KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 1 seed One Knoxville SC is riding high off its best regular season in League One, capturing the Players’ Shield on the final day at Covenant Health Park as it prepares to host the No. 8 seed Charlotte Independence, who backed into the playoffs on the final day, on Sunday afternoon in the Quarterfinals of the 2025 USL League One Playoffs presented by Terminix. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Here’s what you need to know. 

How They Got Here  

One Knoxville SC (16-5-9, 57pts) – One Knoxville created a fortress at home this season, finishing with a 11-0-4 record at Covenant Health Park. Combined with steady play on the road, new Head Coach Ian Fuller led Knoxville to its first Players’ Shield trophy with the best regular season record in League One. The team only suffered two losses in its first 18 matches, the first of which was at the hands of the Independence. Putting its foot down on the gas in the final stretch, the club was able to secure homefield advantage throughout the playoffs by winning six of its final eight games, topping in-state rival Chattanooga Red Wolves SC by two points in the final standings. 

Charlotte Independence (10-13-7, 37pts) – The Independence found success in the early part of 2025, qualifying for the Third Round of the U.S. Cup and taking five wins from their first eight games, but the summer heat slowed the side down as it failed to register consecutive wins since mid-May. Charlotte persevered through rocky form and found its way into the playoffs despite picking up just 10 points from its final 13 matches. The Independence had 45.21 Expected Points, which would place the side third in the league, but finished the regular season with 37 as it conceded 50 goals in the regular season, the most of any side to qualify for the playoffs. 

All-Time Series 

One Knoxville currently sports a 3-1-4 record against the Independence across the three seasons the pair have both been in League One. One Knox leads the aggregated score 11-9, but Charlotte earned its first win against the Tennessee squad this season, which proved valuable to get the Independence into the playoffs. 

Opta Says 

11 – One Knoxville SC recorded 11 headed goals in the regular season, tied for the most in the league alongside South Georgia Tormenta FC and Union Omaha, accounting for 26 percent of the club’s goals. 

38 – The Charlotte Independence recorded 38 of their 39 goals in the regular season inside the opposing penalty area, the highest percentage within League One in the regular season. 

Players to Watch  

One Knoxville SC – Babacar Diene: The Senegalese forward’s goal in the final game of the regular season secured the Players’ Shield for Knoxville and made him the first player to score 10 goals in a regular season in the club’s League One history. Babacar also led the squad in shots, shots on target, and Expected Goals. 

Charlotte Independence – Christian Chaney: The USL veteran joined the Independence this season for his second stint with the club and has had an impact all season. The striker caught fire in late April, scoring nine goals in 11 games across all competitions. 

Uniforms 

Discipline Report 

One Knoxville SC – none 

Charlotte Independence – none 

Officials 
REF: Atahan Yaya 
AR1: Eric Krueger 
AR2: Mateusz Dulski 
4TH: Muhammad Hassan