New York City II vs Chattanooga Predicted Lineups and Team News
New York City II welcome Chattanooga to Belson Stadium in a key MLS Next Pro Group Stage clash that could have major implications across both the Northeast and Central Division pictures, as well as the wider Eastern Conference playoff race. New York City II sit 5th in the Northeast Division with 21 points from 13 matches, carrying the same 21-point tally into a 9th-place standing in the Eastern Conference. Chattanooga, meanwhile, arrive in stronger overall shape: 3rd in the Central Division and 6th in the Eastern Conference with 24 points from 14 games and a positive goal difference of +4.
The visitors have been one of the more attack-minded sides in the conference, scoring 29 league goals so far, while New York City II have been more volatile – 7 wins and 6 defeats, no draws, and a negative goal difference despite a strong home record. Head-to-head history at Belson Stadium has been tight but slightly tilted toward Chattanooga, who won 1-0 here in the 2025 season, though New York City II did edge a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in 2024. With both teams in good recent form (80% form rating over their last five matches), this fixture sets up as a high-intensity, attacking contest where predicted lineups and tactical choices could be decisive.
With no official starting lineup information available yet, this preview focuses on analytically predicted lineups built from squad lists, form trends and typical positional balances. Both sides are used to open games with goals at both ends, and the expectation is that neither will sit back here, especially with Chattanooga chasing promotion play-off consolidation and New York City II looking to close the gap on the upper half of the Eastern Conference.
New York City II Team News & Expected Lineups Today
There are no listed injuries or suspensions for New York City II ahead of this match, so the coaching staff should have access to a full squad. That is significant for a side whose season has been defined by sharp swings – seven wins but also six defeats, and no draws – and whose home form (5 wins, 2 losses) has been the foundation of their campaign. With 12 goals scored and 13 conceded at Belson Stadium in league play, they tend to play open football, and that is unlikely to change here.
Based on their recent attacking output – 11 goals in their last five matches at an average of 2.2 per game – the expected approach is again proactive, with an emphasis on dynamic wide play and runners from midfield. The predicted lineup today should reflect a balance between technical midfielders and direct forwards, with a relatively settled defensive core in front of an experienced goalkeeper. With no forced absences, selection will be driven by tactical preference and recent form rather than necessity.
New York City II Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup
Predicted Starting XI:
GK: T. Romero
DF: Nico Cavallo, João Loiola, E. Martin, Maxwell Murray
MF: C. Flax, K. Pierre, Musu, J. Shore
FW: M. Jones, E. Samb
This predicted starting lineup leans on experience at both ends of the pitch. In goal, T. Romero is the most established option among several young keepers, giving stability behind a back line that mixes youth and physicality. Nico Cavallo and Maxwell Murray provide seniority and defensive leadership in the wide and central defensive roles, while João Loiola and E. Martin add mobility and ball progression from the back – important traits against a Chattanooga side that scores freely but also leaves spaces to exploit in transition.
In midfield, the expected quartet of C. Flax, K. Pierre, Musu and J. Shore gives New York City II a blend of energy, ball-carrying and control. Flax and Pierre can operate as box-to-box options, linking play and helping to press in central areas, while Musu offers composure and passing range as a deeper organiser. Shore, still young, brings vertical running and creativity between the lines, key to breaking Chattanooga’s structure and feeding the front line.
Up front, M. Jones and E. Samb are projected to lead the attack. Samb, at 31, is one of the more experienced attackers in the squad and is well placed to act as a focal point, holding the ball up and occupying central defenders. Jones offers pace and direct movement, stretching the back line and attacking space behind. Given New York City II’s tendency to score late – a high proportion of their goals arrive between minutes 61-90 – this pair could be especially dangerous as the game opens up in the second half.
Chattanooga Team News & Expected Lineups Today
Like their hosts, Chattanooga have no reported injuries or suspensions, which is excellent news for a side pushing for the upper reaches of the Eastern Conference. With 24 points from 14 matches and a strong offensive record (29 goals scored), they come into this fixture as slight favourites on overall metrics, even though their away record (3 wins, 4 defeats) shows they can be vulnerable on the road.
Their recent form – 8 wins and 6 losses overall, no draws – mirrors New York City II’s high-risk, high-reward profile, but Chattanooga’s attack is even more explosive, averaging 2.1 goals per game both home and away. That suggests an expected attacking shape again, with aggressive wide forwards and advanced midfielders. With lineups today likely to prioritise continuity in their strongest areas, Chattanooga should field a side built around pace, direct running and penalty-box presence, accepting some defensive risk in return for offensive output.
