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| Full name | One Knoxville Sporting Club | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2021 | |||
| Stadium | Regal Stadium | |||
| Capacity | 3,000 | |||
| Owner | Drew McKenna | |||
| Head Coach | Mark McKeever | |||
| League | USL League One | |||
| 2023 | 8th of 12 Playoffs: DNQ | |||
| Website | Club website | |||
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One Knoxville Sporting Club is an American soccer team based in Knoxville, Tennessee that competes in USL League One, the third tier of the United States soccer league system.
The club was initially unveiled as Knox Pro Soccer starting as a semi-professional USL League Two club with the goal to eventually move to the professional USL League One in the future.[1] The official name for the team, One Knoxville Sporting Club, was announced on July 15, 2021.[2] The official crest for the team, designed by artist Matthew Wolff, was unveiled on August 19, 2021.[3] Mark McKeever was appointed as the club's first ever head coach on January 13, 2021.[4]
The team made their USL2 debut on May 14, 2022 hosting Asheville City SC,[5] where they were defeated by a score of 2–1 in front of 2200 spectators.[6] They recorded their first victory in their next match on May 17, defeating the Tri-Cities Otters by a score of 1–0.[7] In their inaugural season, they won the South Central Division, with an 11–1–2 record, advancing to the playoffs.[8][9] After winning their first two playoff rounds, the club was defeated by North Carolina Fusion U23 in the South Conference Finals (league quarterfinals).[10]
On October 20, 2022, it was announced that the club would move up to the fully professional level, joining USL League One.[11] The club also announced that all of the team's 15 home games would by played at Regal Stadium, home of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers.[12]
The club announced their first professional signing on December 12, 2022, forward Ilija Ilić, who will also serve as assistant coach.[13]
The club scored its first ever professional win with a 2–1 victory over Lexington SC.[14] Midfielder Jimmie Villalobos scored the teams first ever professional goal.[15]
In Fall 2021, the team signed a tentative agreement with Boyd Sports that would move One Knoxville SC's home games to a new stadium in the Old City near downtown Knoxville, TN. The stadium would be shared with the Tennessee Smokies minor league baseball team. [16] The new facility is planned to be open in Spring 2025.
The Scruffs are an independent supporters group for One Knoxville. The group's name is a reference to Scruffy City, a commonly used nickname for Knoxville from the 1982 World's Fair.[17]
According to their website, "The Scruffs are a community-first supporters group of One Knoxville Sporting Club. We believe that sport has the potential to create a positive culture of unity and energy, and we strive to embrace that philosophy both in the environment we create on match day and in the ways we interact with Knoxville and the surrounding area."[18]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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| Front office | |
|---|---|
| Chairman/President | Drew McKenna |
| Coaching staff | |
| Head Coach | Mark McKeever |
| Goalkeeping Coach | Nick Jaramillo |
| Year | League | Record | Rank | Playoffs | Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | USL League Two | 11–1–2 | 1st, South Central Division | Conference Finals | not eligible |
| 2023 | USL League One | 9-12-11 | 8th | Did not qualify | Lost in Second Round |
