Then came the trip to the States to visit his brother, Tony, in Guilford, Conn. The trip was the starting point of the rest of his life--literally. After spending the summer painting houses ("As all high school students do," Knight says), Knight's uncle--his mother's brother--and his aunt invited him to stay with their family in Connecticut.

The way knight tells the story, it sounds as if he did not hesitate in accepting their offer ("Sure!" he says, beaming, as if it was an obvious answer). His brother had made the same decision earlier, and besides, Connecticut wasn't really a bad breeding ground for soccer players.

There were problems, of course. The usual American confusion with English customs, and vice-versa, played a role. Knight was once again adjusting.

"I could sort of figure out what people were saying," says Knight, who still retains his British accent. "I would say one thing and people wouldn't know what I was saying."

Enter soccer, and the transitions into a new environment seemed a little easier. before attending Guilford High School, Knight tried out for the school's soccer team and played in a few scrimmages. Unlike in England, Knight didn't have to worry about, professional clubs knocking on his door, drawing his attention away from school. And Guilford had something his English school had lacked--sprit.

"Sports are an excellent way to develop friendships and meet new people," Knight says. "In England, however, sports are not just associated with the schools. Professional teams take away from the spirit. Here, everything is sort of built through the school."

Knight says he has no regrets over his decision to stay in the States. He knows that he never would have had the opportunity to attend Harvard without staying in America or without the help of his aunt and uncle, who have supported him since he left England.

"They're just incredible people," says Knight. "They didn't even play for this. They didn't even think twice about my going to college."

Perhaps that is why Knight intends to stay in the States for now. The atmosphere is different Much different.

"Americans are a lot more outgoing and friendly," Knight says. "In England, it seems a lot more close."

It is this type of open setting that makes Knight feel comfortable. And he feels he has discovered this open setting that makes Knight feel comfortable. And he feels he has discovered this openness at Harvard.

"He likes it here much better," Selassie says, "because it's a much more expressive society."

Knight strongly believes that his experiences at Harvard, and in the States, have presented him with opportunities he never would have encountered if he had remained in England.

In the summer after his sophomore year, for example, Knight worked at computer firm with his brother. He liked it so much that when soccer pre-season was nearing, and he still had several projects that required his presence, he decided that soccer would just have to wait.

In his junior year, Knight stayed away from the soccer team, even though the Crimson still wanted him to be part of the squad and maybe even attend some practices. But, as Knight himself says, he did not want to give soccer just "a half-commitment."