Wes Knight

PROFILE
A right fullback that flourished during his five years at College of Charleston, Wes Knight joined Whitecaps FC's inaugural Major League Soccer roster on Nov. 26, 2010, after two highly successful seasons at the North American second division level with the club. The native of Easley, South Carolina, was first spotted by Vancouver at both the United Soccer Leagues Men’s Player Showcase in Dec. 2008 and the MLS Player Combine in Jan. 2009 and first signed with the club on Feb. 11, 2009.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
2011: Knight's MLS debut may have come as a second-half substitute, but his impact in Vancouver's inaugural MLS match on Mar. 19 was immediate. The defender/midfielder set up Eric Hassli's second goal in a 4-2 home win over Canadian rivals Toronto FC at Empire Field. His first MLS start came in Whitecaps FC's dramatic 3-3 home draw with Sporting Kansas City on Apr. 2.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER RESERVE LEAGUE
2011: The defender/midfielder started Vancouver's debut match in the MLS Reserve League, as Whitecaps FC reserves fell 2-1 at San Jose Earthquakes reserves on Mar. 22.

UNITED STATES SOCCER FEDERATION DIVISION-2 PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE
2010: Knight was awarded the Whitecaps FC 'Fan Favourite' award following a productive second season with the club, where he started in all but five of the club's matches that season. The defender assisted on Greg Janicki's late winning goal during a 1-0 victory at Canadian arch-rivals Montreal Impact on July 28.

UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES FIRST DIVISION
2009: Knight was a finalist for the USL-1 Rookie of the Year award after a highly successful first season with the Whitecaps. He finished the regular season as the USL-1's joint-assist leader alongside Minnesota Thunder midfielder Ricardo Sanchez, having tallied eight assists during his rookie campaign. The defender/midfielder made his USL-1 debut during the 2-1 away defeat to Puerto Rico Islanders on Apr. 18, with the defender replacing Vicente Arze in the second half of the match in the Caribbean. Three days later, Knight made his first league start and earned his first USL-1 point when he assisted on Marco Reda's goal during Vancouver's 1-1 draw at Austin Aztex. On May 10, Knight earned a spot in the USL-1 Team of the Week for Week Five after assisting on Charles Gbeke's winning goal, as the Whitecaps claimed a 1-0 victory at home to Puerto Rico Islanders. He then made the USL-1 Team of the Week for Week 10 after assisting on both of Gbeke's goals during a 3-2 home win over Miami FC Blues on June 12. Knight earned a spot in the USL-1 Team of the Week for Week 22 after setting up Marcus Haber's goal during the 1-1 draw at Minnesota Thunder on Sept. 4. In the first leg of the USL-1 Championship Series, Knight set up Marlon James' headed goal during the 3-2 home defeat to Canadian rivals Montreal Impact on Oct. 10.

UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES PREMIER DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
2011: Knight made the PDL Team of the Week for Week Seven after assisting on Long Tan's goal during Whitecaps FC Residency's 2-1 home win over defending league champions Portland Timbers U-23's on June 12. 2008: In his second season with Bradenton, the defender scored the final goal in a 5-2 victory at Atlanta Silverbacks U-23's on June 27. The Academics finished second in the Southeast Division and reached the PDL playoffs before they were knocked out in the Southern Conference semifinals, as Bradenton fell 2-1 to Austin Aztex on July 25. Knight also faced USL-1 opposition in the first round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. After qualifying from their PDL division, Knight started in the club's 4-2 away defeat to Miami FC Blues on June 10. 2007: Prior to his senior year with College of Charleston, Knight made several appearances with the Florida-based Bradenton Academics. He made his PDL debut in a 1-0 victory at Nashville Metros on June 12 before scoring his first-ever league goal on July 6 when he struck the equalizer in a 1-1 draw at Central Florida Kraze. Bradenton finished fourth in the Southeast Division of the PDL's Southern Conference that season. The defender also took part in qualifying for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with the Academics.

COLLEGE
Knight enjoyed a successful NCAA Division I career with College of Charleston, in South Carolina. 2008: The defender made the All-Southern Conference First Team and a second straight appearance on the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-South Region Second Team after leading the Cougars to The Southern Conference championship match in his senior year. Unfortunately for Knight and College of Charleston, the Cougars lost 2-1 in the final to University of North Carolina-Greensboro on Nov. 16. 2007: Knight was named to the All-Southern Conference Second Team and to the NSCAA All-South Region Second Team after finishing tied for fourth in assists in The Southern Conference. His only goal that season came in a 2-0 win over Liberty University on Sept. 14. 2006: Knight started every match for the Cougars during his sophomore year, scoring his first-ever NCAA goal when he struck a first-half equalizer during a 1-1 draw at University of North Carolina-Charlotte on Aug. 28. 2005: After red-shirting his freshman year with College of Charleston in 2004, Knight began his NCAA Division I career by starting every match for the Cougars the following season. He recorded an assist on Matt Morris' second goal in a 3-1 victory over University of Pennsylvania on Sept. 18.

HIGH SCHOOL/AMATEUR
A student at Wren High School in nearby Piedmont, South Carolina, the defender was a three-time All-Region selection, as well as a two-time All-State and All-Area selection as a member of the Hurricanes. In his senior year, Knight was named Conference and All-Area Most Valuable Player at Wren High and was selected to play in the North/South game. He also claimed the Anderson Independent Mail Soccer Player of the Year award as a member of the Hurricanes. At the youth level, Knight was a member of Greenville Futbol Club (now Carolina Elite Soccer Academy) from the U-12 to the U-19 levels. With Greenville FC, the defender claimed seven South Carolina state championship titles with the club's '85 Black side. He also played in the USL Super Y-League for Greenville Lions in 2000 and 2001. Before attending Wren High, Knight was a student at Wren Elementary School in Piedmont, South Carolina.

PERSONAL
Knight is nearing a degree in Physical Education from College of Charleston. His parents are Anne and Barry Knight, and he has a younger brother named Graham.

INTERESTING FACTS
The defender is a fan of English Premier League clubs Fulham and Manchester United. His favourite soccer players are Real Madrid and Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo, Fulham and USA midfielder Clint Dempsey, and Real Madrid and Spain defender Sergio Ramos. He also supports baseball's Atlanta Braves, NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers, NFL's Dallas Cowboys, and NHL's Vancouver Canucks. Knight was a former 200 and 400-meter sprinter in track and field. The right fullback has a pre-match ritual of placing his shinguards on the correct legs and taping his wrists. His favourite foods are pasta and Caesar salad, while he also enjoys listening to country, hip hop, and rhythm & blues music. When not concentrating on his soccer career, Knight enjoys cycling, hiking, and wakeboarding. His most desired holiday destination is Colorado Springs, Colorado, during the Holiday season.