Kyle Knotek

Kyle Knotek
Personal information
Full name	Kyle Knotek
Date of birth	February 19, 1988 (age 36)
Place of birth	Geneva, Illinois, United States
Height	5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Position(s)	Midfielder, Wingback
Team information
Current team	Undecided
Number	-
Youth career
2006–2010	Northern Illinois Huskies
Senior career*
Years	Team
2007–2010	Chicago Fire Premier
2012–2014	Dayton Dutch Lions
2014	Palloseura Kemi Kings
2015	Närpes Kraft Fotbollsförening
	*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 6, 2012

Kyle Knotek (born February 19, 1988 in Geneva, Illinois) is an American soccer player who last played for the Närpes Kraft Fotbollsförening in Finland.

Youth Soccer

Club

Knotek spent the majority of his youth career playing for the Chicago Magic 1987/1988. During his time there, the club managed to win 5 States Cup titles and 3 Midwest Regional titles; His magic team also made it to the national final two times losing to the Dallas Texans Soccer Club both times.

Knotek was also involved in the Olympic Development Program where he was selected to the state team and regional team three times including international trips to Italy and Costa Rica.

College

Knotek attended Northern Illinois University. Throughout his career at NIU, Knotek played various positions including outside back, outside midfield and center midfield. He started nearly every game he played in at NIU including the Huskies 2006 Mid-American Conference title game against University of Akron when he was a freshman; Knotek also played in the Huskies win over the Loyola Ramblers in the NCAA Division 1 Round of 64 and their loss to the Indiana Hoosiers in the next round.

Knotek had a fairly successful career both on and off the field where he was selected as an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Men's Soccer Second Team member in 2008 and then later selected as an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Men's Soccer First Team member in 2010.

Knotek spent the majority of his college summers playing for the Chicago Fire Premier. During his time there, the organization was successful highlighted by the Premier's appearance in the 2009 PDL National Championship in which he started.

Professional Career

F.C. Gifu

After finishing his college career, Knotek was selected to attend the United Soccer League's 2011 combine. His performance earned him a trial with F.C. Gifu in the J. League Division 2. After a month on trial, Knotek chose to leave due to the escalating Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster that occurred while he was on trial.

Dayton Dutch Lions

Later in 2011, Knotek was selected by the Dayton Dutch Lions as the #10 for upcoming 2012 United Soccer League season. In 2012, the Dutch Lions did not have much success in the United Soccer League, but they did manage quarter final run 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup before eventually losing to the eventual champions Sporting Kansas City. During this year Knotek was honored as part of the United Soccer League's team of the week on May 15 and July 24 in addition to one honorable mention on May 22. Knotek re-signed for the Dutch Lions in 2013, but, after starting the first two games, his season was ended short by an injury.

Bridges FC / Palloseura Kemi Kings

After a full recovery, Knotek trained with The Dayton Dutch Lions and then the well-renown Chicago program named Bridges FC; a program helping players get showcased and sign in Europe. During the second transfer window, Knotek was selected to sign to the Palloseura Kemi Kings, who, at that time, were at the top of the table in the Kakkonen Pohjoinen (Northern). The Palloseura Kemi Kings went on to win the league and also win their promotion playoff into the Ykkönen.

Närpes Kraft Fotbollsförening

After a successful trial, Knotek was signed, at the time, as the only Non-European Union player for Närpes Kraft Fotbollsförening. He signed as a central midfielder, but spent time on the outside and at wingback as well. Knotek earned individual prizes for his performances both at home and on the road; all in different positions.

Honors

Team

Chicago Fire Super 20's

2007 North American Super-20 Runners-up (Epping, NH)

Chicago Fire Premier

2009 PDL Central Conference Champion
2009 PDL North American Finalist

Palloseura Kemi Kings

Kakkonen: 2014

Individual

USL Team of the Week May 15, 2012
USL Team of the Week July 24, 2012
USL Team of the Week Honorable Mention May 22, 2012

External links

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