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. [2] 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. [3] 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. [4] 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. [5] In April 2011 he signed with Carolina RailHawks FC of the North American Soccer League. [6] 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. [7] 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. [8]
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. [9] He would finish his time in the MLS with 82 starts and 85 appearances overall. A 33-29-20 record with 19 cleans sheets.
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. [16]
Knighton is married and has three children. In 2023 Knighton’s daughter Olivia tragically died in a boating accident. [17] 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. [18] Knighton’s alma mater UNC Wilmington have also started holding an annual Olivia night game. [19]
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