The playoff race in USL League One got a healthy dose of clarity in Week 32, but the stakes remain high across the division. The lead in the hunt for the Players’ Shield changed hands this weekend, and the home playoff spots are hotly contested. Even the clubs that are mathematically eliminated brought their “A” game; it might be the end of 2026, but no one’s waving the white flag.
Where do we stand in the hunt for the playoffs, and what stood out across League One in Week 32? Let’s dig in.
One Knox’s changing offense
Last fall, One Knox grew into their best selves. By platforming left back Stuart Ritchie high up the sideline, letting him hammer crosses into the box, and turning a baseline 4-2-3-1 into a three-at-the-back offensive shape, Knoxville won themselves the double and earned Ritchie a move to the USL Championship. That’s not to say One Knox were bad previously, but manager Ian Fuller felt out his options before finding the right one.
We might be at a similar inflection point for this club in 2026. Personnel choices have mattered, but it’s a new approach in build that’s changing Knoxville’s outlook – an approach that remained key across Week 32.
Since the start of September, One Knox’s average pass in the defensive third has travelled 19.1 yards upfield, up from 17.2 yards during the first six months of the season. In turn, this team is spending less time in the middle third of the pitch, playing 18 less passes per match in that zone. The newfound directness (and Fuller’s lineup choices in support of it) was on show in Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Chattanooga.
Lots of these movements in the build-up phase where Goling (orange) sits between lines and Denis Krioutchenkov (blue) pops left to draw attention, love the variety. pic.twitter.com/K9SGs7fx4L
— John Morrissey (@USLTactics) October 7, 2026
The relationships across Knoxville’s attacking positions were vital against the Red Wolves. Striker Denis Krioutchenkov resolutely declined to take up actual striker positions, constantly drifting into the channels to test Chattanooga. Beneath (or beside?) him, Mikkel Goling mixed No. 10ish pursuit of the ball between lines with sharply vertical runs. Winger Nico Rosamilia basically mirrored Goling, whilst Stavros Zarokostas added true width off the right sideline.
Together, the foursome had everything that was needed to pull Chattanooga lines apart and quickly move upfield. Within 10 minutes of play, a Rosamilia run over the top drew a red card, and Knoxville never let off the gas thereafter. That ease was rarely apparent on Sunday against Spokane. In a 2-0 loss against the Velocity, One Knox had to face down a team that chose to sit in, mark through the middle third, and steadfastly deny the possibility of the long ball.
