Know Your Enemy: Chattanooga Red Wolves

The Richmond Kickers travel to Chattanooga this week for their first meeting of the season with the Red Wolves.

It has been a rough start for Chattanooga, currently sitting at 12th in the table with just two wins through six matches. Those victories came against fellow strugglers Greenville and Sarasota, both of whom sit below the Red Wolves in the standings.

That slow start comes as a surprise after Chattanooga’s remarkable 2025 campaign. Widely projected to finish near the bottom of the league, the Red Wolves instead finished just two points shy of the Players’ Shield and hosted a home playoff match for the first time since 2022. Although their postseason run ended with a loss to Portland Hearts of Pine, Head Coach Scott MacKenzie was named Coach of the Year after guiding one of the league’s biggest overachievers.

MacKenzie largely stuck with the formula that worked last season, bringing back 14 players from that squad. The club’s biggest departures were All-League First Team defender Declan Watters and striker Zahir Vazquez. Watters anchored the back line alongside Eric Kinzner as part of one of League One’s top defensive pairings, while Vazquez contributed four goals in just 920 minutes as a secondary attacking option.

Richmond and Chattanooga met twice last season. The first matchup ended in a scoreless draw in Tennessee before the Red Wolves claimed a 2-0 win at City Stadium in July. Chattanooga’s defense frustrated the Kickers throughout both matches, allowing just three Richmond shots on target across 180 minutes.

The Red Wolves enter Saturday coming off a 2-0 loss at Omaha, while Richmond arrives riding a three-match regular season winning streak after a dominant 3-0 road victory over Greenville.

Here are four Chattanooga players Kickers fans should keep an eye on this Wednesday.

Matt Bentley

Matt Bentley needs little introduction to longtime Kickers fans. The striker was part of Richmond’s 2022 Players’ Shield-winning squad, contributing six goals and three assists to one of the league’s most explosive attacks. He returned in 2023, but endured a frustrating campaign, scoring just once despite firing 28 shots.

After spending 2024 in England with Maidstone United, Bentley rediscovered his scoring form and returned to USL League One with Chattanooga in 2025. He finished second on the team with seven goals while leading the Red Wolves in total shots.

Like much of Chattanooga’s squad, Bentley has been slow out of the gate in 2026. Still, he showed exactly what he is capable of in a 4-1 win over Sarasota on May 9, recording a hat trick and an assist. That Sarasota side featured three members of Richmond’s 2022 championship squad and was coached by former Kickers assistant Mika Elovaara, giving the match an unmistakable reunion feel.

Bentley also scored in Chattanooga’s win at Richmond last season and has shown a tendency to rise to the occasion against former clubs and familiar faces. Expect him to be highly motivated once again on Wednesday.

Pedro Hernandez

Although still officially listed as a right back, Pedro Hernandez has evolved into one of Chattanooga’s most dangerous attacking players. The 26-year-old made a full-time move into a forward role last season and became a key piece of the Red Wolves’ surprising success story. Operating in Scott MacKenzie’s unconventional system, Hernandez erupted for a career-high 10 regular season goals.

Now entering his fifth season with Chattanooga, Hernandez has taken on an even larger leadership role. He inherited the captaincy after veteran midfielder Ualefi suffered a season-ending injury during preseason, and all six of his starts this year have come at striker or on the wing, a strong sign that his defensive days may be behind him for good.

The goals have not arrived yet in 2026, but Hernandez has still contributed two assists while creating five chances. Expect him to feature alongside Bentley, either drifting wide or operating centrally as part of Chattanooga’s front line.

Omar Hernandez

Omar Hernandez looked like a breakout player last season. Early in 2026, he looks even better.

The midfielder has spent his entire professional career with Chattanooga after joining the club ahead of the 2024 season. Injuries forced him into a larger role last year, and he responded with six goals and four assists while emerging as one of the Red Wolves’ most important attacking pieces.

A creative midfielder with a willingness to shoot from distance, Hernandez has developed a reputation for spectacular long-range goals. If given space outside the box, he is more than willing to test the goalkeeper, often with impressive results.

That form has carried into this season. Hernandez already has three goals and two assists and appears well on track for the best campaign of his career.

Jordan Ayimbila

The 25-year-old left back joined Chattanooga on loan from Miami FC during the 2025 season and quickly became one of the club’s most important defensive players. He led the Red Wolves in interceptions, tackles won, and duels won while also contributing two goals during the club’s surprising run up the table.

Ayimbila has carried that form into 2026. He already has an assist and currently leads the squad in both clearances and tackles won. With Scott MacKenzie shifting toward a more traditional 4-4-2 setup after frequently using a 5-4-1 last season, Ayimbila has taken on even greater defensive responsibility along the left side.

When Chattanooga looks to build forward, expect Ayimbila to play an important role progressing the ball up the wing, often linking with Omar Hernandez or Matt Bentley in the attack.

Chattanooga Red Wolves vs. Richmond Kickers: How to Watch

The match will broadcast on ESPN+, and there will be a club watch party at Bingo Beer Co. Kickoff is at 7:00 PM.