The nature of a USL League 2 club building a roster for the US Open Cup is incredibly different from that of pro teams. Since it is “out of season” for USL League 2 clubs, a roster has to be recruited match by match. Clubs scour the list of free agents available to try to build a roster capable of taking down a professional team despite limited time to gel. Because of this, there is naturally roster turnover in between rounds.
A new player the Blues have recruited for the upcoming match against One Knoxville SC is midfielder Angelo Kelly-Rosales, who captured the USL League 1 title with One Knox just last season.
Kelly-Rosales’ professional career started back in 2018 with the Charleston Battery in the USL Championship. While in the Palmetto state, he racked up 97 appearances and 7 assists at the pro level, including playing 290 minutes over 3 appearances in the US Open Cup. He then moved to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds for a season, logging 27 appearances, including 2 in the Open Cup.
In 2023, he made a move to none other than One Knoxville SC. He found a lot of success in Knoxville, registering 7 goals and 8 assists in 96 matches and capturing the Players’ Shield and USL League 1 championship last season. Now, he will suit up for Asheville City on Tuesday night against his former club, looking to help the Blues pull off a cupset twice in a row. Read the Q&A we did with Angelo below to learn more about him before cheering him on in the USOC.
Q: What do you bring to the squad as a player?
A: I bring experience, professionalism, and a winning mentality. I try to lead by example every day in training and in games.
Q: You played for One Knoxville before and won the 2025 USL League 1 Title there. How will that experience help you in a big match like this?
A: Winning a championship teaches you how to handle big moments and pressure situations. I understand what it takes mentally and physically to perform in important games. Experiences like that help me stay calm, focused, and ready to compete when the stakes are high.
Q: What convinced you to suit up for ACSC for this round?
A: It honestly came together pretty quickly. McKeever reached out to see if I was available and interested, and he connected me with Head Coach Scott. After we spoke, it was an easy yes for me because I just love competing and being on the field. Having played against Asheville before, I’ve seen how much they’ve grown under Scott. He’s built a strong, organized squad over the years, and it definitely shows. I’m excited to be part of it for this match.
Q: You played against ACSC back in the 2024 edition of the USOC. What do you remember about the fans and atmosphere that day?
A: I remember the energy. The fans were loud, passionate, and really behind their team. You could feel it from warmups all the way through the match. Those are the types of environments you enjoy playing in as a professional.
Q: What does the USOC mean to you?
A: It’s a special competition because every year you see lower division teams compete with and even upset professional teams. It really shows the quality that exists at every level of the game. It also gives players a platform, exposure, and an opportunity to prove themselves against higher competition. I’m grateful to be part of a tournament like this and excited for the opportunity to compete.
Q: What are you most excited about for this experience?
A: I’m very grateful to everyone who helped make this opportunity possible and allowed me to get back on the grass to compete. I’m excited to help ACSC continue building its history and to be part of this moment with the group. I’m also really looking forward to playing in front of the ACSC fans; They’re the heartbeat of the club, and I’m excited to experience that energy and be part of it.
You can buy your tickets to watch Angelo and the Blues take on One Knoxville SC at Greenwood in the Second Round of the USOC here. Kickoff is at 7:00 PM on March 31st. If you cannot make it to the game, it will be nationally televised on CBS Sports Network.
