Naples Hosts Knoxville in Battle of Unbeaten Clubs
After surviving Richmond last week, Naples has another big test at home
FC Naples will host One Knoxville SC for the first time ever on Saturday night at the Paradise Coast Sports Complex.
Both teams suffered disappointing mid-week losses in the US Open Cup. Naples fell to the Tampa Bay Rowdies in penalty kicks after taking the USL Championship side 120 minutes with a 1-1 draw. Meanwhile, Knoxville fell to the 2024 USL Championship title winners Colorado Springs Switchbacks 3-2, also an extra time affair.
Having come that close to defeating big time clubs in a higher division, both sides return to league play hungry to assert dominance in USL League One.
Match Factors
Defense: these are two of the tightest defenses in the league.
Naples came out of the gate strong this year, with four clean sheets and only two goals conceded in league play. Both goals were long range, low xG stunners. Further, goaltender Lalo Delgado has only been forced to make seven saves in his six matches, indicating a bulk of the work is being done by the defenders.
Naples’ defense is led by centrebacks Jake Dengler and Brecc Evans, fronted by defensive midfielder Chris Heckenberg. Denger and Evans also have a goal each in league play this season, both off of corner set pieces.
Knoxville, meanwhile, has always been known for having a stingy defense, going back to its inaugural season in 2023. This year has been no different so far, with only two goals conceded in three league matches. Goaltender Johan Garibay has two clean sheets, and has also faced relatively few shots - only 8 in those three matches.
Knoxville’s defense is fronted by centreback pairing of Jordan Skelton and Dani Fernández. The Knoxville setup also typically includes two defensive midfielders, with at least one acting in a two-way capacity. Options include veterans Angelo Kelly, Sivert Haugli, and Callum Johnson, and newcomer Abel Caputo.
Goal Scoring: both sides are set up to have the potential to score a lot of goals.
Naples’ front line includes Jayden Onen and Andrés Ferrín on the wings, with current Golden Boot leader Karsen Henderlong in the middle. While Henderlong has five of the squad’s nine league goals, Ferrín has provided two, while Onen has an assist, six shots and three chances created.
Speaking of chances, Naples is designed to provide them from all over the pitch. While Ferrín leads with seven, they’re also coming from Luka Prpa in the midfield, as well as Ian Cerro, Julian Cisneros and Henderlong. This is a squad that goes deep, and is notoriously difficult to defend.
While Knoxville has struggled with goal scoring over the last two seasons, this year there are strong signals that new coach Ian Fuller may have unlocked whatever was holding them back. Key to this new dynamic is Mark Doyle, a massive upgrade on the left side. His presence has allows more freedom for Kempes Tekiela in the middle, and has turned Stavros Zarokóstas into a deadly option on the right. Zarokóstas has responded by showcasing his talents in creating accurate chances. Both of his chances created have converted into assists this season.
Pre-Match Notes
FC Naples goalkeeper Lalo Delgado is currently 4th overall in the league when it comes to clean sheets. He can move into 3rd place on this list with just one more.
FC Naples is currently on a six match unbeaten streak to start its inaugural season. Only Omaha (8), Charlotte (7) and North Texas (7) have gone more matches unbeaten in an inaugural season.
Injuries & Absences
Naples: Justin Weiss (injury)
Knoxville: James Thomas (injury)
Suspensions: none