NAPLES, Fla. (WINK)—FC Naples will host defending league champion One Knoxville SC on Saturday night in a matchup between the two teams currently tied at the top of the USL League One standings.
The game carries extra weight for FC Naples, who are still seeking redemption after last year’s semifinal loss to the same opponent. Goalkeeper Lalo Delgado said the team is motivated by that defeat.
“This team owes one. You’re the ones that eliminated us last year. So that just been the message, right back to our standards, back to winning ways and hard-working mentality,” Delgado said.
The goalkeeper emphasized the home-field advantage FC Naples plans to leverage.
“No one wants to come out here in this heat and play against us and the intensity that we play at,” Delgado said.
Despite the emotion surrounding the rematch and the leaderboard implications, Head Coach Matt Poland said his team will maintain their usual approach.