If you were watching the U.S. Open Cup back in March 2025, you know that some games just feel weird from the opening whistle. The NJ Alliance vs Chattanooga Red Wolves SC match was exactly that kind of chaos. It was a classic "Cupset" alert that almost went all the way, a cold Tuesday night at Lubetkin Field that probably gave both coaching staffs a few new grey hairs.
Soccer in America is basically built on these David-versus-Goliath moments. You've got New Jersey Alliance FC, a team mostly grinding it out in NISA Nation and the UPSL, suddenly staring down a professional side like the Chattanooga Red Wolves. On paper? It should’ve been a blowout. In reality? It was a mess—the good kind of mess.
The Night the Underdog Almost Bit Back
The atmosphere at Lubetkin Field in Newark was tense, mostly because NJ Alliance didn't get the memo that they were supposed to lose. They came out swinging. Marlon Kyle Preciado, who was arguably the best player on the pitch for the home side, found the back of the net right before halftime. Honestly, the 1-0 lead at the break felt like a shock to the system for the Red Wolves.
Chattanooga looked a bit sluggish in that first half. Maybe it was the travel, or maybe they just underestimated a squad of hungry Jersey guys playing for their lives. But professional quality usually finds a way. Matthew Bentley, who has been a absolute workhorse for Chattanooga, took over the second half. He buried a penalty in the 65th minute to level it up, and then he scored again in the 84th.
At 2-1 with six minutes left, everyone thought the game was cooked.
Then came the 92nd minute. Joel Quist—remember that name if you're an Alliance fan—struck a dagger into the Red Wolves' celebrations. 2-2. The stadium went nuts. We were headed to extra time, and the momentum was entirely on the side of the amateurs.
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Why Chattanooga Red Wolves SC Survived
Professional fitness is a real thing. Even when you're tired, the muscle memory kicks in. The Red Wolves have a deep roster, and guys like Gharett Morris and Eric Kinzner had to put in a shift to keep the Alliance from finding a winner in those 30 minutes of extra time.
It eventually went to penalties. That's always a coin toss, but Chattanooga’s Jason Smith stood tall between the pipes. The Red Wolves converted their shots, winning the shootout 4-2. It was a relief for the Tennessee side, who narrowly avoided becoming the headline of every "Major Upset" article the next morning.
The match stats tell a funny story:
- NJ Alliance actually had 55% possession.
- They outshot the Red Wolves 16 to 14.
- Total shots on target were 8 to 6 in favor of the Jersey boys.
It's rare to see an amateur side actually outplay a pro team in the metrics but still lose the result. That’s just the cruelty of the Open Cup.
Breaking Down the New Jersey Alliance FC Identity
A lot of people outside the Tri-state area don't really know who NJ Alliance is. Founded back in 2012 by Edgar Guardia, they’ve bounced around the lower tiers of the US soccer pyramid. They’ve played in the Garden State Soccer League, the UPSL, and were a founding club for NISA Nation.
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They aren't just a "pay-to-play" club; they’ve actually built a competitive culture in Lyndhurst and Newark. Their manager, Robert Kruk, has a knack for finding local talent that slipped through the cracks of the MLS academies. When you see guys like Brian Canales or Lucas Miquel outplaying pro midfielders, you realize the talent gap in the US is much smaller than the paycheck gap.
The Chattanooga Red Wolves SC Perspective
For the Red Wolves, this game was a wake-up call. Based out of East Ridge, Tennessee, they play in USL League One. They have a beautiful stadium (CHI Memorial Stadium), a professional front office, and expectations to be at the top of their league.
But the Open Cup is a different beast. In 2025 and 2026, the Red Wolves have been trying to find consistency. Matthew Bentley is their primary offensive threat, leading the team in goals and shots. He's the guy they rely on when things get gritty. In this specific match against Alliance, he basically carried the team on his back. Without his brace, the Red Wolves would have been sent home early.
Tactical Nuance: How Alliance Frustrated a Pro Side
Tactically, Alliance played a brave 4-3-3. Most amateur teams park the bus against pro squads. Alliance didn't. They pressed high and forced the Red Wolves into uncomfortable turnovers.
Chattanooga played a 3-4-2-1, which is usually great for controlling the wings. However, the Alliance wingers—Joel Quist and Dorgeles Coulibably—found plenty of space behind the Red Wolves' wing-backs. It was a gamble that almost paid off.
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The Red Wolves were also hampered by a red card to Gharett Morris in the 37th minute. Playing a man down for a huge chunk of the match changed everything. It forced them into a defensive shell they didn't want to be in. Honestly, the fact that they even managed to lead 2-1 while playing with ten men for an hour is a testament to their professionalism.
What This Match Means for the Future
If you're a fan of lower-league soccer, NJ Alliance vs Chattanooga Red Wolves SC is the kind of game you point to when people say the US Open Cup doesn't matter. It matters to the guys in New Jersey who proved they can hang with the pros. It matters to the Red Wolves, who learned that you can't take a single minute off in knockout football.
Since that match, NJ Alliance has continued to be a force in the UPSL Northeast region, consistently finishing near the top of the table. Chattanooga, meanwhile, has been navigating a tough 2026 schedule in USL League One, still relying heavily on Bentley and Pedro Hernandez for creative sparks.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors:
- Watch the Red Card Factor: Chattanooga plays an aggressive style that often leads to disciplinary issues. If you're betting on their games, keep an eye on the "cards" market.
- Don't Sleep on the UPSL: If an Open Cup draw features a top-tier UPSL team against a USL League One side, the "Double Chance" on the underdog isn't as crazy as it looks.
- Player to Track: Matthew Bentley remains one of the most clinical finishers in the lower leagues. If he's healthy, Chattanooga is always a threat to score late.
- Scouting NJ Alliance: They are a goldmine for NISA or USL scouts looking for cheap, high-motor talent in the New Jersey/New York area.
The beauty of this matchup wasn't in the polish—it was in the grit. It was two teams from completely different worlds colliding for 120 minutes and a shootout. While Chattanooga got the win, NJ Alliance definitely won some respect.
Keep an eye on the 2026 U.S. Open Cup draws. If these two meet again, don't expect a quiet night. You'll want to clear your schedule for that one.
Next Step: You should look up the current USL League One standings to see how the Red Wolves' early-season form is holding up before their next big cup tie.