Program changing players are rare to find, but can influence a team for years to come. Union Omaha defender, Daltyn Knutson, is that gem.
The 23-year-old grew up in Spring, Texas, just north of Houston. He started kicking the ball around with his YMCA team at a very early age. But, soccer was not the only sport in his life.
“I got started at three years old, but I played all the sports growing up from basketball, baseball, football and gymnastics,” Knutson said.
This love for sports and competition started at very young age for Knutson. His younger brother, Bradyn, remembers their contests fondly.
“Growing up, everything was a competition. Like who could eat their food the fastest or arguing over which one of us Mom loved more,” Bradyn said.
Competitions never ended in the Knutson household and sometimes it led to brotherly fights.
“I remember a time where me and my brother both played football and we were in our backyard in full pads, hitting the snot out of one another until one of us gave up,” Bradyn said. “It took our Mom coming outside and threatening to take away our Xbox for us to stop.”
Knutson began his soccer career by playing for the Houston Texans SC academy team at the ripe age of 9 years old. He played for the Texans all the way through high school.
By the time Knutson was ready to chose a school to play his collegiate soccer, he had slim choices. He visited the University of Denver and Bucknell University, but was not sure they were the right fit. Knutson wanted to play first team soccer right at the start, but those programs were not offering this luxury.
“I was going to have to wait till sophomore or junior year to play,” Knutson said.
Knutson finalized his decision by going somewhere closer to home plus the ability to play right away. In 2015, the University of Central Arkansas was Knutson’s new team and joined the Bears.
“Central Arkansas was having a couple rough years. I thought it was my best opportunity to get onto the field,” Knutson said. “I was hoping going in that I could change the program.”
Prior to Knutson, the Bears were ranked 183 out of 206 teams in the 2014 final RPI rankings while finishing their campaign 3-13-1.
In 2015, not much changed for UCA except for the many different positions Knutson played. UCA won only 2 games while Knutson played defensive midfield, attacking midfield, forward and then back to center back. The Bears never found their flow even in Missouri Valley Conference play as they finished the season 2-15-1.
“We were the weak link in the conference,” Knutson said. “We were ranked 202 out of 206 teams.”
UCA started to turn things around during Knutson’s junior year. But, it was the same old Bears to start the season. Knutson and UCA began their year with zero wins and seven losses. It was hard for them to find their form early.
“It was frustrating, we didn’t know what was going on,” Knutson said.
The Bears bounced back when conference play turned up. Wins against Valparaiso, Drake and Loyola-Chicago helped them reach a Missouri Valley Conference record to 5-3 which was good enough for the second seed in the conference tournament only behind powerhouse Missouri State.
The Bears of UCA and Missouri State clawed their way to the MVC Championship game for the chance at glory with the winner headed to the NCAA Tournament.
Both teams were deadlocked at zero after full time. Only a goal was needed during the overtime period for a champion to be crowned. With 5 minutes left in OT, UCA’s Chris Holmes lifted a looping ball towards to the back post which found the foot of Niklas Brodacki who slotted it home for the win.
“I remember sprinting all the way across the field. Everyone was running everywhere,” Knutson said. “It was a surreal feeling to take our team to their first NCAA Tournament.”
Knutson was a stalwart at the back for the Bears in 2017. He helped UCA record four clean sheets including the game against Missouri State.
Knutson’s final season would end with family glory for himself while Bradyn found the losing side in 2018.
UCA made it to the Missouri Valley Championship game for the second year in a row. While Knutson’s brother, Bradyn, enrolled as a freshman at Loyola-Chicago where he begin his college soccer career. The two would meet in the MVC Championship game.
UCA jumped out to an early 1-0 lead before Bradyn’s least favorite moment in family history occurred. UCA played a beautiful set piece that flew to the back post which was headed towards the front of goal. Knutson was there to give the Bears a 2-0 lead.
“I remember his senior year well because he beat my team at the time in the Conference Championship where he was also named tournament MVP and was rewarded First Team All Conference,” Brayden said. “He also happened to score the game winning goal against my team which hurts to hear at family dinners.”
Knutson’s career at UCA came to an end by taking a team ranked 202 to winning back-to-back Missouri Valley Conference Championships.
Head Coach of UCA, Ross Duncan, believed Knutson could have transferred to a more competitive program, but he stuck it out with the Bears to create a winning culture .
“Daltyn had a massive impact on our program,” Duncan said. “He was a player we were able to build around with more and more quality and that really helped us wit the big improvements we made in 2016 and the championships we won in 2017 and 2018.”
Knutson graduated from Central Arkansas and was in the market for a professional club. He had two clubs looking for his services as a professional athlete.
“I was maybe about to get offered by Richmond [Kickers], but it was between me and this MLS guy that they are sending down on loan,” Knutson said.
But, USL League One side, South Georgia Tormenta FC was the only club to offer him his first ever professional contract which Knutson happily snatched it up.
Knutson’s skill set as a versatile defensive player and dedication to training is what makes him a valuable professional athlete.
“His growth is 100% down to his commitment to training,” Duncan said. “He was always doing individual sessions and he brought a great intensity to our team training environment every day.”
Knutson’s love for training was appreciated by his Tormenta teammates as well. Former Tormenta forward, Kaleb Jackson was Knutson’s roommate in Statesboro, Georgia. Jackson who now plays for Chattanooga FC was signed at the same time as Knutson.
“Daltyn impressed me quickly with his technical ability as a defender,” Jackson said. “When one of our defenders got hurt he stepped right into place and the team didn’t skip a beat.”
Knutson earned his first minutes as a professional for Tormenta when center back, Lars Enckenrode received a concussion. Knutson was granted his first minutes and never relinquished the starting position all season. Knutson helped Tormenta with seven clean sheets including a long unbeaten run.
“We didn’t get scored on for five games in a row,” Knutson said. “that was a cool experience.”
Knutson is a strong defender that has the ability to play center back and even saw time at Tormenta at the right-back position.
“His love for the game and the want to get better is what really makes him such a quality footballer,” Jackson said. “Being able to use both feet, and decision making are some things that helped further his career as a professional footballer.”
Tormenta finished 2019 with a record of 9-9-10. Knutson’s side barely failed to qualify for the USL League One Playoffs. Knutson was in search of a new club at the end of his contract.
Knutson came into touch with Union Omaha Head Coach, Jason Mims through Coach Duncan.
“My coach at UCA knew Mims and I got in contact with him,” Knutson said. “Mims was reaching out to see how I was doing and asking about my family.”
Knutson’s appreciation for a family atmosphere is what drew him to Union Omaha. The people behind the scenes for the Owls provided a warm atmosphere which he truly enjoys.
Knutson signed for Union Omaha on January 19 and instantly has had an appreciation for the fans which he looks forward to playing in front of in the coming months.
“I know Nebraska sports fans are crazy,” Knutson said. “They are diehards, I like that.”
Knutson and Union Omaha will be primed to return to action in late July when USL1 play returns.
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