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Greenville, SC – The Greenville Triumph SC has signed former South Georgia Tormenta 2 forward JJ Donnelly to add an offensive push for the remainder of their inaugural season, pending league and federation approval.

Hailing from London, England, Donnelly played for Brentford FC Academy before leaving to play at Eastern Florida State College in 2015. During his time with the Titans, he tallied 15 career goals and assists, as well as 45 points in two seasons, earning him a spot on the All-Conference Region 8 first-team. 

Donnelly continued his collegiate career at Campbell University, earning back to back All-Big South regional honors in 2017-18, finishing his senior season with 18 points on 6 goals and 6 assists. Donnelly started all 40 games in his two seasons at CU. 

“JJ is a player we’ve followed being in the Tormenta 2 system. He’s a striker that’s got the technical ability, but there’s something about his personality and the way he expresses himself on the field. He’s that positive striker that you need. He’s got great mobility and great advantage in the air,” said Coach John Harkes when asked what special qualities Donnelly will bring to the squad. 

Harkes also added that with a competitive league, injuries are inevitable, especially in the later half of the season. “It’s important, with such a small roster, that when injuries come we have players with the ability to step in.”

In April of this year, the 22-year-old forward signed with USL League Two’s division-winning South Georgia Tormenta FC 2. Donnelly comes to the Triumph with 7 goals and 3 assists in 15 games played with Tormenta 2.

When school lets out for the summer, some kids think about going to summer camp, playing endless video games and eating ice cream at the pool. But for many children in the Greenville community, being on summer break means fighting a battle with hunger. Childhood hunger affects 1 in every 6 children in America, with summer meal initiatives only reaching 15% of those children affected. 

During the school year, 22 million children rely on school breakfasts and 11.2 million children rely on after-school meal programs. In the summer, school cafeterias shut down and children lose access to their daily source of nutrition.

In hopes of impacting the children suffering in our own backyard, Greenville Triumph SC partnered with Greenville County Schools Food and Nutrition Services (FANS). The summer nutrition initiative provided free meals and snacks to many children who might have otherwise gone hungry.

What did the Triumph Over Hunger program look like in action?

The Triumph staff and players visited different under-served areas throughout the community. FANS food trucks supplied meals and snacks to the neighborhood and kids received Triumph water bottles and sack-lunches. Afterwards, kids took to the field for small-sided soccer against the pros.

Megan Schwarze, a familiar face for many children fighting against hunger, said the program was very special to her. “We just love these kids so much. So we wanted to make sure they had lunch every day and fun activities during the summer. They were always so thankful and happy to see us.” Schwarze is a Greenville County School psychologist and organizer of the summer program “Meet Me at the Playground”, which provides playground activities for children during the summer months. 

Triumph Over Hunger acts as a dual-initiative program to fight against childhood hunger and promote an active lifestyle within the community. At the core of Greenville Triumph SC is a mission to serve and unite the local community through the beautiful game of soccer. Together, we can!

Greenville, SC – After edging out Tormenta FC 1-0 with a disciplined team performance, two Triumph players have been named to USL League One’s Team of the Week for Week 19.

Jake Keegan (F) – Keegan scored the only goal in the Triumph’s 1-0 defeat vs. South Georgia Tormenta FC. Keegan completed 15 of 17 passes and has moved into 2nd place for the 2019 Golden Boot race. 

Aaron Walker (M) – A dominant presence in the midfield vs Tormenta FC, Walker completed 30 of 38 passes, won 7 of 11 duels and made six recoveries during the Triumph’s big home win. 

This is the second week in a row Keegan and Walker have been selected to the USL League One Team of the Week.

Greenville Triumph SC was ranked 2nd in the USL League One Power Rankings after winning three of their last four matches. The team currently ranks 6th in the league with 26 points – two points behind both the Chattanooga Red Wolves (5th) and Forward Madison (4th). 

Greenville, SC – The Greenville Triumph made a big playoff push at home with a lone goal by Golden Boot nominee, Jake Keegan, to defeat South Georgia Tormenta FC for the first time in league play. 

An early Triumph attack broke through in the 29th minute of action, when midfielder Paul Clowes won the ball in the midfield and played it into a checking Aaron Walker. Walker switched the point of attack to the left flank where Tyler Polak connected with Omar Mohammed. Mohammed dribbled to the end-line and played a dangerous ball back across the face of goal to an open Jake Keegan who allowed the ball to come across his body for a clinical right-footed finish for his 8th goal of the season. 

The Triumph back line held strong during a rainy second half and weathered lengthy added time to take down the number two team in USL League One. 

When asked what the difference has been for his club the last two weeks, Triumph head coach John Harkes said, “What we’re seeing now is self-belief. When you’re starting a first year club from the ground up, it’s going to take time. It’s a process. Guys are trusting each other out on the field. As a staff, we’re trying to push these guys but we also know that we have players who can step in, and that’s what we love to see. Guys who can come in off the bench, step up and do a job. Everybody has value.”

