One Knoxville Adds to Defensive Depth With Caputo, McLeod
New signings join the squad from Lexington SC, Virginia Commonwealth University
Image credit Lexington SC
One Knoxville added to its defensive depth with the signings of defensive midfielder Abel Caputo and center back Scott McLeod.
Caputo spent the 2024 season with Lexington SC, where he had 29 appearances and contributed four assists across league competitions. He was a regular in Lexington’s starting 11, mostly at defensive midfield. Prior to his time with Lexington, he spent a half season with USL Championship side Tampa Bay Rowdies, and two and a half seasons with Inter Miami II in MLS NextPro and USL League One.
Caputo joins a defensive corps that gave up the fewest goals in the league in 2024, and already has a wealth of defensive-minded midfielders. This includes Sivert Haugli and Angelo Kelly, and in 2024 also saw Yesin van der Pluijm in a backing role.
With all three as regular starters in 2024, one has to wonder how new coach Ian Fuller will utilize the trio.
Said Fuller in the team’s press release:
“Abel is a very technical central midfielder with great vision who also has a competitive bite about him. He knows the League and understands his role in midfield. I'm really looking forward to working with [him], I think he can be a difference maker down the spine.”
Scott McLeod joins Knoxville on his first professional contract after finishing his NCAA career at Virginia Commonwealth University. The Jamaican center back has also captained the U15 and U17 Jamaican National Teams.
Along with fellow newcomer Jaheim Brown, he’ll likely play a backing role to Jordan Skelton and Dani Fernandez.
Fuller said in the press release:
“Scott is just fresh out of college, from VCU where he thrived under Dave Giffard. His trajectory and development have been on the raise and I cannot wait to work with [him]. With the ability to play both sides as a central defender, Scott's versatility will be a massive positive.”
Knoxville previously announced the additions of Brown and striker Babacar Diene, and is expected to make several more announcements over the coming weeks. The current squad is as follows:
Forwards: Gio Calixtro, Babacar Diene, Kempes Tekiela, Stavros Zarokostas
Midfielders: Abel Caputo, Sivert Haugli, Callum Johnson, Angelo Kelly
Defenders: Jaheim Brown, Dani Fernandez, Scott McLeod, Stuart Ritchie, Jordan Skelton, James Thomas
Goalkeepers: Johan Garibay, Sean Lewis
Knoxville will start the season on a four match roadtrip, at Spokane, Texoma, Greenville and Naples before returning home to host FC Tulsa in Jägermeister Cup action. That will also be the team’s season debut at the brand new Covenant Health Park, just outside of Old City Knoxville.