Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET
Venue: Greenwood Field (UNC Asheville), Asheville, North Carolina
TV: Paramount+ / CBS Sports Network | Tickets: Available via Asheville City SC site / UNC Asheville athletics
Game Overview
This Second Round U.S. Open Cup clash is a classic David-vs-Goliath matchup at historic Greenwood Field on the UNC Asheville campus. Host Asheville City SC (USL League Two) earned their first-ever Open Cup victory in the First Round with a dramatic 3-1 upset over former USL League One side Greenville Triumph SC. One Knoxville SC (USL League One), the defending 2025 league champions and Players’ Shield winners, advanced with a 3-1 First Round road win over SC Vistula Garfield. Asheville (amateur/college-heavy roster) hosts for a second straight round after the Greenville win; One Knoxville travels as the clear professional favorite in what is billed as a renewal of the regional “Smoky Mountain Series” rivalry.
Recent Team Forms
Asheville City SC: The Blues are riding high on cup momentum after their historic First Round triumph (goals from captain Evan Southern in the 13th minute, Ashton Bilow in the 82nd, and Ben Assane Fall in the 99th). They have shown late-game resilience and clinical finishing against higher-division opposition. No full 2026 league record is available yet, but the Open Cup run marks their biggest moment in club history. Form in competitive action: W (cup).
One Knoxville SC: The defending USL League One champions opened 2026 with mixed league results (1-1-1 overall early in the season, including a 3-2 road win and a 2-1 home loss that ended a long unbeaten streak at Covenant Health Park). They dispatched their First Round Open Cup opponent comfortably 3-1. Form: W-L-W in recent competitive fixtures.
Probable Lineups & Player Matchups
Asheville City SC (likely compact 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 under their coaching staff, featuring college talent): Gabriel Perotta or Felix Huebner (GK); back line including Johnny Fenwick, Ernest Mensah, and others from UNC Asheville/Xavier/Syracuse rosters; midfield with Ryan Baer, Alejandro Padilla, and Ashton Bilow; attacking options Evan Southern (captain, scorer in Round 1), Ben Assane Fall (late hero), and Tresor Mbuyu or Maxwell Keenan.
One Knoxville SC (professional 4-2-3-1 or similar under head coach Ian Fuller): Nico Rosamilia is sidelined (see injury report), so expect rotation with returning title-winners like Jordan Skelton (2025 Defender of the Year) anchoring defense, plus key attackers from the championship side (Murphy, etc.).
Key Matchups
Evan Southern / Ben Assane Fall vs. One Knoxville backline (Jordan Skelton & Co.): Asheville’s clinical finishers who delivered late magic vs. Greenville will test Knoxville’s defense on counters.
Asheville midfield control vs. Knoxville’s possession: The home side will look to disrupt with energy and set pieces; Knoxville’s pro midfield should dominate the ball but must avoid complacency in a hostile cup atmosphere.
Greenwood Field crowd factor: Expect a passionate home crowd (gates open 6:00 PM) creating a true Open Cup cauldron against the pro visitors.
Injury Report
Asheville City SC: No formal injuries reported. As a USL League Two/college-heavy side, the roster draws from local talent with full availability expected for this high-stakes home fixture.
One Knoxville SC: Winger Nico Rosamilia (key attacking piece and recent championship contributor) is out for the first two months of the 2026 season with an injury. No other major absences noted, but the squad will rotate to manage early-season league demands.
Series History
This is a renewed regional rivalry (Smoky Mountain Series). One Knoxville SC defeated Asheville City SC in their most recent prior U.S. Open Cup meeting (2024). Overall, the clubs have limited history, but Knoxville holds the edge in professionalism and past cup encounters. Winner advances to the Third Round (potential MLS matchup).
Weather Updates
Game-time conditions at Greenwood Field (open-air venue in the mountains): Mid-to-upper 50s°F (around 55–62°F at kickoff, cooling into the low 50s by late evening), mostly cloudy with a chance of light showers (20–40% precipitation risk), light winds ~5–12 mph, moderate humidity. Typical late-March Asheville evening—playable but potentially slick underfoot if showers arrive. No postponement concerns; fans should prepare for cool, damp conditions.
MATCH ODDS
Asheville City SC + 250
One Knoxville SC – 140
Draw + 350
Over 2.5 – 110 Under 2.5 + 100
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, March 30, 2026
