the final whistle, they had won the Eastern Conference title and become the first independent club to reach the MLS NEXT Pro Cup.
The comeback
Columbus Crew 2 started fast at Finley Stadium. Chase Adams, a YSC-ranked 2008 prospect, scored in the 12th minute, and Kevin Gbamblé doubled the lead in the 17th.
Captain Alex McGrath pulled one back in first-half stoppage time. Damien Barker John equalized in the 71st minute. Then, in the fifth minute of stoppage time, Farid Sar-Sar headed in Tate Robertson's cross to win it 3-2.
Sar-Sar has played for Chattanooga in all three of its MLS NEXT Pro seasons. It was his third goal of the year, and he was named Man of the Match.
LAFC2's road run
Chattanooga's opponent has been just as surprising. LAFC2, the No. 6 seed in the West and the lowest seed ever to reach the final, won the Western Conference Final 1-0 at Ventura County FC on Oct. 30.
Marius Aiyenero scored the winner in the 63rd minute from Charlie Kosakoff's pass, and goalkeeper Ethan Scally made six saves. It was LAFC2's third straight playoff win on the road, after beating Houston Dynamo 2 on penalties and knocking out top-seeded Austin FC II.
The final
Chattanooga FC vs. LAFC2
Sunday, Nov. 8, 6 p.m. ET
Finley Stadium, Chattanooga
It's the first final for both clubs. For LAFC2, it's a shot at sending young players to the first team with a title behind them. For Chattanooga, it's a chance to prove an independent club can win it all.
Sources: MLS NEXT Pro, Local 3 News, LAFC
