Welcome back to 11 Questions presented by Piedmont Natural Gas — a weekly questionnaire series designed for you to get to know the people that make up Greenville Triumph Soccer Club. Each week, our own Marion Cole will ask someone from the organization the same ten questions, but the eleventh question will be from the previous interviewee. With players, coaches, and front office staff involved, we hope to bring you a fun look inside our club!
This week, I’m joined by Triumph goalkeeper, Dallas Jaye. A member of Guam’s Men’s National Team, Jaye earned honors throughout the club’s inaugural campaign including Golden Glove, League One Goalkeeper of the Year and All-League First Team honors.
1. If you had a podcast, what would it be about and why?
Starting off with a bang on that question. I enjoy listening to podcasts, but I can’t say I have ever thought about hosting one. If I were to make one, the focus would be travel, maybe the proper “do’s” and “do not’s” of traveling. Travel requires a certain decorum that the vast majority do not know, and nothing grinds my gears more than oblivious travelers. It boggles my mind when people seem surprised they need their ID’s out? Shoes off on planes? Sure. Socks off? Absolutely not. Sitting in the middle seat? Yes, you are absolutely entitled to both arm rests. The plane just taxied into the gate? YOU DO NOT NEED TO STAND UP INSTANTLY. You are row 34, sir. Please, sit down. Things like that, and travel hacks from my own experiences. Humor would be the forefront, the whole tone I’d want my guests to have. But yeah, I’ve never really given a podcast much thought.
2. How do you decompress after a long week of work or training?
After a long week of training, I can think of a few things that help me decompress. Generally, and hopefully very soon, a usual training week culminates with a match on Saturday. On Sunday’s, it really depends on the time of year. During the summer, I like to hit the pool or the beach when possible and listen to music. Just chill. When the weather cools down, I like to watch any weekend sports that may be going. Love a good NFL Sunday on Redzone. I will almost always cook a big brunch or go for brunch somewhere as well on the morning off. Breakfast is the best meal of the day, and no one can convince me otherwise.
3. What’s the most memorable meal you’ve ever had and why?
My head is spinning trying to land on a specific answer for this, so I’m going to give you two. My all-time favorite food is burritos. Specifically, a 2-in-2 Burrito from Lolita’s Mexican Food in San Diego. Piggy back that with an afternoon coffee from Better Buzz Coffee Shop, and you are having yourself a day.
Now, the most memorable meal I’ve ever had was back in 2018 when I was playing for Phoenix Rising FC. We had just made playoffs and went to watch our upcoming opponent play on TV at one of our teammate’s place, Didier Drogba. Everyone knows him for his legendary feats on the field, but many don’t know he is a heck of a chef. He cooked a huge dinner for the entire team while we all hung out and watched the game. Food was phenomenal, as was the company. And, yes, I know neither of these answers were breakfast.
4. What was the most nervous you’ve ever been?
The most nervous I have ever been was the few moments just before I made my professional debut. Nerves are natural in a moment like that, but they were heightened because that moment came very unexpectedly. It was in 2016 with FC Cincinnati. I was a rookie and the backup goalkeeper. We were playing against NY Red Bulls II in Red Bull Stadium, and my mom and cousin were at the game because it was a great excuse to go visit New York. The unique thing about this game was it was an early test of the VAR system in the US. So, I assumed my normal spot on the bench as the game began. Business as usual. About 10 minutes in the game, our starting GK attempted to save a breakaway and partially collided with a Red Bull player. The referee blew the whistle and decided to go to VAR, which none of us had ever experienced before, and ultimately gave our goalkeeper a red card. I realized I was going to be subbed on, so I had to quickly wrap on my shin guards which is a seemingly simple task but is very difficult when your hands are shaking. I stepped onto the field and my first professional moment was facing a penalty kick. No heroics here, he bagged it and they went on to win 2-0. I settled in and played pretty well, and my mom was there for it. so it’s a moment I can look back on and smile.
5. If you’re up at 2AM on a Saturday night, what are you eating?
I’m an early riser so I’m usually getting to sleep early. “If you hoot with the owls at night, you can’t soar with the eagles at dawn” are my words to live by. With all that said, if I am munchin’ a late night snack, it’s probably some sort of sweet. I have a pretty serious sweet tooth. Not so much candy, but anything that includes chocolate. It’s honestly a daily battle to curve it. Most days, I do not.
