Brad Knighton

College and amateur soccer

Knighton played four years of college soccer at UNC-Wilmington. During his time with Wilmington he would be named a two-time All-State selection and two-time All-CAA pick, including First-Team during his senior year in 2006. He was named to the NSCAA/Adidas All-Region team following an outstanding final season with the Seahawks. He would also play for the Indiana Invaders in the USL Premier Development League.

Professional career

Undrafted by Major League Soccer, he attended a New England Revolution tryout in early 2007 and was good enough to be invited on trial for the preseason. He impressed during the trial in Bermuda, winning a spot as the Revolution's third-choice keeper and a developmental contract with the club. The signing made him the first soccer player from UNC-Wilmington to be on a MLS roster.

After spending his first year and a half with the Revs behind Matt Reis and Doug Warren, he was loaned to the Portland Timbers on July 2, 2008, for the remainder of the 2008 Major League Soccer season. The move was aimed at getting Knighton some valuable playing time as he had seen no first team action while with New England. He has now moved on to coaching the academy .

Knighton was selected by Philadelphia Union in the 2009 MLS Expansion Draft on November 25, 2009. His first action with the team was a start in a friendly against Manchester United in which he allowed no goals before being replaced at halftime. He made his league debut for Philadelphia on August 8, 2010, against FC Dallas away, but was sent off for denying of an obvious goalscoring opportunity in 22nd minute. In his next start, he shut out the Chicago Fire at PPL Park on September 11, 2010, earning his first professional clean sheet, and also Philadelphia's first in franchise history. He was given a second consecutive start of the season vs. San Jose but was not able to hold down the starting position over the rest of the season, finishing with just 8 appearances.

On January 25, 2011, Knighton was waived by Philadelphia. In April 2011 he signed with Carolina RailHawks FC of the North American Soccer League. Leading the team to a regular season title and being named NASL Best XI.

Knighton signed with Vancouver Whitecaps FC of MLS in January 2012. After Joe Cannon, the starting goaltender for most of the season, had a blunder against the Portland Timbers in August 2012, Knighton established himself as the starting goalkeeper.

Knighton was traded back to New England in December 2013 in exchange for a conditional pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft.

Knighton would spend the last 7 years of his career with the revolution mainly in a backup role. In 2016 Knighton was pivotal in the team’s run to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final, starting four matches in the tournament. In 2021 he would appear in 6 games going 5-1 with 3 clean sheets as the revolution went on to win the Supporters shield. He would play his final season in 2022 before ultimately retiring. He would finish his time in the MLS with 82 starts and 85 appearances overall. A 33-29-20 record with 19 cleans sheets.

Managerial career

After retirement Knighton would stay a member of the Revolution now in a Managerial role. On January 4th 2023 he would be named manager of revolution U19 academy team. In just his first year he would lead the team to a MLS NEXT Cup championship. He would stay as head coach for one more year the following season.

On January 25th 2025 he was named the goalkeeping coach of the Revolution 2.

Career statistics

Club

Honors

New England Revolution

• Supporters' Shield: 2021 Carolina Riverhawks

• NASL Supporters Cup: 2011 individual

• New England Revolution Humanitarian of the Year: 2022

• UNC Wilmington hall of fame (2018)

• NASL Best XI: 2011 Managerial

• U19 MLS next cup champion: 2023

Personal life

During his playing days, Knighton was a steady presence in the New England community. Knighton showed his support of countless charitable initiatives, working with Special Olympics Massachusetts and the Revolution Unified Team. Knighton was also consistently involved in the club’s efforts to support childhood cancer patients as a regular volunteer with Binkeez for Comfort and a mainstay on the club’s visits to local hospitals.

Knighton is married and has three children. In 2023 Knighton’s daughter Olivia tragically died in a boating accident. In 2024 Knighton and his wife started the Olivia foundation in honor of their late daughter. The organization's goal is make a difference in all the ways the couple think Olivia would have wanted. So far they have hosted holiday toy drives in her name. They are also aiming to establish a scholarship program at Attleboro High School. Knighton’s alma mater UNC Wilmington have also started holding an annual Olivia night game.

References

References

1. "Brad Knighton". New England Revolution.
2. link. (September 27, 2007 ''UNCW Athletics'', February 26, 2007, retrieved March 5, 2007.)
3. (July 2, 2008). "New England Revolution Loans Out Two Players".
4. link. (November 28, 2009)
5. Philadelphia Union Communications. (January 25, 2011). "Union Waive Goalkeeper Knighton". Philadelphiaunion.com.
6. (April 4, 2011). "RailHawks Release Roster | North American Soccer League". Nasl.com.
7. (January 17, 2012). "Whitecaps FC acquire goalkeeper Brad Knighton | Vancouver Whitecaps FC". Whitecapsfc.com.
8. "Revolution acquires GK Brad Knighton from Vancouver before trade deadline". New England Revolution.
9. Brad Knighton MLS career summary https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/brad-knighton/#:~:text=BRAD%20KNIGHTON%20AT%20A%20GLANCE%3A&text=Has%20posted%20a%2033%2D29,save%2C%20and%20124%20goals%20against.
10. Revolution U19s win MLS next cup https://www.revolutionsoccer.net/news/revolution-academy-wins-mls-next-cup-championship-in-under-19-age-group#:~:text=FRISCO%252C%2520Texas%2520%E2%80%93%2520The%2520New%2520England,Academy%2520program%2520in%2520the%2520future.%E2%80%9D
11. New England Revolution II name Brad Knighton goalkeeper coach https://www.revolutionsoccer.net/news/new-england-revolution-ii-name-brad-knighton-goalkeeper-coach
12. {{Soccerway. brad-knighton/7374
13. "Brad Knighton {{!}} SoccerStats.us".
14. "Brad Knighton - Vancouver Whitecaps".
15. UNC hall of fame https://uncwsports.com/honors/uncw-athletic-hall-of-fame/brad-knighton/51
16. revolutionsoccer.net. "Brad Knighton announces retirement, transitions to coaching role with Revolution Academy {{!}} New England Revolution".
17. (2023-07-20). "Olivia Knighton, daughter of former Revolution goalkeeper Brad Knighton, killed in Myrtle Beach boat accident - CBS Boston".
18. Bird, Hayden. (2023-11-03). "Revolution coach Brad Knighton, family announce The Olivia Knighton Foundation to honor late daughter".
19. (2024-10-04). "Men's Soccer to Host Second Annual 'Olivia's Game'".