GAME RECAP: One Knoxville 7-1 Southern Soccer Academy
A blowout victory and a first trophy for Mark McKeever's men, now officially South Central champions.
The sound of their music rang out in a chorus of voices and accents from around the world: ¡Campeones, campeones, olé, olé, olé!
Huddled together, One Knoxville’s players danced in unison on the field at Maryville College, singing their song of triumph: the celebration a culmination of a rollercoaster ride that saw them flatten the Southern Soccer Academy Kings 7-1, before retreating to silence as they awaited another result from across the mountain.
Earlier in the week, Asheville City had also won 7-1, threatening to spoil One Knoxville’s hopes of claiming their first major title—the USL League Two South Central championship—just as they had the team’s historic home opener not two months ago, coming to town and walking out with a 2-1 victory few of the 2,200 fans in attendance had expected.
But now Asheville were even, 0-0, in second-half stoppage time at home to Tennessee SC. That result would make it impossible for them to catch Knoxville at the top of the division. That result secure the first major accolade for head coach Mark McKeever and the club’s ownership.
Drenched in sweat from the humidity that enveloped them for 90 minutes as they rained down goals on their outmatched opponents, One Knoxville’s players did their best to spark some kind of telepathic connection with the referee at Asheville’s Memorial Park, pleading through their cell phones for him to blow the final whistle so they could be crowned champions.
And while all this was happening, McKeever’s back was turned. Because all he could think about was the journey, nearly a year-long now, that brought him to this moment.
It was last August that the Scotsman was contacted by One Knoxville’s owners about the possibility of joining the club for its inaugural season. They knew it would be some kind of statement: the new kids on the block signing the USL League Two’s Coach of the Year away from team he had just led to a national championship. In McKeever’s mind flashed the images from those first trips to Knoxville. The signing. The presentation. The building of his army. The Asheville defeat that fueled the doubts of those who could not imagine this being possible: that Knoxville could field an arrangement of players from all over the world who would fall in love with this city and bring it the glory its thousands of soccer supporters have craved for decades, even as the doubters assailed them: “Don’t hold your breath, this will never be a soccer town.”
He thought about the run of seven straight victories, of the 12 matches since that lone defeat.
And eventually McKeever too joined his players celebration. With a game yet to play, One Knoxville have both clinched playoff soccer and won their division.
As for the match itself, what can be said that wasn’t immediately washed away by the greater weight of glory?
For the past day, there was rain and thunder in the forecast. But against a brave Southern Soccer Academy team depleted by an outbreak of COVID-19, the only downpour in Maryville came in the form of goals: a cool-as-you-like opener from just inside the top of the 18 by the German Yannick Kranz; towering headers from the center-back trio of Finn McRobb, Dani Fernandez, and Alberto Suarez; two close-range finishes by the Afrifa twins, Simon and Stephen.
You can read my game recap for the Knoxville News Sentinel if you want all the details. Or you can go to the YouTube link at the bottom of this page and fast forward to minutes 13, 20, 33, 39, 62, 67, and 91 to see all the goals (some of which I’ll repost here in the next day).
But suffice to say One Knoxville is looking dangerous heading into the make-or-break part of the season. For opponents, giving up a throw-in or a free kick in your own half, or a corner from either side, is like jumping from the frying pan into the fire. Four of the seven goals on Saturday night came directly from set pieces. And once you’re in the fire, don’t expect to get out by going through the backline. One Knoxville has allowed only three goals in its past seven matches (and only one in three at Maryville College). In that time span, the team has scored 23 times Across the season, its goal difference of +25 is currently second best in the Southern Conference.
On Tuesday, One Knoxville will host bottom side East Atlanta (which they beat 2-0 on the road last weekend), when they will be presented with the South Central trophy. They’ll then prepare for the Southern Conference quarterfinals on Friday, June 22 (at a yet-to-be determined site).
Patty and I will release a podcast episode with our CAR TAKE from his ‘subio’ to complement this recap.
Gaffer’s Take
On what it’s like to deliver silverware in his first season at the helm
“We set those expectations at the start of season. The first one was to qualify for playoffs. Next one was to win the division. And honestly, we haven't exceeded expectations. We were meant to win it because we're the best team. We’ve shown that. The best team wins, simple as that. So I'm really proud of the boys for their work. Hard work is successful.”
On what was going through his head while waiting for the Asheville result
“I was actually starting to think back to when we started talking to Drew [McKenna], the ownership, about this journey that we're ready to embark on. And I think about those first days and those first conversations, and where we were then and where it's led to now. It’s been a special journey. But you know, I want more. I don't want it to stop. For me, this journey’s just beginning.”
On rotation with a large squad
“Everybody that is here is here for a reason. It’s because they're good enough to be here. It’s hard in the beginning. But as the rotation starts to function, and players start to believe in the rotation, start to believe in each other, start to understand the cycle of the rotation, then we get this quality game after game after game. And we're here. When was the last time we played bad? You know what, I still think we've got another gear; I still think we've got another two gears. We’ve got some monsters that are just great footballers. It makes my job really hard choosing the 11. But knowing that I've got seven players [on the bench] that are going to commit to coming on the field, and another another 15 [in the squad] that are gonna say, ‘I'm going to trust in his decision, and back him, and then play for him.’ It’s exceptional.”
On what opponents should prepare for when playing One Knoxville
“Hard work. That’s it.”
Dani Fernandez
On the chemistry within the team
We have really good connections on the field. But it's because we have really good connections off the field. I always tell my parents that after practice we are hanging out for 30-40 minutes on the field. And when we are back in our apartments, at the pool, we’re there for two hours just hitting the ball with our heads. Everyone is quality on the ball. But they’re also really good people. As I said, we are not done yet. I think we have something special here.”
Finn McRobb
On scoring his third goal of the season off a set piece
“A lot of times you’re just looking to get something on it, and the delivery from crosses has been unreal. Jamesy, the skipper, has been brilliant recently whipping the balls in. It’s good to see the center-backs getting on the scoresheet tonight.”
On his parents traveling from Scotland and attending the match
“It means everything to me. Growing up, for Celtic, my mom my dad were always there. I can count the number of games they've missed on one hand. It means the world that they can be here in person and see a good performance.”
On the acclaim he’s gotten this season as a top prospect and occasional captain
“I try to keep it simple, not think about that stuff too much. Go out and give my all, do what I’m good at. What I will say is that the team that we created here, the atmosphere, it's been first class. That helps get the best out of me.”
Simon and Stephen Afrifa
Simon on his family’s reaction to seeing them combine on the sixth goal
“I know for sure my sister is gonna be ecstatic about it. She’s gonna call me right away when I get back. She’s gonna post everywhere on Instagram.”
Stephen on playing with his twin brother here and at Florida International University in the fall
“It’s obviously exciting. We haven't played together the last two years. I've been playing with him my whole life, so it’s easy to understand what he wants, where he wants to run, where he wants to ball. And the same goes for me: he understands what I want to do. So it's very easy to get along with him. And it's exciting. Hopefully we build on this in the fall and have a great season.”
Stephen on leading the team with 8 goals for the season
“I came in and had target in mind of the amount of goals I wanted to score. I’m a couple of goals away from it. But we've still got games left. Scoring a goal is absolutely amazing. I told the kids on the sideline when I was warming up that I was going to score for them. So when I actually did, it felt amazing. I ran over to them and celebrated with them. They loved it, and love’s going to help this team win.”
Watch the full match on YouTube