18,277. That’s how many fans packed into Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, an attendance figure that places a fourth division match between amateur clubs on equal attendance footing with MLS sides.
What's your attendance guess? #FillFortFinley #NPSLFinals pic.twitter.com/ZrTuRGCqe2
— Chattanooga FC (@ChattanoogaFC) August 9, 2015
Chattanooga averaged 7,690 fans in the two home matches immediately before the final. Before kickoff, the club announced over 9,000 ticket sales. Apparently, for every ticket sold, another fan bought a ticket at the door. An amazing achievement for Chattanooga.
The game itself was excellent as well, an overtime thriller won by the Cosmos 3-2. The Cosmos’ Ibrahim Diaby, who won Puma Player of the Game, ripped the first goal late in the first half. Chattanooga FC’s Chris Ochieng fired back in the 69th minute to even things up.
And THAT is how we do it in #Chattanooga. #BoysInBlue #NPSLFinals #CFCvNYC pic.twitter.com/N48EFBTtUf
— Chattanooga FC (@ChattanoogaFC) August 9, 2015
The game stayed 1-1 until the end of regulation, but just 30 seconds into overtime the Cosmos jumped ahead 2-1 on another Diaby goal. The Cosmos added another, Chattanooga responded, but it wasn’t enough as the game ended 3-2.
Congrats to the New York Cosmos. This club looked unbeatable this season and, as it turned out, they actually were.
One of the best moments in my 13 year professional soccer career. Thank you @NYCosmosB. I'll never forget this night. pic.twitter.com/GTpmN1FjTk
— Alecko Eskandarian (@alecko11) August 10, 2015
Even though the B-side of a professional club won the title, this final was a huge step forward and a big victory for the NPSL. Amateur soccer can survive–and thrive–in this country. The US collegiate model, while it has some pros, is outdated, plays by a strange ruleset, and fails to produce world class stars. When the NPSL starts up again next year, get out and support your local team! There are dozens of NPSL sides, there has to be one near you!
