Michael Knapp

Michael Knapp
Personal information
Full name Michael Knapp
Date of birth (2000-01-30) January 30, 2000 (age 24)
Place of birth Bloomfield, New Jersey, United States
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Chattanooga Red Wolves
Number 66
Youth career
2016–2017 Cedar Stars Academy
2017–2018 New York Red Bulls
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2019 Montclair Red Hawks 35 (3)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018 New York Red Bulls U-23 1 (0)
2019 FC Motown 5 (0)
2020–2021 Morris Elite 0 (0)
2021–2022 New York Red Bulls II 43 (0)
2023 Rio Grande Valley 7 (1)
2024– Chattanooga Red Wolves 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:36, October 16, 2023 (UTC)

Michael Knapp (born January 30, 2000) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for USL League One side Chattanooga Red Wolves.

Club career

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Born in Bloomfield, New Jersey, Knapp played prep soccer at Bloomfield High School[1] and began his career with the Cedar Stars Academy before joining the youth academy at the New York Red Bulls in 2017.[2] On July 15, 2018, Knapp played in one match for the New York Red Bulls U-23 in the Premier Development League against the Ocean City Nor'easters, coming on as a late substitute during the 1–2 defeat.[3]

In the fall of 2018, Knapp began attending Montclair State University and playing college soccer for the Montclair Red Hawks.[4] He made his collegiate debut on August 31, 2018, against SUNY Oneonta.[4] He ended his first season starting in all 17 matches for the Red Hawks and earning the New Jersey Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year award.[5]

During Knapp's sophomore season, he scored his first Red Hawks goal on August 31, 2019, against the St. Joseph's-Brooklyn Bears and scored a goal each in two conference matches against the William Paterson Pioneers and TCNJ Lions.[4] He played in 18 matches that season, scoring the 3 goals, and earned the NJAC Midfielder of the Year award.[6]

New York Red Bulls II

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On November 13, 2020, Knapp signed with USL League Two club Morris Elite, however, on April 23, 2021, it was announced that Knapp had signed with USL Championship side New York Red Bulls II, the reserve side of the New York Red Bulls.[7][8] He made his professional debut for the club on April 30 against Hartford Athletic, starting in a 2–3 defeat.[9]

Austin FC

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On January 11, 2022, Knapp was drafted by MLS side Austin FC.[10]

Rio Grande Valley FC

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Knapp joined Rio Grande Valley FC of USL Championship on January 26, 2023.[11]

Chattanooga Red Wolves

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On July 19, 2024, Knapp signed with USL League One side Chattanooga Red Wolves.[12]

Career statistics

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As of match played October 14, 2023[13][14]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Playoffs Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
New York Red Bulls U-23 2018 Premier Development League 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
FC Motown 2019 National Premier Soccer League 5 0 0 0 3 1 8 1
New York Red Bulls II 2021 USL Championship| 22 0 22 0
2022 21 0 21 0
Rio Grande Valley FC 2023 7 1 7 1
Career total 56 1 0 0 3 1 59 2

Honors

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Individual

  • 2018 NJAC Rookie of the Year
  • 2019 NJAC Midfielder of the Year

References

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  1. ^ "New York Red Bulls II Sign Former Bloomfield High Midfielder Michael Knapp", TAP into Bloomfield, April 23, 2021. Accessed May 4, 2021. "Former BHS soccer player, midfielder Michael Knapp, has been signed to a USL Championship contract by the New York Red Bulls II, pending federation and league approval."
  2. ^ "Michael Knapp - U.S. Soccer Development Academy". U.S. Soccer Development Academy.
  3. ^ "Michael Knapp". USL League Two.
  4. ^ a b c "Michael Knapp". Montclair State University.
  5. ^ "2018 NJAC Men's Soccer All-Conference Team Announced". New Jersey Athletic Conference. October 30, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  6. ^ "Knapp, Sanchez Earn Top Honors; Five Others Named All-NJAC". Montclair State University. November 6, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  7. ^ Maloney, Scott (November 11, 2020). "MORRIS ELITE CONTINUES TO BOLSTER USL 2 SQUAD". Morris Elite SC. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  8. ^ "IT'S KNAPP TIME: Red Bulls sign Academy midfielder". Front Row Soccer. April 23, 2021. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  9. ^ "New York Red Bulls II 2–3 Hartford Athletic". USL Championship.
  10. ^ "Montclair State's Knapp Drafted to Austin FC in MLS SuperDraft". January 11, 2022. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  11. ^ "Toros sign midfielder Michael Knapp". USLChampionship.com. USL Championship. January 26, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  12. ^ "Chattanooga Red Wolves Sign USL Championship Center Back Michael Knapp".
  13. ^ Michael Knapp at Soccerway
  14. ^ "2019 FC Motown Match Reports". npsl.bonzidev.com. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
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