Israeli Striker Denis Krivoychenkov Named USL League One Young Player
Israeli-born striker Denis Krivoychenkov was named Young Player of the 2026 USL League One season after scoring 11 goals in his professional debut year with One Knoxville.
Denis Krivoychenkov, a 22-year-old Israeli-born striker playing in the United States, has been named the Young Player of the 2026 Season in USL League One. Born in Rehovot and raised in Wisconsin, Krivoychenkov enjoyed a stellar debut professional season with One Knoxville, netting 11 goals and providing five assists in the third tier of American soccer.
Journey from Tennis to Soccer
Krivoychenkov was born in May 2004 to parents Yuri and Tatiana, moving to the Milwaukee area around 2010 due to security concerns in Israel. Initially steered toward tennis by his mother to avoid injuries, he switched to soccer under his father's guidance. His father, a former semi-professional player in Russia, instilled a deep passion for the game in him.
After a prolific high school career at Shorewood, where he scored 116 goals, Krivoychenkov starred in collegiate soccer at Davidson College and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Graduating in December 2025, he signed with One Knoxville in January 2026.
Historic Rookie Season
Entering his rookie campaign with modest expectations, Krivoychenkov made an immediate impact by scoring a brace and providing an assist in his professional debut against Westchester. He later scored two goals in a stunning upset victory over Major League Soccer side D.C. United in the U.S. Open Cup.
"He has exactly the right qualities for a modern central striker," said One Knoxville head coach Ian Fuller. "He is physical, brave, capable of tearing the net, and also has a measure of sophistication in his game."
Winning the award with 42 percent of the votes from league technical staffs, Krivoychenkov has captured the attention of soccer scouts, raising questions of whether Israeli clubs might soon take notice of the rising talent born in Rehovot.
