Knox Soccer Podcast

FINAL EPISODE (FOR NOW): Farewell from Brian, Patty, and the KSP • #90

That’s right, folks. The ride is sadly over, as your gracious hosts bid you adieu after three years of episodes covering the best of Knoxville soccer. Over that time, we’ve chronicled the birth and rise of One Knoxville SC [http://oneknoxsc.com] and spoken to some legends of the local game, including youth coach Junior Santos [https://knoxsoccerpodcast.substack.com/p/legends-junior-santos-of-emerald], former Lady Vol and broadcaster Tori Beeler-Watson [https://knoxsoccerpodcast.substack.com/p/legends-tori-watsonlady-vol-knox], eventual NCAA D1 national champions Taylor Huff [https://knoxsoccerpodcast.substack.com/p/behind-the-ball-with-lady-vol-taylor] and Brian Pensky [https://knoxsoccerpodcast.substack.com/p/coach-calls-brian-pensky-of-ut-soccer], Maryville College head coach Pepe Fernandez (3x!), and current USL Championship professional Tyler Gibson [https://knoxsoccerpodcast.substack.com/p/homebred-w-knoxville-native-and-louisville?utm_source=publication-search]. We covered Bearden girls’ soccer’s run to a second consecutive state title [https://knoxsoccerpodcast.substack.com/p/the-pinnacle-of-glory-undefeated?utm_source=publication-search], powered by the current Florida Gator Brinley Murphy. We tried time after time to devise new ways to engage our listeners, including a merch store [https://knoxsoccerpodcast.substack.com/p/knox-soccer-podcast-merch-store] that, unfortunately, went nowhere. After a solid run, the revenue was simply not there to continue moving forward. But the door is not fully closed. Who knows what’s next? For now, listen in as we take you back through our favorite moments of the podcast and predict what’s to come as we, for the last time, attempt to answer the fateful question: is Knoxville really a soccer town? Listen to our full archive [https://knoxsoccerpodcast.substack.com/archive] of episodes. Thank you, as always, to Markman’s Diamonds & Fine Jewelry. Markman’s is a proud sponsor of the Knox Soccer Podcast and One Knoxville SC. Located at 6932 Kingston Pike, Markman’s has been Knoxville’s choice for diamonds and fine jewelry since 1976. Visit markmansdiamonds.com [https://www.markmansdiamonds.com/]. Thanks for listening! Subscribe to receive an email every time we post new Knox soccer content. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit knoxsoccerpodcast.substack.com [https://knoxsoccerpodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

End-of-2024 Interview: Pepe Fernandez on Becoming NCAA D3 All-Time Wins Leader & More • #89

In our final interview of 2024, Brian spoke with two-time KSP veteran Pepe Fernandez [https://mcscots.com/staff-directory/pepe-fernandez/74], head coach of the Maryville College men’s and women’s soccer teams, who recently broke the record for most wins (847) in NCAA D3 soccer history [https://www.instagram.com/p/DDVjBC7MZWr/]. That’s right, one of our very own is now in the national college soccer record books! Fernandez, a Franklin native and former Tennessee Wesleyan player, is a seven-time conference Coach of the Year (most recently in 2023). Since we last spoke in 2022, he led the Maryville College women’s program to consecutive Conference of the South Tournament championships. Besides discussing another historic season, Fernandez talks about the evolution of college soccer, his philosophy of the beautiful game, recruiting locally and internationally, and raising up another generation of coaches. He also participates in a lightning round, shedding light on his favorite warm-up drill, the funniest sideline moment, proposed rule changes, the standout moment of 2024, and more! Listen to our earlier episodes with Pepe Fernandez in 2022 [https://knoxsoccerpodcast.substack.com/p/soccer-in-east-tennessee-w-coach] and while he was at the World Cup in Qatar. [https://knoxsoccerpodcast.substack.com/p/kickabout-qatar-dispatch-from-pepe] Thank you, as always, to Markman’s Diamonds & Fine Jewelry. Markman’s is a proud sponsor of the Knox Soccer Podcast and One Knoxville SC. Located at 6932 Kingston Pike, Markman’s has been Knoxville’s choice for diamonds and fine jewelry since 1976. Visit markmansdiamonds.com [https://www.markmansdiamonds.com/]. Thanks for listening! Subscribe to receive an email every time we post new Knox soccer content. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit knoxsoccerpodcast.substack.com [https://knoxsoccerpodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Introducing Ian Fuller, One Knox SC's New Head Coach • #88

