NEWS & NOTES 

SPOKANE LOOKS TO BECOME THIRD LEAGUE ONE CLUB TO REACH FINAL IN FIRST TWO SEASONS

After surviving a tightly contested Quarterfinal against South Georgia Tormenta FC where an extra time penalty for each squad led to a 4-3 penalty shootout, Spokane Velocity FC is one win away from becoming the third League One club to reach the Final in its first two seasons. Spokane made a run to the 2024 Final as the No. 7 seed before falling 3-0 to the league’s first two-time champions, Union Omaha. The Velocity were a much-improved regular season side, earning the No. 3 seed, allowing them to host their first playoff match last weekend. 

A win against Portland Hearts of Pine would see Spokane join Greenville Triumph SC and Union Omaha as the only clubs to make the final in its first two campaigns. 

Most USL League One Finals Appearances 

T-1. Greenville Triumph SC – 3 (2019, 2020, 2021) 
T-1. Union Omaha – 3 (2020, 2021, 2024) 
T-3. North Texas SC – 1 (2019) 
T-3. South Georgia Tormenta – 1 (2022) 
T-3. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC – 1 (2022) 
T-3. North Carolina FC – 1 (2023) 
T-3. Charlotte Independence – 1 (2023) 
T-3. Spokane Velocity FC – 1 (2024) 

SERRANO, MERANCIO PLAY HERO IN PENALTY SHOOTOUT 

After an injury to FC Naples’ starting goalkeeper in the 123rd minute, Joel Serrano subbed into the match and became an instant hero. The Puerto Rican keeper made one save and saw one hit the post to help FC Naples take down defending champions, Union Omaha. Spokane Velocity FC relied on a 115th minute tying goal to send its Quarterfinal match to penalty kicks. In the shootout, Carlos Merancio caught Mason Tunbridge’s panenka attempt and watched the final kick miss the net to secure Spokane’s first home playoff victory. 

Saves made during penalty shootouts in USL League One Playoffs 
Brooks Thompson, North Carolina FC – 1 save vs. Charlotte Independence, 11/5/23 
Brooks Thompson, Spokane Velocity FC – 1 save vs. Forward Madison FC, 11/9/24 
Joel Serrano, FC Naples – 1 save vs. Union Omaha, 11/1/25 
Carlos Merancio, Spokane Velocity FC – 1 save vs. South Georgia Tormenta FC, 11/2/25 

ONE KNOX SWEEPS OCTOBER OF THE MONTHS 

One Knoxville SC had an October to remember, capturing the Players’ Shield on the final day of the regular season, and today earned the USL League One Player of the Month and Coach of the Month honors. Senegalese striker Babacar Diene had three goals and three assists in five matches through October, helping him become the first One Knox player to score 10 goals in a single season. Ian Fuller was named Coach of the Month after leading Knoxville to four wins in five matches, earning two shutouts. Under Fuller, One Knox conceded the least goals during the regular season (26 in 30 matches) and scored a club-record 43 goals. With a win over FC Naples this weekend, Knoxville can become the second-straight and fifth overall No. 1 seed to reach the League One Final.

Discipline Report – Week 36 

TAMPA, Fla. - No players or coaches are on the discipline report for Week 36 of the 2025 USL League One season.