6. What’s something you learned recently that blew your mind?
Only until a few months ago, for whatever reason, I always thought you had to buy the entire gang of bananas at the grocery store. I never knew you could just pluck one or two off the set and head to the register. Game changer. They should really post more signs about that. I’m quite certain I’m not the only confused one.
7. Triumph SC announces they’re bringing a celebrity to the next match and wondering if you have enough time to say, “Hello.” Who’s the celebrity you’re most excited to have at a match?
The Triumph need to get the cast of Friends to Legacy for a game. That’s the dream. So not just one celebrity, but six. I could really see it: Ross going Red Ross and getting rowdy with the Riot. Joey and Chandler fighting over a field-level seat because one of them sat there last. Monica helping the staff clean and disinfect after the game. Phoebe waving one of those “Number One” foam phalanges around. And Rachel serving up a mean cup of Bridge City coffee to a fan who probably ordered a Riot Blonde Ale instead because she never gets the orders right. So, I would not say “Hi,” to them. I would simply ask them, “How you doin?”
8. What’s the most memorable sports moment you’ve had as a fan?
As a fan, I’ve been fortunate to have a few. I’m from the Bay Area so I grew up loving all the Oakland teams. 2002 was a wild year as a fan. I was actually in the crowd for the A’s 20th straight win to break the MLB win streak. I went to Game 3 of the World Series when the Giants played the Angels, and I watched my beloved Raiders live and in-person as they won the AFC Championship Game to punch a ticket to the Super Bowl. I still remember my dad telling me on the way out of the stadium that he was going to make sure we were there for that. And, sure enough, two weeks later, I got to see the Raiders get their doors absolutely blown in by the Bucs led by hero turned villain, now here again, Jon Gruden. Yeah, I’m officially a fan of a Las Vegas sports team now. Nope, don’t love it. But when you bleed silver and black, there is nothing you can do about it. Viva Las Raiders!
9. What sporting event have you always wanted to go to and why?
As I mentioned in the last answer, I’ve gotten to go to a few awesome one. Tack on the Home Run Derby, the Warriors Championship Parade, Barcelona at Camp Nou, I’ve been very fortunate to have had some incredible sport experiences. An absolute must in my lifetime, though, has to be a Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park. I’ve always wanted to watch Tim Howard play, and during his nearly ten years with Everton, I found myself watching them as much as possible. They really became my team. So getting to see them in person, against that other team in town who wears red, would be incredible. Up the Toffees!
10. If you’re part of a PK lineup, what number are you taking your penalty kick?
I love shootouts. Always a fun time to be a goalkeeper. You get the chance to be the hero. That being said, I would grab the opportunity to shoot. It’s never happened, but who knows, maybe one day. Let me take the third, though. I’ll save their first three. We’ll make our first two, and then I can step up third and smack one top bins to win. Shirt off, knee slide, the whole sha-bang. Wouldn’t that be something?
11. Triumph’s Director of Ticketing, Stacey Wise, wanted me to ask you, “What kind of music do you listen to before a match?”
This past year, I got stuck with locker room DJ duties before games. I say “stuck with” because it’s a pretty high pressure situation. So many different music tastes in our locker room too, so pleasing everyone can be tough. My personal preference before a match is sort of techno, club mix type music. On SoundCloud, they have these hour-long mixes that mash up popular songs to cool beats. You don’t have to fuss with switching from song to song which is nice.
Next week, I’m speaking with the club’s newest equipment manager, Josh Shaw. What would you like me to ask him?
Rumor has it you are quite the golf aficionado. We have a few players on the team who can hack it around. My question is, “How would you rank the Triumph staff as golfers? Yourself included.” So basically, I want him to put himself, John Harkes, Alex Blackburn, Rick Wright, Ryan McKie and Marcus Siler in order from best to worst.
I would also like to publicly state here, in front of all the fans in our incredible Triumph fan base, that the players formally extend a challenge to the staff. One round of golf. Winner takes all. Any time, any course. Tell them we look forward to their timely response.
Smell natural gas? Get out fast! If you suspect a natural gas leak, leave the area immediately and call 911. Learn more at piedmontng.com.
