Kyle Knotek

Kyle Knotek
Personal information
Full name	Kyle Knotek
Date of birth	(1988-02-19) February 19, 1988
Place of birth	Geneva, Illinois, United States
Height	5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Playing position	Midfielder, Wingback
Club information
Current team	Palloseura Kemi Kings
Number	6
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)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of October 6, 2012. † Appearances (Goals).

Kyle Knotek (born February 19, 1988 in Geneva, Illinois) is an American soccer player who last played for the Palloseura Kemi Kings 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 chose to attend Northern Illinois University. Although Knotek came into NIU as a outside midfielder, he spent the majority of his career playing outside back. 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 before eventually losing to eventual champions, Sporting Kansas City, in the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. 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 injuries. After recovering from last years injuries, Knotek then re-signed again in 2014 with Dutch Lions (whom were now affiliated with the MLS side the Columbus Crew.) Under the new head coach, for the first time in his career, Knotek did not see the field.

Palloseura Kemi Kings

Mid-way throughout the season, Knotek made the decision to ask for his release so he could pursue options abroad; he later signed for 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.