One Knox SC played in the national spotlight Sept. 27 but failed to capitalize on the moment, finishing in a 0-0 tie with Westchester SC at Covenant Health Park.
Knoxville's match was shown on ESPN2, marking the stadium’s first-ever national broadcast and the second consecutive scoreless draw at home for One Knox (13-6-9, 48 points).
"I don't think (the match being on ESPN) put too much pressure on us," One Knox assistant coach James Thomas said. "I wish we would have made a better showcase of ourselves in front of the goal because this is massive for soccer in the city."
Knoxville's defense stood strong in the game. Westchester didn't record a shot on target the entire match. One Knox answered with three on the net, but couldn't get the ball to sneak
by. One Knox held possession for 59.5% of the match and tallied 12 shots.
"Football matches are won and lost in the boxes," Thomas said. "Sometimes it doesn't matter how good you are between the 18s. You've got to make it count when you get those chances."
One Knox has 48 points this season and ranks fourth in the USL League One. Knoxville hasn't clinched a playoff spot yet but is inching closer with another one-point result. The top eight teams qualify, while the top four host postseason action.
One Knox top moments, man of the match: Sunday, Sept. 27
Man of the match: Johan Garibay had the easiest night he could've asked for with the national spotlight on him, not having to make a save in his clean-sheet effort.
- Fun for the fans: One Knox enhanced the in-stadium experience with pregame fireworks. The Scruffs supporter section also dropped a banner that nearly covered the entirety of Section 118, with the text "Welcome to the Smoky Mountains."
- Almost had it: Nico Rosamilia gave One Knox its best scoring opportunity in the 80th minute. The midfielder sent a screamer from outside the box off the cross bar.
- No more goal-scoring luck: Including stoppage time, One Knox has now played 201 consecutive minutes of soccer at Covenant Health Park without scoring a goal. The club has tied back-to-back home matches nil-nil. "Is it a confidence issue? Is it a quality issue?" Thomas said. "That's what myself and other coaches (ask). We need to lock ourselves away in the war room and try and figure it out. We need to be scoring goals at home, That is pretty much a non-negotiable for us."
One Knox back at Covenant Health Park
Only two regular season home games remain for One Knox, which is still fighting for a playoff spot and home-field advantage in the postseason. The next chance to gain points on home grass is Oct. 7 against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: One Knox struggles to score in Covenant Health Park’s national TV debut
