LEXINGTON, Ky., and KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – When One Knoxville SC and Lexington SC kick off their respective inaugural professional seasons in a head-to-head matchup on March 18th, there will be more than just wins and losses on the line – there will be a barrel and a bottle up for grabs, too.
The winner of the aggregate total of the three games between the clubs will take with them bragging rights, a full-size whiskey barrel, and a bottle of bourbon from a distiller located in the losing Club’s locale.
“There are already decades of history between our cities and states across the sporting landscape,” said Steven Short, Chief Operating Officer of Lexington SC. “As expansion clubs in USL League One, launching in the same season, we are thrilled to add our own traditions to those colorful rivalries while providing fans on both sides of the state line the opportunity to travel to the entire series. We are excited to launch this competition in Knoxville Saturday and expect this to be one of many additions to our trophy cabinet.”
“Knoxville and Lexington have a long – mostly friendly – history as sporting rivals. To be starting our professional club history against our friends up north is a treat,” said Drew McKenna, Partner at One Knox. “We’re looking forward to a great inaugural game on Saturday and to hoisting the whiskey barrel after winning the season series later in the summer. Finally, thanks to Company Distilling for their partnership and support. Win or lose, we’ll send Lexington home with a bottle of Company. Like most things, bourbon is better in Tennessee.”
Other information:
● The barrel and bottle will go to the victor of the season series aggregate. After all three games have been played, whichever club leads on aggregate score will earn the trophy. Should the aggregate be tied, the first tiebreaker will be goals scored and second tie breaker will be away goals scored.
● Lexington SC and One Knox will execute a fan-lead naming campaign for the rivalry over the course of the season. Follow the Clubs’ social channels for more information.
About Lexington Sporting Club
Lexington Sporting Club is a U.S. Soccer professional soccer club competing in USL League One (U.S. Soccer Third Division Men’s Professional Soccer League). Launching its inaugural professional season in 2023, the professional team is the pinnacle of the soccer eco-system in Lexington and features more than 1,400 players within its youth and academy systems, a pre-professional women’s team beginning in 2023 in the USL W League and is in the process of building the club’s formal stadium, performance center and training fields.