A New Era for the Club, the City, and American Soccer
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (March 19, 2025) – One Knoxville SC proudly joins the United
Soccer League (USL) in celebrating a transformational moment in American soccer,
with the announcement of the forthcoming introduction of promotion and relegation
across a unified three-tier professional system.
The promotion and relegation system will link the newly announced USL Division One
when it launches in 2027-28, with the USL Championship and USL League One. Clubs
will have the chance to earn promotion to a higher league or risk relegation to a lower
league based on season performance.
This bold, historic decision creates a new opportunity where clubs like One Knoxville
can rise through the ranks on merit, and opens up a future where the club can pit itself
against some of the biggest teams and cities in the United States.
“This is more than just a shift in structure, but a fundamental change in how soccer
clubs in America can think about themselves,” said One Knoxville Managing Partner
Drew McKenna. “Promotion and relegation creates real stakes and real rewards until
the very last day of the season, as fans of European soccer have seen for years. This is
an incredible opportunity for our club, our players, and most importantly, our community.
We’ve always dreamed big in Knoxville, and now we can dream even bigger.”
The move aligns U.S. soccer with the global game, echoing the traditions of leagues
such as the Premier League, La Liga, and Bundesliga, as well as the types of storylines
made famous by television series like Ted Lasso and Welcome To Wrexham. For fans in
East Tennessee, it means more matches that matter, with every tackle, every save and
every goal now carrying greater weight. Whether climbing toward the top or battling to
stay in touch, the stakes are higher and every moment more meaningful.
“As an American and soccer fan, I never thought we’d get the chance to experience
promotion and relegation in our country,” said Head Coach Ian Fuller. “What an exciting
and historic moment for One Knox, the United Soccer Leagues, and soccer in the
States. Promotion and relegation makes sure that every match means something, which
hasn’t always been the case in our country. Exciting times ahead for all soccer fans.”
More information about the implementation timeline and structure will be announced in
the coming months. In the meantime, One Knoxville invites fans, partners, and the
entire community to rally behind this next chapter.
