One Knox Draws 1-1 on the Road against Union Omaha, Thanks to Ilic's Late Penalty
Published on June 23, 2023 under United Soccer League One (USL1)
One Knoxville SC News Release
One Knoxville SC (5-4-5) comes back to tie 1-1 at Union Omaha (2-3-7) on Wednesday night in Papillion, Nebraska.
While One Knox came off one of its best performances of the season against the Charlotte Independence, Union Omaha entered the match having not won in its last six matchups.
The first half was slow and gutsy. Union Omaha had most of the shots and chances, with seven shots but only one on target. One Knox had only three shots (two on target) and only a 0.16 xG in the first 45 minutes (Union Omaha: 0.34 xG).
By the end of the half, neither team could break through, and the squads went into the locker rooms scoreless. Both goalkeepers only had to make one save each in the first period.
Union Omaha struck just moments after the second half kicked off. Striker Noe Meza fired a free kick from around 25 yards out past goalkeeper Sean Lewis to give Omaha a 1-0 lead. It was Meza's seventh goal of the season.
Knoxville pressed in the second half and had opportunities to equalize throughout with 60% of the possession and six shots (four on target) in the later 45 minutes. The defense also held Omaha without a shot in the final 30 minutes, plus stoppage time to finish the game.
The equalizer finally came when forward Sebastian Andreassen was fouled inside the box in the 91st minute to give One Knox a penalty. Forward Ilja Ilic, who subbed on with Seba in the 66th minute, stepped up to the spot and scored to save a point for Knoxville in the 92nd minute. It was Ilic's second goal of the season.
Both teams pressed in the final six extra minutes of game time, but neither team netted a winner, ending the game in a 1-1 draw.
One Knox's late draw moves them to 20 points in the standings, putting them in third place with 14 games played. Union Omaha gets its seventh draw of the season and remains below the playoff line in 10th place with 13 points.
Knoxville will continue its road trip in Virginia, where the team will take on the Richmond Kickers at their ground on Saturday night June 24th at 7PM eastern. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.
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- One Knox Draws 1-1 on the Road against Union Omaha, Thanks to Ilic's Late Penalty - One Knoxville SC
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