One Knoxville Hosts FC Naples in USL League One Semifinal Matchup
What to expect when the Player's Shield Winner faces the fourth seeded expansion side
Two southeastern USL League One clubs will face off in the semi-final round this weekend: One Knoxville and FC Naples.
How They Got Here
One Knoxville won the Player’s Shield with the highest number of points in the regular season, earning the top seed in the playoffs. In the first round, they dispatched of eighth-seeded Charlotte Independence by a score of 2-1 on goals from Sivert Haugli and Stavros Zarokostas.
FC Naples finished as the fourth seed after beating Charlotte in the last match of the season, then prevailed over defending champions Union Omaha in penalties in the first round of the playoffs.
Eyes on the Defense
Both squads finished the regular season in the top three fewest goals conceded. Knoxville was first with only 27, while Naples was third with 32.
Knoxville is led by captain and center back Jordan Skelton, a 2025 All-League first team selection, and arguably the top defender in the league. Skelton has been playing alongside Haugli, and with the backing of All-League first team and Golden Glove runner-up goalkeeper Sean Lewis.
FC Naples saw its center back pairing of Jake Dengler and Brecc Evans named to the All-League second team, and have the backing of star goalkeeper Lalo Delgado, who put up ten clean sheets this season.
Breaking Through
With strong defenses, the match will rely on both teams’ explosive offensive weapons to break through. For Knoxville, this has been a dangerous team effort, led by Babacar Diene, with plenty of support from Kempes Tekiela, Zarokostas and wingbacks Jaheim Brown and Stuart Ritchie. Nico Rosamilla has also stepped in to replace the injured Mark Doyle, contributing two goals and three assists.
Naples’ offense is led by Golden Boot runner up and All League first-teamer Karsen Henderlong, who scored a brace in the final match of the season. He’s been supported by a diverse cast including Jayden Onen, Kevin O’Connor, Julian Cisneros and Andrés Ferrín.
Knoxville’s Home Advantage
One Knoxville is undefeated at Covenant Health Park this season, while Naples has struggled away from home with a 4-7-4 record.
Teams of Champions
Knoxville joined the league in 2023, and clinched its first playoff berth in 2024, falling to Greenville in the opening round that season. The 2025 Player’s Shield is the club’s first trophy, and with seven remaining on roster from the inaugural season, has the experience and cohesion to make things difficult for opponents this season.
FC Naples put together an impressive squad and run this season, never dropping lower than fifth in the table. The squad is full of players who have been here before, including Dengler and Chris Heckenberg (2022 champions with South Georgia Tormenta, plus Evans’ 2019 title with North Texas), Evans and Delgado (2024 Jägermeister Cup winners with Northern Colorado), Gustavo Fernandes (2023 champion with North Carolina FC). O’Connor also brings several titles from his time in Ireland.
While a win by FC Naples would see an expansion side in the title match for the second year in a row, One Knox would love to use its longer time together to put a stop to that story.
A Knoxville win would secure hosting rights for the playoff final next weekend. Should FC Naples win, they would have to wait until the results of Spokane vs. Portland on Sunday. A Spokane win would have Naples traveling there, while a Portland win would have Naples hosting the final.
Match Details
One Knoxville SC vs. FC Naples
Covenant Health Park, Knoxville, TN
Saturday, November 8th, 7:00 PM ET
Broadcast: ESPN+