No better way to start the Christmas season than with the big news that One Knoxville SC [https://www.oneknoxsc.com/] has hired former Minnesota United assistant Ian Fuller as its next head coach! In this episode, Patty and Brian sit down with Fuller for an extensive conversation about what drew him to the Scruffy City, his days as a professional in the MLS and lower leagues of American soccer, and what he hopes to bring in approach and mentality to the USL League One club ahead of its 2025 season in the Old City Stadium! Biographical notes: Fuller, a son of the Pacific Northwest, is a former Clemson Tiger drafted by the MLS’s New England Revolution in 2002. He went on to win three titles in prior iterations of the USL with the Charleston Battery (2010) and Orlando City (2011, 2013), with stints as an assistant at both clubs. He followed former Everton legend Adrian Heath to Minnesota ahead of its inaugural MLS season in 2017. During his time there, the club finished as runners-up in the 2019 US Open Cup. Related links: * Buy tickets to see One Knoxville [https://www.oneknoxsc.com/tickets/] in 2025 at Old City Stadium. * Listen to Ian Fuller on the Minnesota United podcast [https://www.mnufc.com/news/coaches-corner-ian-fuller] in 2020. * Follow the latest USL League One news [https://www.uslleagueone.com/]. Thank you, as always, to Markman’s Diamonds & Fine Jewelry. Markman’s is a proud sponsor of the Knox Soccer Podcast and One Knoxville SC. Located at 6932 Kingston Pike, Markman’s has been Knoxville’s choice for diamonds and fine jewelry since 1976. Visit markmansdiamonds.com [https://www.markmansdiamonds.com/]. Thanks for listening! Subscribe to receive an email every time we post new Knox soccer content. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit knoxsoccerpodcast.substack.com [https://knoxsoccerpodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Playoff Bound: Scruffs' Tim Vacek Returns to Review the 2024 Regular Season • #87

The last time Patty and Brian had Tim Vacek, chairman of The Scruffs [https://knoxscruffs.wixsite.com/the-scruffs] supporters group, on the show was ahead of One Knoxville [https://www.oneknoxsc.com/]’s (9-6-5) home opener against Lexington SC. After a season of highs and surprises, the Capo returns with the Boys in Blue guaranteed a playoff spot. Only one point separates them from the Top 4 and a shot at home-field advantage in the USL 1 Quarterfinals! In our conversation with Tim, we touch on everything from the club’s fortunes to new relationships with players and fans, favorite moments, and what things may look like in 2025 at the Old City Stadium. PLUS, we challenge Tim to assign superlatives, including Best ‘Stache, Best Onfield Bromance, and The Player You’d Most Like to Crack Open a Cold One With (aka the Beer Me! Award). Related links: * Became a member [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSel8yZocu7ICFcrzgneUMb5NKqz01JkYSB-dRPqMC8XdnrxVw/viewform] of the supporters group for just $20. * Help fund One Knoxville youth club scholarships [https://fundly.com/youth-club-scholarships]. * Buy tickets to see One Knoxville [https://www.oneknoxsc.com/tickets/] in 2025 at Old City Stadium. * Follow The Scruffs on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/knoxscruffs/]. Thank you, as always, to Markman’s Diamonds & Fine Jewelry. Markman’s is a proud sponsor of the Knox Soccer Podcast and One Knoxville SC. Located at 6932 Kingston Pike, Markman’s has been Knoxville’s choice for diamonds and fine jewelry since 1976. Visit markmansdiamonds.com [https://www.markmansdiamonds.com/]. Thanks for listening! Subscribe to receive an email every time we post new Knox soccer content. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit knoxsoccerpodcast.substack.com [https://knoxsoccerpodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

TEKIELA TIME! Getting to Know Kempes, One Knoxville's German Sharpshooter • #86

In this episode, Patty and Brian sit down with Kempes Tekiela, the man behind more than half of One Knoxville SC’s goals across all competitions this season. The Big German moved to Knoxville from Luxembourg First Division side Union Titus Pétange earlier this year and has been making the most of his time in America. Listen in as we get to know Kempes, from his story of joining Borussia Dortmund’s youth academy as a boy and debuting as a pro to making the big move across the pond in search of goals, glory, and a bit of the American life he experienced growing up with shows like One Tree Hill and Friday Night Lights. All that, plus the return of Know Your Knox Trivia—you don’t want to miss this! Thank you, as always, to Markman’s Diamonds & Fine Jewelry. Markman’s is a proud sponsor of the Knox Soccer Podcast and One Knoxville SC. Located at 6932 Kingston Pike, Markman’s has been Knoxville’s choice for diamonds and fine jewelry since 1976. Visit markmansdiamonds.com [https://www.markmansdiamonds.com/]. Thank you for reading Knox Soccer Podcast. This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit knoxsoccerpodcast.substack.com [https://knoxsoccerpodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]