Asheville City SC’s first appearance in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup was a short one thanks to a dominating first-half showing from One Knoxville SC, its opening-round opponent on Wednesday night.
Behind two first-half goals, including a last-second strike in injury time from midfielder Callum Johnson, One Knoxville claimed a 2-0 victory in front of a crowd of 1,115 at UNC Asheville’s Greenwood Field.
“They say the perfect time to score is right before halftime because it dictates the pace of the second half,” Knoxville coach Mark McKeever said of Johnson’s late goal. “It completely changed the dynamic of this game.”
Johnson’s late dramatics capped a dominating first-half performance that saw Knoxville get out to an early lead. Forward Rodolfo Johnson poked a shot past Asheville keeper Tyler Turner in the 13th minute for a 1-0 advantage, which was almost doubled 10 minutes later when midfielder Angelo Kelly-Rosales got behind the defense but couldn’t get past Turner.
Asheville’s offense was held without a shot until the 29th minute, but forward Mason Duval nearly found the equalizer with a shot just over the crossbar in the opening minute of injury time. Knoxville outshot Asheville 6-3 in the first half and also dominated time of possession.
“You have to credit Asheville, though,” McKeever said. “They fought hard tonight. They didn’t let us close things out.”
Knoxville defender Jalen Crisler was sent off with his second yellow card of the match in the 61st minute after a hard challenge just outside of the 18-yard box. Asheville’s offense was able to press with the extra man, but despite 11 second-half shots and several corners, failed to find the back of the net.
In his professional debut, Knoxville goalkeeper Johan Garibay finished with a clean sheet and drew praise from his coach.
???? @OneKnoxSC’s number 9️⃣ getting the party started!⁰⁰Rudi Castro’s 17th pro goal gives Knoxville the early @opencup lead ???? ⁰⁰#USOC2024 pic.twitter.com/rBqKaWjQ3s
— USL League One (@USLLeagueOne) March 20, 2024
“I think he deserves man of the match for his performance today,” McKeever said.
With the win, Knoxville advances to Round 2 of Cup play, which will be played April 2-3.
The victory also adds another chapter to a growing regional rivalry. Wednesday night’s game was the third meeting between the clubs as they play for a hiking boot-shaped trophy in their Smokey Mountain Series. The trophy was welded by Knoxville native Alex Magnuson, who played college soccer at East Tennessee State University.
.@OneKnoxSC make it ✌️ #USOC2024 | @opencup pic.twitter.com/8iyhoQOn38
— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) March 21, 2024
Now, One Knoxville returns home with the trophy and the bragging rights until the next meeting in the Smokey Mountain Series.
