Chattanooga FC advanced to Round 2 of the 2026 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a 2-1 win over UPSL’s Kalonji Pro-Profile. History was made in the most unlikely fashion as fourteen-year-old Braiden Kalonji became the youngest goalscorer on record in the Modern Era of The Cup, but goals on either side of halftime were enough for Chattanooga to ward off an energetic visiting side.
Kalonji Pro-Profile made the trip up to Tennessee from Lawrenceville, Georgia after triumphing in the qualifying rounds, besting Potros FC 1-0 in the final round. Despite hosting the match, Chattanooga FC had a much different path to The Cup, receiving an auto bid as an MLSNP club but enduring a delay-ridden trip to Chicago for league play just three days earlier. It was Kalonji’s first appearance in the cup, and Chattanooga’s 18th appearance in 10 cup runs.
It was a perfect night for soccer as the two clubs started the evening’s Open Cup itinerary. Chattanooga had several early chances, with Nathan Koehler nodding just over the crossbar in the 12th minute.
Chaos ensued a minute later as Owanja Medard drew a penalty kick for Kalonji Pro-Profile at the other end. Toni Tiente stepped up to take the penalty for the visitors. Chattanooga’s Griffin Huff stood strong and saved the penalty, but the ensuing clearance wasn’t enough. From the top of the box, up stepped Kalonji. With a calm side foot, the young teen looped an inch-perfect shot into the far corner, putting his team in front 1-0.
“It felt really good,” Kalonji said about his record-breaking goal. “I’ve been working for this and God delivered… all the work showed today and I’m really proud of it.”
Despite going down a goal, the home side stayed the course, producing chance after chance. Alex Krehl forced a good save in the 23rd minute among an onslaught of Chattanooga efforts to draw level.
The hosts finally found a breakthrough in first-half stoppage time. In a smooth sequence of play, Krehl’s cross found Ameziane Sid Mohand, who delivered a smooth back heel to find Darwin Ortiz Lopez. After his first attempt was blocked, Ortiz Lopez was first to the loose ball, striking home into an open net and bringing Chattanooga level at 1-1.
“I remember telling Ameziane to leave because I was coming and I had momentum coming from the back,” Ortiz Lopez said. “Then I remember shooting it, and it hit the defender, but then it bounced right back at me, and I just saw an open goal there.”
Parity did not last long after the break. Just 11 seconds into the second half, Chattanooga’s Sid Mohand picked the pocket of a defender, drove 30 yards and placed a well struck shot into the bottom left corner of the goal, putting the hosts ahead 2-1.
The game remained fairly open, with Zain Hylton’s 74th minute effort for Kalonji saved, but the majority of chances fell to Chattanooga as they saw out the match professionally, booking a spot in the next round.
Chattanooga’s interim head coach Richard Dixon was pleased with his team’s effort after the game.
“I’m extremely proud of this group. It would be easy for anyone to say, ‘well, we just got back from a ten-hour bus ride, flights got cancelled, we spent an extra day in Chicago, I can’t play.’ There could have been a lot of excuses there,” he said. “This group never once complained and never made any excuse, and they went out to execute tonight.”
