Match Previews - 4.21.2023

By USLLeagueOne.com Staff, 04/21/23, 1:45PM EDT

2022 champions, runners-up in action on Friday evening

One Knoxville SC vs. South Georgia Tormenta FC

Venue: Regal Soccer Stadium; Knoxville, Tenn.
Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET
Weather: Cloudy, 79°
Broadcast: ESPN+
Hashtag: #KNXvTRM
Series (First Meeting): 0-0-0 (2023)

A week after taking on expansion side Lexington SC, South Georgia Tormenta FC (2-3-0, 3rd) will travel to Tennessee to battle first-year League One side One Knoxville SC (1-1-1, 8th) for the first time. South Georgia has seen an up-and-down start to its 2023 campaign, matching a league-high two matches won early while also losing three of its last four. Knoxville is winless across three straight matches across all competitions, but if OKSC is able to down Tormenta FC, expansion sides will be an even 7-7-7 against defending champs, exemplifying the parity of the league.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

KNX - Jake Keegan: Now the second-highest scorer in league history, Keegan netted his 24th regular season League One goal to help Knoxville to a 1-1 draw against Central Valley and earn Player of the Week honors. The veteran striker also recorded seven recoveries, two chances created and won 70% of his duels.

TRM - Jackson Khoury: After winning the match-tying penalty early in the second half of last wee's contest, the 20-year-old Australian converted from the spot to tally his second goal in as many matches. Khoury also added a combined 11 duels and tackles won to go along with four recoveries, earning a spot on the Team of the Week.

AVAILABILITY REPORT

KNX: D - James Thomas (out, injury)

TRM: F - Arthur Bosua (questionable, injury), D - Jake Dengler (questionable, injury), F - Kazaiah Sterling (questionable, injury)

North Carolina FC vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC

Venue: WakeMed Soccer Park; Cary, N.C.
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Weather: Partly cloudy, 80°
Broadcast: ESPN+
Hashtag: #NCvCHA
Series (First Meeting): 7-0-0, CHA (2021)

Easily the most one-sided series in North Carolina FC's (2-1-1, 2nd) 17-year history, John Bradford's side will be hungry to defeat Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (1-1-1, 9th) for the first time in the pair's eighth meeting. NCFC has matched its highest position in the table since joining the league in 2021 and will look to continue its strong start to the campaign that's seen North Carolina go unbeaten in three consecutive contests. For the Red Wolves, Chattanooga will hope to earn a second consecutive victory in league play and build on its 4-0-0 all-time record - and +7 goal differential - in Cary.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

NC - Louis Perez: Perez scored his first goal for North Carolina in match-winning fashion on Saturday to earn a spot on the Team of the Week. The French midfielder also earned seven recoveries, won three fouls and completed 100% of his dribbles.

CHA - Mayele Malango: The first-year Chattanooga forward leads his side with big chances created, total chances created and successful dribbles per 90 minutes.