TAMPA, Fla. – One Knoxville SC got back to its winning ways over the weekend with an exciting 2-1 win over the Sarasota Paradise at Covenant Health Park. Forward Eli Conway and defender Will Perkins were recognized for their stellar performances, with both named to the USL League One Week 23 Team of the Week on Tuesday.
It is the first time that either player has received such honors this season.
“It means everything that the team relied on me,” Conway said after the victory. “I’ve remained patient and they’ve never lost faith in me. Just thankful that they put me out there and that I was able to do the job.”
Saturday was a particular special night for Conway. Not only did the first-year winger earn his fourth start of 2026, but he rewarded Head Coach Ian Fuller’s confidence in him by opening the match’s scoring in the 52nd minute with his first professional goal.
Going the full 90 minutes, Conway also led One Knox with 12 duels won and three successful dribbles, in addition to winning possession four times and three of his four attempted tackles.
Perkins also contributed with three tackles won, while leading the way with 84 total touches to go along with seven duels won. The outside back was also the catalyst in the eventual match-winning goal from Babacar Diene, clearing a Sarasota shot off the line in the fourth minute of second half stoppage time to ignite Knoxville’s counter attack on the other end of the pitch.
With Perkins and Conway earning Team of the Week honors for Week 23, it adds to the long list of One Knox players that have been recognized this season.
Defender Scott McLeod was named for Week 19/20. Midfield Teddy Baker and defender Finn McRobb were picked for both Week 17/18 and 16, while forward Kyle Linhares also earned a selection in Week 16.
Forwards Krioutchenkov and Diene were selected for Week 8/9 where Fuller also picked up his first Coach of the Week honors of the season. Diene, along with Linhares and John Murphy Jr. earned Week 7 honors, while goalkeeper Johan Garibay was tabbed in Week 6 and Week 5, along with forward Braudilio Rodrigues.
Defender Jaheim Brown was selected to the Week 4 Team of the Week, as well as Week 1 along with Baker, Stavros Zarokostas, Murphy Jr. and Krioutchenkov who earned Player of the Week.
One Knox returns to action this weekend for away match against Greenville Triumph SC on Saturday, August 15. The club then will head back to Tennessee for a pair of home matches against Portland Hearts of Pine on August 19 (tickets) and AC Boise on August 22 (tickets).
USL League One Team of the Week | Week 23
Goalkeeper – Amal Knight, Greenville Triumph SC
Defenders – Hayden Anderson, Richmond Kickers; Jack Keaney, Corpus Christi FC; Javen Romero, Charlotte Independence
Midfielders – Darwin Espinal, Richmond Kickers; Kevin O’Connor, FC Naples; Eli Conway, One Knoxville SC; Sergio Ors Navarro, Union Omaha
Forwards – Blake Bowen, Corpus Christi FC; Jerry Desdunes, AV Alta FC; Blake Bodily, AC Boise
Bench – Lalo Delgado, FC Naples; Younes Boudadi, Union Omaha; Will Perkins, One Knoxville SC; Shannon Gomez, Corpus Christi FC; Philip Mayaka, AC Boise; Laurence Wooton, Union Omaha; Souaibou Marou, Charlotte Independence
Coach – Eamon Zayed, Corpus Christi FC
