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Philadelphia Union Keeper Brad Knighton Makes Most Of Opportunity
The Union backup keeper got a rare league start -- and responded by posting the club’s first MLS clean sheet.
Sep 11, 2010 10:16:00 PM
By Ramin Majd
CHESTER, Pa. -- Tonight in Chester, the backup keeper really was the most popular man in the building.
In a move observers anticipated since team manager Peter Nowak made uncharacteristically critical comments about incumbent keeper Chris Seitz, the Philadelphia coach started Brad Knighton in net tonight against the Chicago Fire.
"As I have always said, those players make the roster," Nowak insisted after the team’s 1-0 win. "It was quite an interesting week from the goalkeeper perspective. Chris knew that after last week it was a possibility that he would sit on the bench."
To the surprise of no one, the Union head man would not commit to a starter for the club's next game, Wednesday at San Jose.
"These guys make the lineup. I am just the manager," Nowak claimed. "I am just looking at what is the best approach to make us successful. Today was a game-day decision."
The man of the match was gracious in his night of his triumph.
"I have to give all the credit to the guys in front of me," Knighton maintained. "They've worked their socks off all year. Tonight was our night and I’m glad for our team."
Sebastien Le Toux, Danny Mwanga, and the rest of Philadelphia’s attack have played well all season. The team's weakness has been the defense: the back line as well as the keeper position.
But not tonight.
"I think we fought really hard," defender and team captain Danny Califf noted. "Andrew Jacobson and Stefani Miglioranzi in the middle were fantastic clogging up plays and making it hard for [Freddie] Ljungberg and [Nery] Castillo to operate in front of us. It makes our job easier and I think over the past few weeks we've really emphasized as a team to defend better."
The Fire were handicapped by not have two of their best players on the field. Retiring American soccer legend Brian McBride was suffering with a quad injury, and Marco Pappa needed a break from playing two matches with the Guatemalan national team.
Even missing some talent, Chicago has been playing beneath expectations. Both coach and players were at a loss trying to explain the club's recent disappointing play.
"I think that sometimes we are not focused and we are not concentrating in the match," Fire head coach Carlos de los Cobos said. "In the last matches we are losing a lot of points. Sometimes we tie, sometimes we lose, and many points [are lost] in the last minutes of the games."
Keeper Sean Johnson has played well of late, allowing just one goal in his last two starts. But he admits the lack of wins has been trying.
"It’s always going to be frustrating when you don’t win games," he said. "I could care less about the saves I make if we don’t get a result. At the end of the day, we just need three points and we have to do whatever we can to get that."
For more from Goal.com contributor Ramin Majd, follow him on Twitter @rmajd. You'll make his day.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
In a move observers anticipated since team manager Peter Nowak made uncharacteristically critical comments about incumbent keeper Chris Seitz, the Philadelphia coach started Brad Knighton in net tonight against the Chicago Fire.
"As I have always said, those players make the roster," Nowak insisted after the team’s 1-0 win. "It was quite an interesting week from the goalkeeper perspective. Chris knew that after last week it was a possibility that he would sit on the bench."
To the surprise of no one, the Union head man would not commit to a starter for the club's next game, Wednesday at San Jose.
"These guys make the lineup. I am just the manager," Nowak claimed. "I am just looking at what is the best approach to make us successful. Today was a game-day decision."
The man of the match was gracious in his night of his triumph.
"I have to give all the credit to the guys in front of me," Knighton maintained. "They've worked their socks off all year. Tonight was our night and I’m glad for our team."
Sebastien Le Toux, Danny Mwanga, and the rest of Philadelphia’s attack have played well all season. The team's weakness has been the defense: the back line as well as the keeper position.
But not tonight.
"I think we fought really hard," defender and team captain Danny Califf noted. "Andrew Jacobson and Stefani Miglioranzi in the middle were fantastic clogging up plays and making it hard for [Freddie] Ljungberg and [Nery] Castillo to operate in front of us. It makes our job easier and I think over the past few weeks we've really emphasized as a team to defend better."
The Fire were handicapped by not have two of their best players on the field. Retiring American soccer legend Brian McBride was suffering with a quad injury, and Marco Pappa needed a break from playing two matches with the Guatemalan national team.
Even missing some talent, Chicago has been playing beneath expectations. Both coach and players were at a loss trying to explain the club's recent disappointing play.
"I think that sometimes we are not focused and we are not concentrating in the match," Fire head coach Carlos de los Cobos said. "In the last matches we are losing a lot of points. Sometimes we tie, sometimes we lose, and many points [are lost] in the last minutes of the games."
Keeper Sean Johnson has played well of late, allowing just one goal in his last two starts. But he admits the lack of wins has been trying.
"It’s always going to be frustrating when you don’t win games," he said. "I could care less about the saves I make if we don’t get a result. At the end of the day, we just need three points and we have to do whatever we can to get that."
For more from Goal.com contributor Ramin Majd, follow him on Twitter @rmajd. You'll make his day.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
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