Kyle Knotek
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Kyle Knotek | ||
Date of birth | February 19, 1988 | ||
Place of birth | Geneva, Illinois, United States | ||
Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) | ||
Position(s) | Midfielder, Wingback | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | FC Linköping City | ||
Number | 12 | ||
Youth career | |||
2006–2010 | Northern Illinois Huskies | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2007–2010 | Chicago Fire Premier | 29 | (0) |
2012–2014 | Dayton Dutch Lions | 21 | (0) |
2014 | Palloseura Kemi Kings | 7 | (0) |
2015 | Närpes Kraft Fotbollsförening | 17 | (0) |
2016- | FC Linköping City | 1 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of August 4, 2016 |
Kyle Knotek (born February 19, 1988 in Geneva, Illinois) is an American soccer player who plays for FC Linköping City in Sweden.
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
- http://blogs.democratandchronicle.com/devo/?p=7714
- http://www.soccerwire.com/news/usl-pro-richmond-kickers-delicate-named-player-of-the-week/?loc=cascadia
- http://sports.blogs.starnewsonline.com/11761/chirishian-named-to-usl-pro-team-of-the-week/
- http://www.niuhuskies.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/knotek_kyle00.html Huskies profile
- http://forms.cosida.com/documents/2008/11/19/2008AAAMSOC.pdf
- http://www.niutoday.info/2010/11/23/huskie-soccer-player-kyle-knotek-earns-place-on-cosida-academic-all-american-first-team/