The 25-year-old Knighton was originally acquired by the Union in the 2009 Major League Soccer Expansion Draft from the New England Revolution, as a result of the club’s inaugural season.
Raised in Hickory, NC, Knighton began his time with the Union as a backup goalkeeper, making his first MLS appearance under Nowak’s instructions at FC Dallas on August 8, 2010. He played a total of 21 minutes before getting ejected on a straight red card.
On September 11, 2010, Knighton replaced the embattled Chris Seitz as the starting goalkeeper after earning a shutout in a 1-0 victory over the Chicago Fire. In his only ear with Philadelphia, Knighton started eight games in goal, logging a total of 652 minutes. He also accounted for 180 scoreless minutes against international powerhouses Celtic FC, Manchester United and Chivas de Guadalajara in his first year with the club, including the full 90 minutes against Chivas.
In the end, Knighton performed admirably as Seitz's replacement but his upside was limited and he was considered expendable after the club signed veteran GK Faryd Mondragon and drafted University of Maryland netminder Zac MacMath.
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