ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Asheville City Soccer Club will host One Knoxville SC on March 31 in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup at Greenwood Field after earning the club’s first tournament victory.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., with gates opening at 6 p.m. The match will air nationally on CBS Sports Network.
The Asheville City Blues advanced with a 3-1 win over Greenville Triumph SC in the opening round, marking the club’s first Open Cup victory.
Asheville opened the scoring when Evan Southern converted a cross from Rai Pinto for the club’s first goal in tournament history. Greenville equalized on a free kick by Devin Boyce, sending the match into halftime tied 1-1.
Ashton Bilow scored in the 82nd minute off a cross from Ben Assane Fall, who added a goal in stoppage time to seal the win.
The second-round matchup renews the Smoky Mountain Series, a regional rivalry that began in 2022 between the clubs. Asheville won the first meeting, while Knoxville claimed the most recent contest, a 2-0 victory in the 2024 Open Cup at Greenwood Field.
One Knoxville, the defending USL League One champion, enters as the higher-division side.
The winner advances to the Round of 32, when Major League Soccer teams enter the competition. The U.S. Open Cup is the country’s longest-running soccer tournament, featuring clubs from amateur to professional levels.
Parking will be available across the University of North Carolina Asheville campus, with nonresidential lots open after 5 p.m. Lots near the athletic complex and Kimmel Arena are expected to fill first.
Tickets are available on the club’s website.
