FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Brad Knighton thrives on competition.
The 31-year-old veteran is the elder statesman of the New England Revolution’s four-man goalkeeping corps, which also features Bobby Shuttleworth, Cody Cropper and Matt Turner. But Knighton has grabbed hold of the starting job in recent months and hasn’t shown any signs of letting go.
Knighton hasn’t just been steady, he’s often been spectacular. He nabbed Santander Man of the Month honors in June, August and September, and he’s twice won MLS Save of the Week.
And according to Knighton, that success has been made possible, at least in part, by the other three goalkeepers challenging him to be at his best on a daily basis.
“It’s a competitive environment,” Knighton said. “It’s pushing every single player, every single day, to get better. That’s helped us as a goalkeeper union over these last eight to 12 weeks. We’ve been pushing each other day in, day out in training and demanding the best out of each other, and ultimately we’ve done a lot better defensively as a group.”
New England’s defense has tightened the screws since late August, conceding just six goals in their last seven games while going 4-2-1 in the process. That followed up a stretch in which the Revs allowed 13 goals during a four-game losing streak.
At times the improvement has been down to Knighton’s shot-stopping – he made seven saves in a stellar performance against Columbus Crew SC two weeks ago – but more frequently it’s been a result of the Revolution limiting the amount of shots that ever find the target.
In fact, Knighton has made a total of just three saves in the Revolution’s last four wins as the Revs have consistently clamped down on their opponents. And while Knighton hasn’t needed to make many saves, he’s due plenty of credit for the way the backline has been organized in front of him.
“Communication’s key; having guys in the right spots and everyone knowing their roles,” Knighton said. “It’s just doing the little things well in training and we’ve been so precise the last four or five weeks in training, and it’s been reflected in the games and we’ve gotten the results to show it.”
Head coach Jay Heaps praised Knighton’s organizational skills, but also noted that the saves Knighton has been forced to make have been key stops at key moments.
“At home in particular, we’re limiting opportunities on goal, but we need the timely save,” Heaps said. “Defense starts from the center forward all the way to the keeper. Organization is vital in that, coming from Brad, coming from the center backs, the defensive midfielders – all critical to our shape.
“But then it’s the timely save. It’s making the save when the game’s on the line. You’re not up 3-0 and he makes a save, or you’re down 3-0 and he makes a save – it’s when it’s 0-0 or 1-0 and you’re really in the game, and that save keeps you in the match, and also propels you in that match.”
