Brad, I thought you were a goalkeeper?

Position: Goalkeeper

Number: 18

Born: February 6, 1985

Birthplace: Hickory, NC

Height : 6’1

Weight: 180

Previous Team: New England Revolution

College: UNC-Wilmington

Salary: $40,000 (2010), $34,000 (2009)

How acquired (Union): Taken in the Expansion Draft on November 25, 2009 by the Philadelphia Union

Stats

2010 with Philadelphia: 8 games, 2 shutouts, 3-3-1 with a 1.1 GAA

2009 with New England: 6 games, 36 saves serving as back-up to Matt Reis in New England

2007-8 with New England: Big part of the reserve squad

Media Scouting

• “I feel like I’m pretty good in the air and pretty good shot-stopper. But everyone’s a good shot-stopper at this level. I’m really good with my feet; I really work a lot at playing on my feet. I actually grew up playing forward. I started playing goalie when I was 12, so the footwork kind of came along with that. My distribution and taking crosses are also strengths as well” Knighton on his strengths from a 2007 interview

• Albright replacement Amaechi Igwe did well batting the ball away, Jay Heaps made critical plays, but Brad Knighton was the star of the show, confident under heavy pressure and making seven saves with cat-like reflexes. L.E. Eisenmenger, Boston Examiner

Did You Know?

• Knighton is holds UNC-Wilmington’s record for career shutouts (24) and best Goals Against Average (1.07)
• You can follow Brad on Twitter at Bbknighton
• Knighton went undrafted at the 2007 MLS Superdraft and the Supplemental Draft. Thanks to his college coach, Aidan Heaney (a former Revs goalkeeper in 1996-1997), he latched on with New England and earned himself a contract
• Spent 8 games on loan with the Portland Timbers of the USL/NASL during the 2008 season
• Was married in 2008
• His MLS debut was March 28, 2009 vs.  the New York Red Bulls