Jonathan Burke’s run in the U.S. Open Cup continued against D.C. United, and once again, the match came down to him.
One Knoxville went on the road to face MLS opposition and played through a 3–3 match that stretched the full 120 minutes. By the end, nothing separated the teams. The difference only came when the game moved to penalties, where Knoxville won 6–5.
Burke made the only save of the shootout.
That was enough.
A Different Kind of Match
This wasn’t the same kind of performance Burke had in the previous round against Asheville City. That night required constant involvement and a high number of saves just to keep the game alive.
Against D.C. United, the game unfolded differently. It was open, with both teams finding goals and momentum shifting throughout. Knoxville responded every time they were pushed, and by the end of extra time, the match had settled into a draw that neither side could break.
For Burke, it meant staying ready without being overwhelmed by volume. There were fewer moments, but each one carried more weight.
The Decisive Moment
The shootout was clean from both teams.
Each penalty was taken with confidence, and neither side gave anything away early. It felt like the kind of sequence that would go deep, possibly decided by a miss rather than a save.
Then came D.C. United’s attempt from Gabriel Pirani.
Burke read it, committed, and made the stop.
There was no rebound, no second chance. Just a clean save in the one moment where it mattered.
Knoxville converted the next penalty and the match was over.
Back-to-Back Performances
What stands out is how different the two performances have been across these rounds.
Against Asheville, Burke carried the match through volume, dealing with sustained pressure and repeated chances over 120 minutes. Against D.C. United, the role shifted. The game didn’t demand constant intervention, but it required full concentration for the one moment that would decide it.
He handled both.
In back-to-back knockout matches, Burke has been the difference in two completely different ways. First by keeping his team alive, and then by finishing the job.
Gold Star Performance — Champion 1.0
Burke delivered this performance wearing the Champion 1.0, built for matches where the margin is one moment.
Shop the Champion 1.0 here: https://www.goldstargoalkeeping.com/products/champion-1-0
From extended matches to penalty shootouts, the Champion 1.0 is designed for goalkeepers who need to trust their gloves when the outcome is on the line.
Looking Ahead
With the win, One Knoxville moves on to the Round of 16, and Burke’s impact on this run continues to grow.
Two matches, two shootouts, and two decisive performances.
In a competition like the U.S. Open Cup, that’s often all it takes.
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Jonathan Burke Shines in U.S. Open Cup as One Knoxville Defeats Asheville City