Alcoa junior to see more playing time for One Knoxville soccer
Seventeen-year-old Leo Santos has one main goal – pun intended – for his second year playing for One Knoxville SC: Score his first goal as a pro soccer player.
The United Soccer League (USL) League One team has big plans for this season thanks to a 22-player roster comprised of nine new players and 13 returning players, including Santos, a junior at Alcoa High School.
"With the improvements that we've made this season, we're hoping to win a title, and we're hoping that Leo Santos does play a part in it," One Knoxville SC spokesperson Ami Rabiei said.
Santos, a forward, will be on the lineup for every home game, starting with the home opener March 23 against rival Lexington SC.
Santos re-signed with One Knoxville SC (1-0-0) for the 2024 season under a USL Academy contract.
Academy contracts allow players under 20 to train and play for professional teams while retaining college eligibility by not being paid.
Wearing number 15, Santos made his professional debut last season at the Oct. 6 home game against Richmond Kickers. He played two games last year, and he hopes to get more time on the field this year while balancing his school life.
"From the beginning, I think I've grown so much. But I think before it was kind of like you're a young kid, but now I think I have a chance to ... make an impact within the team," Santos said.
One Knoxville SC's season kicked off with a regular-season win at Charlotte Independence March 16, and a firstround tournament win in the U.S. Open Cup March 20 at Asheville City SC.
New rule gives Alcoa teen more playing opportunities for One Knoxville SC
Santos will be on the lineup to play all 16 home games this year, thanks to a new rule that allows for two extra players at home games if they're under 21.
Santos is working this season on improving his ball handling and movement. What he lacks in age and physique, he can make up for in playing style.
Before joining One Knoxville, Santos played for the Nashville SC Academy team, then signed the USL Academy contract to join One Knoxville SC last season. He's on an Academy contract again this season, and he'll play on One Knoxville SC and the One Knoxville Academy U19 team.
Other Tennessee teens who could play for One Knoxville SC in 2024
There are three other Tennessee teens who could see playing time on the One Knoxville Academy U19 team: Frank Manrod, Diego Ojeda and Leo Cruz.
They'll play on the One Knoxville SC Academy team in 12 games from May through November.
The USL Academy League is an opportunity to compete against other young players, improve skills and get noticed and potentially signed by One Knoxville SC.
Knoxville teen Manrod, 16, previously played for the Nashville SC Academy team and played for One Knoxville SC Academy last season under an academy contract.
Manrod said he is working to improve his ball carrying skills and speed in hopes of earning a spot on the One Knoxville SC roster.
Ojeda, another 16-year-old Alcoa High School student, played for the academy team last season. He's focusing on improving his athleticism this season and winning more academy games.
"Obviously, it's just starting my professional soccer," Ojeda said. "It'd be really awesome if I could sign an academy contract, because every day I come out here and I like playing with the guys and I learn so much. I feel like that'll just give me like a confidence boost on and off the pitch."
Cruz, 18 and from Nashville, is playing on the academy team this season, giving him an opportunity to train and learn with One Knoxville players. He's working to improve his skills in the midfielder and forward positions.
Keenan Thomas is a higher education reporter. Email keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter @specialk2real.