Cameron Knowles

College and amateur

Knowles played college soccer for the University of Akron, captaining the team his senior year. Knowles anchored an Akron defence that allowed only three goals in league play and recorded 13 shutouts in 2004. Knowles, a two-time All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) first-team selection led Akron to two MAC titles in 2002 and 2004 and helped Akron make four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. He was selected to the All-MAC second team his freshman and sophomore seasons and voted Akron's Newcomer of the Year in 2001. In addition, Knowles was a College Soccer News All-Freshman Team honourable mention. A testament to his durability, Knowles played in 49 straight games during his career at Akron. Knowles also played in the USL Premier Development League for Chicago Fire Premier making 14 appearances and scoring two goals in league play. In addition, Knowles scored 3 goals during the Fire's 2004 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup campaign.

Professional

Knowles was drafted by Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer in the fourth round of the 2005 MLS Supplemental Draft, becoming the first Akron Zip to be drafted by a Major League Soccer team. He made his professional debut on 22 June 2005 against the Los Angeles Galaxy and totalled 346 minutes in four matches his rookie season in MLS, but did not make an appearance at all in 2006 and was released at the end of the year. Knowles signed with the Portland Timbers of the USL First Division in 2007, and…

On 26 January 2012, the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer announced the addition of Knowles to the coaching staff as an assistant under Head Coach John Spencer. On 5 January 2024, Knowles was announced as the interim head coach for Minnesota United following the departure of Sean McAuley. After Eric Ramsay was named head coach, Knowles remained an assistant on Ramsay's staff through the 2024 and 2025 MLS seasons. On 12 January 2026, Knowles was named head coach for the Loons' 2026 season.

Portland Timbers

USL First Division Commissioner's Cup: 2009