A crisp mountain backdrop set the scene as NPSL side Appalachian FC and USL League One team One Knoxville met on the second night of the 2025 US Open Cup. The teams seemed equally matched, but goals from Leo Santos (16’), Babacar Diene (63’), and Scott McLeod (74’), as well as a clean sheet from Knoxville’s goalkeeper Johan Garibay ensured their place in the next round with a 3-0 victory.
The teams wasted no time showing their strength, but a corner kick given in the 15th minute to One Knoxville led to the sole goal of the first half. A right-footed strike by Santos found the back of the net, with a headed assist from Dani Fernandez.
When asked about the match, defender Dani Fernandez said it was tough with this being their second away game in a row.
“We just came from Seattle, and winning and having a clean sheet on the road is very special,” he said. Fernandez also credited Appalachian FC, saying that this was a very competitive match.
Coming into the second half, One Knoxville heavily rotated its squad, using all five substitutions to bring out fresh legs from the locker room. Even so, Appalachian made it clear that they weren’t giving up without a fight, pressing against the professional team when possible.
In the 63rd minute, Knoxville doubled the lead from a free kick taken by Diene. Chances continued to come for Appalachian, but the second goal was joined by a third just 11 minutes later, with Diene assisting McLeod’s strike in the 74th minute. Eventually, it was Appalachian substitute Jeremiah Luoma (one of the team’s returning players) with the biggest chance for ruining a clean sheet: a powerful header that sailed just over the crossbar in the 85th minute.
One Knoxville’s coach Ian Fuller cited the team’s travel earlier this week against Spokane Velocity FC and praised his club for its resilience.
“This isn’t an easy competition to win in – you saw it last night – teams in the higher divisions have lost, so it’s not easy to come on the road after our travel and the preparation,” Fuller said. “We were finally able to break through with three set piece goals and (we’re) tickled pink to have a shutout.
“But you have to give App FC a lot of credit. They fought really, really hard and made it really difficult on us. We’re happy to move on.”
What’s next for these teams? Appalachian FC’s NPSL season begins May 10 at home against Port City FC and One Knoxville will visit Texoma FC this Saturday. One Knoxville will continue its Open Cup journey in the next round on either April 1 or 2.