Chattanooga Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup
Predicted Starting XI:
GK: E. Jakupović
DF: Y. Tcheuyap, T. Robertson, F. Sar-Sar, M. Hanchard
MF: S. Louis, A. McGrath, Damien Barker John, C. Thomas
FW: D. Mangarov, A. Garcia
Chattanooga’s predicted lineup is built around a strong spine and a highly mobile front line. In goal, veteran keeper E. Jakupović brings vast experience and organisational ability, an asset for a team that concedes more away (17 goals in 7 games) than at home. Ahead of him, Y. Tcheuyap and M. Hanchard are expected to operate in the wide defensive roles, providing both defensive cover and support for attacks, while T. Robertson and F. Sar-Sar form a robust central pairing capable of dealing with New York City II’s direct runs and aerial threat.
In midfield, S. Louis and A. McGrath should anchor the central areas, combining defensive work-rate with the ability to launch quick transitions. Damien Barker John and C. Thomas are projected as more advanced or wide midfielders, tasked with carrying the ball forward, pressing high and linking with the forwards. Their energy is crucial to Chattanooga’s pressing game, particularly in the middle phases of each half where the team tends to score heavily – notably between minutes 31-60 and again late on.
Up front, the expected pairing of D. Mangarov and A. Garcia offers a dangerous mix of movement and finishing. Mangarov can operate as a central striker, attacking crosses and through balls, while Garcia’s pace and dribbling from wide or half-space positions make him a constant threat on the counter. Given Chattanooga’s strong record of scoring multiple goals and their 100% conversion rate from penalties this season, this front line will be central to their game plan at Belson Stadium.
Injuries and Suspended Players Impact
With no injuries or suspensions listed for either side, this fixture is set to showcase both squads at close to full strength. That increases the tactical depth available to both benches and should contribute to a high-quality, open contest.
New York City II Absences:
- No significant absences reported.
Chattanooga Absences:
- No significant absences reported.
Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up
This match-up pits New York City II’s improving home form against Chattanooga’s powerful attack. The hosts average 1.9 goals scored and 1.9 conceded per home game, while Chattanooga average 2.1 scored and 2.4 conceded away. That profile points strongly toward a game with chances at both ends. New York City II’s predicted back line of Nico Cavallo, João Loiola, E. Martin and Maxwell Murray will need to cope with the movement of D. Mangarov and A. Garcia, especially during the visitors’ strongest scoring windows around the start of each half and the closing stages.
In midfield, the battle between New York City II’s trio of C. Flax, K. Pierre and Musu against Chattanooga’s S. Louis, A. McGrath and Damien Barker John could decide control of tempo. Chattanooga’s league data shows a strong attacking rating but a more fragile defence, particularly away from home, which suggests New York City II will look to draw them into central areas before exploiting spaces behind their full-backs through J. Shore, M. Jones and E. Samb. Conversely, Chattanooga will target New York City II’s vulnerability in the 61-90 minute range, when they concede a high proportion of goals, by keeping their front line aggressive and using quick transitions from Louis and McGrath. With both teams comfortable in open, end-to-end games and neither side inclined to play for a draw, the tactical balance favours an attacking spectacle where individual quality in the final third is likely to be decisive.
Match Prediction and Verdict
Analysis of recent form, attacking metrics and head-to-head history points slightly toward Chattanooga avoiding defeat. They have a marginal edge in overall attacking strength, score more consistently, and have already won at Belson Stadium in league play last season. New York City II’s strong home record and recent upturn (four wins in their last five) mean they are more than capable of pushing this into a close contest, but defensive volatility remains a concern against such a potent visiting attack.
With Chattanooga rated as the more likely side to win or at least draw, and both teams’ matches tending to produce multiple goals, the most reasonable expectation is a tight away success or high-scoring stalemate. Given the balance of probabilities, Chattanooga are marginally favoured to edge a narrow victory if they can capitalise on their superior attacking output and maintain concentration in the closing stages.
Predicted Outcome: New York City II 1-2 Chattanooga
How to Watch New York City II vs Chattanooga Worldwide
Here is how you can watch the match and see the official lineups today live:
- Spain: Local sports broadcaster / streaming platform
- UK: Domestic football streaming service
- USA / North America: National soccer streaming partner
- South America: Regional sports network
- MENA: Pan-regional sports broadcaster
