Former Dalton soccer standout, national player of the year Hernández signs with Chattanooga Red Wolves

Published 6:00 pm Saturday, January 20, 2024

A former national high school soccer player of the year is set to begin play in professional soccer a little bit closer to home.

Former Dalton High School soccer sensation Omar Hernández, who was named the 2019 Gatorade National Player of the Year, is has signed with Chattanooga Red Wolves Soccer Club, which plays its home games just across the Tennessee border from Dalton in East Ridge.

The club announced the move Saturday, concurrent with a celebration at a restaurant downtown in Hernandez’s hometown of Dalton.

“A top talent, but more importantly a top talent with roots in Chattanooga and Dalton,” Red Wolves head coach Scott Mackenzie said in a release. “Omar is someone all the young players in Chattanooga and Dalton can look to as an inspiration and all our fans can call their own. He had a tremendous college career at two top schools in Wake Forest and Mercer, and I couldn’t be more excited to have his wand of a left foot here with us at the Red Wolves.”

Hernández was instrumental in Dalton’s 2019 state championship season, leading the Catamounts in both goals (16) and assists (17) in his senior season, leading Dalton to a 23-0 record and a 4-1 defeat of Gainesville in the Class 6A state championship match. Hernández finished as the storied school’s all-time assists leader with 64.

Hernández spent some time training in the Red Wolves organization after high school before starting college ball at Wake Forest University.

“I can’t wait to join the team and kick off the 2024 season,” said Hernández. “…[I’m] so excited to be here and start my professional career in the Scenic City where I grew up playing. Lots of great things to come this year from the team with opportunities to compete for championships.”

Hernández played at Wake Forest from 2019 to 2022, where he scored 13 goals and had 10 assists across 70 appearances. Hernández spent the 2023 season as a graduate transfer playing back in his home state with Mercer in Macon, scoring three goals and tallying three assists in 18 games.

“Omar represents all the pieces that make the Red Wolves the ideal pathway to professional soccer,” said President and GM of the Red Wolves, Sean McDaniel. “His influence in the Dalton, Georgia, market goes back many, many years. He has brought great notoriety to that city and we are so pleased to be a part of his soccer journey and showcase his talent to the wonderful Red Wolves fans of that proud community and beyond.”