KNOXVILLE, Tenn. –  Kempes Tekiela assisted on goals by Sivert Haugli and Stavros Zarokostas as No. 1 seed One Knoxville SC dispatched No. 8 seed Charlotte Independence 2-1 despite a late goal from Christian Chaney in the Quarterfinals of the 2025 USL League One Playoffs presented by Terminix on a rainy afternoon at Covenant Health Park. 

Both clubs found success generating offense in the first half, but it was Charlotte who controlled much of the opening 15 minutes. The Independence recorded the first four shot attempts of the match, including Souaibou Marou’s header off a Christopher Jaime cross that forced a point-blank save from Golden Glove runner-up Sean Lewis. The Players’ Shield winners quickly woke up and pinned the visitors into their defensive end. A 17th-minute inswinging corner by Tekiela was met by an onrushing Haugli, who headed it inside the right post to give Knoxville the early lead. 

The Independence came out of the halftime break with renewed energy, putting top-seeded Knoxville on its heels again. But the hosts were able to turn the tide in their favor again when Tekiela slipped the ball past Charlotte’s backline, allowing Zarokostas to forcefully dash toward goal, placing the ball into the far corner past Amal Knight to give Knoxville a 2-0 lead. 

Charlotte would not go quietly, though, pulling one goal back in the 78th minute. It took 14 seconds for the Independence to move the ball from their own 18-yard box to the back of the net as Anthony Sorenson’s low cross found Christian Chaney, whose slide effort deflected the ball in past Lewis.

Takeaways 

One Knoxville SC: One Knoxville grabs its first playoff win in its second attempt and third season in League One. The Players’ Shield winners fell behind in many attacking statistics today, but key performances from their core players push them into the Semifinals against FC Naples. 

Charlotte Independence: The Independence threw everything they could at the top-seeded team, trying to pull off the upset. Not capitalizing on their strong momentum early in each half with a goal proved costly. 

Key moment 

One Knoxville SC goalkeeper Sean Lewis’ 14th-minute save proved crucial to frustrate the Independence, who looked in tune early and allowed the hosts to take the lead three minutes later. 

Key stat 

The Independence matched their second-highest total in 2025 for penalty area entries in a match with 47, but were only able to get one goal past One Knoxville. 

USLLeagueOne.com Player of the Match 

Kempes Tekiela, One Knoxville SC – The German midfielder showed off his passing prowess today with two pinpoint assists to help Knoxville secure victory. 

Scoring Summary 

KNX – Sivert Haugli (Kempes Tekiela) 17’ 

KNX – Stavros Zarokostas (Kempes Tekiela) 64’ 

CLT – Christian Chaney (Anthony Sorenson) 78’