KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 1 seed One Knoxville SC will enter on a 15-game home undefeated streak as No. 4 FC Naples looks to become the second consecutive League One expansion club to make the Final in its debut season when the teams meet in the Semifinals of the 2025 USL League One Playoffs presented by Terminix on Saturday night. Kickoff from Covenant Health Park is set for 7 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 SC won for the first time in the USL League One Playoffs last Sunday afternoon, taking down No. 8 seed Charlotte Independence 2-1 to maintain its undefeated record in league play this season. Kempes Tekiela’s 20 accurate passes during the match included two assists to goalscorers Sivert Haugli and Stavros Zarokostas.  The Players’ Shield winners have momentum into the Semifinals, sitting on a four-game winning streak, having not given up more than one goal at home in 11 matches while sporting the best defensive record in the league. 

FC Naples (13-9-8, 47pts) – In its first playoff game, FC Naples embraced the gritty, by-any-means soccer that is needed in a knockout tournament and was able to survive a penalty shootout against the defending League One champions, No. 5 seed Union Omaha. Backup goalkeeper Joel Serrano proved the hero as he came on after an injury to starting goalkeeper Edward Delgado in the 123rd minute, saved one penalty kick, and saw one hit the post, helping the hosts win the shootout 4-3 after a scoreless draw and extend their season at least one more game.  

All-Time Series 

Knoxville stole the inaugural meeting between the two sides in April, leaving Naples with a 1-0 victory behind a penalty kick from Kempes Tekiela, before the return fixture in Tennessee ended scoreless. Knoxville outshot Naples in both contests. 

Opta Says 

125 – One Knox set a League One record by blocking 125 shots during the regular season and added six more in the Quarterfinal match. 

42 – Naples entered Omaha’s penalty area 42 times, the second-most entries by the club this season. The third-highest total by Naples came in its clash against Knoxville early in the season. 

Players to Watch  

One Knoxville SC – Kempes Tekiela: The German attacking midfielder recorded two assists in Knoxville’s playoff opener, delivering a pinpoint corner delivery for Sivert Haugli’s opener before feeding Stavros Zarokostas as he charged toward goal for the side’s second goal. Tekiela was the only player to find the net in the two regular season meetings between these clubs.  

FC Naples – Karsen Henderlong: The rangy striker finished second in the League One Golden Boot race with 14 goals, but was kept quiet against Omaha this past weekend, recording only two shots and recording only three touches inside the opposition penalty area. The striker also leads the team in Expected Goals, shots on target and total shots. 

Uniforms 

Discipline Report 

One Knoxville SC – none 

FC Naples – none 

Officials 
REF: JC Griggs 
AR1: Seun Yinka-Kehinde 
AR2: Nicholas Seymour
4TH: John Matto