The Triumph head to Canada to face Toronto FC II on Friday August 9th at 4PM ET. They team returns to Legacy Early College Field on Saturday, August 17th for Back To School Night. The pre-game Fan Fest begins at 5:00 pm, gates open at 6:00 pm and kickoff is at 7:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here. Although the Clean Sheet Program is not active this week due to FINS Car Wash “Washes for Wishes” Program, all Top Washes are FREE tomorrow and will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

STATS

Shots (on goal):

Greenville – 8 (2)

Tormenta – 2

Possession:

Greenville: 41.3%

Tormenta: 58.7%

Corners: 

Greenville – 3

Tormenta – 2

Scoring Summary: 

Greenville: Keegan – 29′

Tormenta: n/a

Misconduct Summary:

Greenville: Walker (caution) – 78′, Hemmings (caution) – 81′, Guediri (caution) – 84′ 

Tormenta: Dennis (caution) – 58’, Arslan (caution) – 87′

Ejection Summary: 

N/A

Greenville, SC –  After a decisive 4-0 victory over North Texas SC last Friday, three Greenville Triumph players have been named to the USL League One Team of the Week.

Tyler Polak (D) tops the Week 18 team as the USL League One Player of the Week. Polak notched a pair of assists and had four key passes overall as the Triumph became the first side to defeat League One leader North Texas SC in Toyota Stadium this season.

Aaron Walker (M) had one goal and took five shots overall while completing 53 of 61 passes and recording six recoveries in the 4-0 win against North Texas.

Jake Keegan (F) scored two goals on three shots, made three recoveries and completed 8 of 13 passes to help lead Greenville to victory. His performance against North Texas put him back in the Golden Boot race.

Frisco, TX- A game of cards, a game of goals! The Greenville Triumph coming out on the right side as they serve North Texas SC their first loss at home 4-0. 

The match started slowly as the Triumph defense sat in on the league-leading North Texas offense. Action quickly picked up as North Texas midfielder, Edwin Cerrillo, was automatically ejected by a red card after a high-kick challenge against Triumph midfielder, Max Hemmings. 

Using the momentum of a sound first half and playing up a man on North Texas, the Triumph struck in the 62′ minute with a goal from Aaron Walker. Tyler Polak set up the goal, drawing two defenders before dishing it to a wide open Walker who laced a low-driven a low driven ball swiftly passed the North Texas goalie, Avilez Mojica.

Two minutes later (64′), the Triumph co-captain,Tyler Polak, played a beautifully threaded ball into the run of forward, Jake Keegan. Keegan finishing in class –  between the goaltender’s legs – for his 6th goal of the season to put the Triumph up 2-0. 

Keegan continued his 2019 tallies in the 70′ minute finishing a deflected service into the near post. Dominic Boland sent in the inital ball to the backside runner, Edmundo Robinson. Robinson, not having much of a look on goal, headed the cross back into the box to Carlos Gomez who forced a poor clearance to a lurking Keegan who slotted in his 7th goal of the season.

Edmundo Robinson, a key player off the bench for the Triumph tonight, drew a late foul in the box on a blistering attack down the left flank. Robinson netted the PK in the 88′ minute of action to put the Triumph at a 4-0 differential versus league-leading North Texas. 

“The difference in this week’s advantage (being a man up) and last week’s advantage (scoring first) was the fact that the boys recognized what the game was telling them,” said Coach John Harkes. “There are times when you simply have to be patient. We recognized the tempo, and we knew we needed to stretch things. But we were patient. Sometimes you just have to let the game open.”

While Harkes and the squad are excited and proud of the performance, they understand that there is much more at stake than simply winning. Harkes says, “This is still a learning moment for the guys. Last week was a learning moment. This week is a learning moment. When you keep positive work ethic and positive energy, you grow. Now, it’s about being proactive. Now it’s about taking the advantage and doing something with it – keeping clean sheets, making adjustments, moving forward. We are happy, but we are only as good as our next game.”

The Triumph (6-5-6) return home to Legacy Early College Field on Saturday, August 3rd to face South Georgia Tormenta FC for International Night presented by Fins Car Wash. The pre-game Fan Fest begins at 5:00 pm, gates open at 6:00 pm and kickoff is at 7:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here. Fans can also head to FINS Car Wash tomorrow and get $3 off a Top Wash thanks to tonight’s clean sheet by Dallas Jaye.

Shots (on goal): 

Greenville  – 11 (6), North Texas – 6 (2)

Possession:

GVL: 47%

NTX: 53%

Corners:

GVL – 2, NTX – 2

Scoring Summary:

GVL: Walker (62′), Keegan (64′, 70′), Robinson (88′)

Misconduct Summary:

GVL: Politz (caution) – 35′, Gomez (caution) – 48′, Robinson (caution) – 67′

NTX: Roberts (caution) – 82′, Rodriquez (caution) – 94′

Ejections:

NTX: Cerrillo (straight red) – 20′

Last Saturday, July 20th, fans at Legacy Early College were treated to a special version of the National Anthem by local artist Joe Everson.

Not only was the stadium captivated by Everson’s live-action painting, but over $1,000 was raised towards Triumph Over Cancer Night presented by Bon Secours.

Everson is known for his live-action performances where he paints  while singing the National Anthem, flipping the canvas at the end to reveal patriotic scenes. Everson’s American-themed artwork was auctioned at halftime for $1,400. You can watch Joe’s performance here. 

Proceeds from Everson’s painting will be used to purchase tickets for cancer patients and cancer survivors to attend Triumph Over Cancer Night presented by Bon Secours on September 13 vs FC Tucson.

Everson’s studio is located in Taylors, SC. He has been featured on the likes of Fox News, USA Today, ESPN and SportsCenter. He has performed for numerous organizations and teams such as the JJ Watt Foundation, Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Golden State Warriors, and the Florida Panthers.