Michael Knapp

Michael Knapp (born January 30, 2000) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for USL Championship club Rio Grande Valley FC.

Michael Knapp
Personal information
Full name Michael Knapp
Date of birth (2000-01-30) January 30, 2000
Place of birth Bloomfield, New Jersey, United States
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Rio Grande Valley FC
Number 14
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)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:36, October 16, 2023 (UTC)

Club career

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

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

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

Rio Grande Valley FC Toros

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

Career statistics
As of match played October 14, 2023[12][13]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Playoffs Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
New York Red Bulls U-23 2018 Premier Development League10000010
FC Motown 2019 National Premier Soccer League50003181
New York Red Bulls II 2021 USL Championship| 220——220
2022 210——210
Rio Grande Valley FC 2023 71——71
Career total 5610031592

Honours

Individual

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

References
  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. "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. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  12. Michael Knapp at Soccerway
  13. "2019 FC Motown Match Reports". npsl.bonzidev.com. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
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