One Knoxville SC on 10-game unbeaten streak as playoffs near

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — One Knoxville SC haven’t lost a game in over 2 1/2 months as the regular season approaches its conclusion and the team seeks its first USL League One playoff birth.

Knoxville hosted league-leading Charlotte Independence on Saturday and fell behind in the first half on a goal by former Manchester United player Gabriel Obertan. One Knoxville was given a chance to tie the match with 20 minutes remaining when midfielder Angelo Kelly was fouled inside the box.

Kempes Tekiela stepped up to score the ensuing penalty kick for his team-leading ninth goal.

While Knoxville peppered the opposing goalkeeper with shots in the final minutes, the best chance fell to Charlotte in the 86th minute. Obertan’s right-footed shot hit the inside of the left post before rolling out for Knoxville goal kick.

The 1-1 draw extended Knoxville’s unbeaten run to 10 games and saw Tekiela move into second place for most goals in the league. The streak is their longest since joining USL League One last year and their second-longest after an 11-game unbeaten run in USL League Two in 2022.

Knoxville has two wins and two draws in the four games since Ilija Ilić was named interim head coach following the departure of Mark McKeever.

One Knox sits in fifth place with 25 points from 15 matches, four points out of first place and nine points ahead of the playoff line. They’ll hit the road for five of the seven remaining regular season matches.

A top-four finish would see Knoxville host a playoff quarterfinal on the weekend of Nov. 2.

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