
Backup to make first MLS start for Whitecaps against Real Salt Lake
VANCOUVER – Brad Knighton’s long wait for his first Major League Soccer start with the Vancouver Whitecaps is about to end.
Knighton will start between the posts Saturday as the Caps (9-7-7) host Real Salt Lake (13-8-3) in the second meeting between the teams in three weeks. He gets the nod as starter Joe Cannon serves a one-game suspension after taking a red card for a deliberate hand-ball in Salt Lake on July 27.
“Obviously, emotions are probably going to be going (Saturday),” said Knighton.
He will try to keep emotions in check while making his first MLS start since October 2010, when he was still playing for the Philadelphia Union.
“I’ve (started) here in the Canadian championships at home in front of our crowd,” he recalled. “It was nice to be able to do that. But being able to come out in my first MLS start for the Whitecaps is going to be something special and something that I’ll always remember.”
Knighton, 27, who was born in Hickory, N.C., and raised in Richmond, Va., has only made two relief appearances with the Whitecaps in league play without allowing a goal thus far. Both appearances came on the road. Knighton replaced an injured Cannon in the second game of the season against Chivas USA in May and on July 27 in Salt Lake City, he came on after the starter was ejected in the second half.
Knighton, a former University of North Carolina-Wilmington standout, was never drafted by an MLS club. He spent last season with the Carolina RailHawks in the NASL after four campaigns going up and down between New England, Philadelphia and Portland in the MLS, as well as with USL’s Indiana Invaders.
He played every minute for Carolina in 2011 — quite a contrast from this season.
“Obviously, it’s difficult,” said Knighton. “But we’ve done very well up to this point. I’m just sitting here biding and waiting for my time. I’m just going to welcome it with open arms, put together a good performance and the rest will take care of itself.”
The Whitecaps, coming off a two-week break following a 2-1 loss to Salt Lake, are looking to make amends after losing a game they felt should have gone their way instead. With a win Saturday, the fourth-place Caps can move within five points of second-place Salt Lake.
Vancouver coach Martin Rennie was Carolina’s field boss last season and brought Knighton to the Whitecaps with him. He said the club has considerable confidence in Knighton after watching him blank MLS shooters in two strong performances, and allowing only one goal in Canadian championship play against Edmonton.
“He knew coming in that (Cannon) was the No. 1, and he’s accepted that,” said Rennie. “It’s always difficult to play second-fiddle, but that’s what he’s been doing and he’s done it very well. He trains hard, he’s got a great attitude, and now he needs to take his chance now that it’s come along.”
Vancouver captain Jay DeMerit sympathizes with Knighton. “Being No. 2 is a different and difficult role to play,” said DeMerit.“I think Brad does it well. He’s consistent in training. He’s available when needed, and when called upon, he’s performed. Hopefully, he can do it again for us (Saturday).”
Although the Whitecaps have been playing well, they only collected a win and a tie in their past five games. A tired DeMerit struggled in the last game with Salt Lake and committed two rare miscues that led to both goals against and to Cannon’s ejection.
He is looking to rebound as the Caps seek revenge for their loss.
“Sometimes things don’t bounce your way, but you’ve gotta take your punches when you get them,” said DeMerit. “Hopefully, we can all turn things around for (Saturday).”
Notes: Newly-acquired defender Andy O’Brien is expected to suit up for his first game for Vancouver, but he is not expected to start. … No. 3 goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre will serve as Knighton’s backup after recovering from a knee injury he’s battled for most of the season. … Five Whitecaps have been called up for friendlies with their respective national teams. Canadian Russell Teibert will suit up against teammate Carylyle Mitchell when Canada meets Trinidad and Tobago in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on Wednesday. Darren Mattocks and Dane Richards will represent Jamaica against El Salvador the same night in Washington, D.C. On Tuesday, Etienne Barbara will play for his native Malta in an away match with San Marino. Barbara will miss both Saturday’s game and Wednesday’s game against Dallas. Mattocks, Richards and Teibert will miss just Wednesday’s game against Dallas. … Salt Lake will play without injured defenders Chris Schuler (foot)and Jamison Olave (hamstring) and goalkeeper Lalo Fernandez (wrist).
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