CARY, N.C. (Oct. 13, 2023) – North Carolina FC wraps up the 2023 USL League One regular season this Saturday, October 14, as they host One Knoxville at WakeMed Soccer Park for a 7:00 p.m. ET kickoff. Having already clinched a top three seed in the playoffs, there is still plenty at stake for John Bradford’s side on the final day of the season. North Carolina FC enters the match at 18-7-6 for 60 points.
North Carolina clinches a top-two seed and first-round bye with a win Saturday, guaranteeing a home playoff fixture on October 28 in the league semifinals. Due to the total wins tiebreaker, an NCFC win combined by any dropped points by Union Omaha in their match at Forward Madison will secure the Players’ Shield for NCFC, which would be the first for the club. Omaha kicks off simultaneously with the match in Cary, so fans should use social media to follow along live as results come final. If NCFC drops any points on Saturday, all eyes will turn to the Northern Colorado match, which kicks off at 9:00 p.m. ET, as NCFC will be the two- or three-seed dependent on the result.
NCFC has a top-three offense and top-three defense in the league this year with a +18 goal differential, nine clean sheets, and rides into the finale unbeaten in four straight matches. North Carolina FC has three of the top seven players in all of USL League One in Goals+Assists. Oalex Anderson ranks second (23), Rafa Mentzingen ranks third (17) and Garrett McLaughlin ranks seventh (15). Only South Georgia Tormenta also have multiple players in the top 10.
North Carolina’s defensive depth will be tested in the league finale due to a pair of disciplinary suspensions. DJ Benton saw a late red card in the win against Lexington while midfielder Mikey Maldonado, who leads the team in minutes from his center midfield role, will miss the match due to yellow card accumulation.
Scouting One Knoxville
League newcomers One Knoxville have been a formidable side in their first year as a professional club, entering the final weekend of the regular season at 9-11-11 in eighth place in the table. While now eliminated from playoff contention thanks to a five-match winless streak, Knoxville was in the thick of the post-season race for much of 2023, enjoying two separate five-match unbeaten stretches.
They’ve built an identity of physicality and have a strong ability to force opponents into grind-out games. They’ve allowed just 37 goals this season, which is second fewest in the league, but scored only 35 — also the second fewest in the league. They have also committed the fourth-most fouls and seen 88 yellow cards and six red cards.
Jake Keegan has led the offensive attack with six goals and three assists, while Derek Waldeck leads the club with six assists and 45 chances created. Defensively, Angelo Kelly-Rosales has a team-high 50 tackles won while familiar name Jordan Skelton has a team-best 181 duels won and 114 aerial duels, which ranks second in the league.
Next Up
North Carolina FC sets sights on the post-season for the first time since the USL Championship playoff in 2019 and first time ever in USL League One. NCFC will have a home match for either a quarterfinal on Saturday, October 21, or a semifinal on Saturday, October 28, depending on the results this weekend. Playoff tickets are on sale now at www.northcarolinafc.com.
