By Dominic Throngard
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – One Knoxville SC (1-0-1) is back in action tonight against the Central Valley Fuego (1-0-1) at Regal Soccer Stadium for their second match of USL1 competition. The match is set for a 7:00 p.m. EST kickoff time.
One Knox is coming off of a 2-1 away loss in Saturday’s game against the Red Wolves of Chattanooga in the Smoky Mountain Showdown. The game saw the squads level at zeroes through the first half before Ilic was able to provide Knoxville’s lone goal from a penalty kick in the early going of the second half. However, Chattanooga was able to weasel their way back in and finish the job with goals from Man of the Match Paoli, and Valera.
One Knox will be looking to bounce back from their two-game skid after also dropping their US Open Cup match to USL Championship side Memphis 901 in dramatic fashion. Being able to come back to their home ground after losing their first in league play will be a great opportunity for the team to get back on track in their inaugural USL1 season.
The Central Valley Fuego of Fresno have been on a similar trajectory to One Knox losing their Open Cup match to the USL Championship’s Monterey Bay FC last Wednesday and then losing again to Union Omaha on Saturday. The side’s lone win, however, did come against the Chattanooga Red Wolves to begin the season. The team currently sits in 9th on the league table one behind One Knoxville at 8th, only trailing Knoxville on goal differential.
This match sets itself up as a good indicator to see what this One Knox club might be capable of in their first USL1 season seeing as how the foe should be of similar quality. A win at home will be key here as the sides will see each other in Fresno not long from now when One Knox travels to the Central Valley on April 30th for their second meeting of the season.
One Knoxville will be back in action again against South Georgia Tormenta on Friday in Regal Soccer Stadium at 6:00 p.m. EST.