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 defender, Brandon Fricke. Brandon, who spent the 2019 season with Lansing Ignite, has been a key piece in the Triumph’s league-leading defense, boasting nine clean sheets with just ten goals allowed. The Grimes, Iowa native spent his collegiate career at Butler University, making a total of 71 appearances before being drafted by the Colorado Rapids during the 2015 MLS SuperDraft.
1. If you had a podcast, what would it be about and why?
Hmmmmm…I like to think that I would do something centered around woodworking because I like to do projects and see how other people build things. I’m not so sure how that would work in podcast form though, so maybe I would go through a more visual media channel like YouTube. Another idea would be a podcast on Behavioral Economics. Ever since I was introduced to the broader topic a few years ago, I have been curious to learn more about the psychology behind every day decision making. The subconscious mind is a fascinating realm that we quite literally don’t pay much attention to in our every day lives.
This is by far the most interesting answer I’ve gotten to this question, so I need to know a little more. What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned about the topic?
Hindsight bias can make you think you knew something was going to happen before it did, and can therefore give you a false sense of confidence in your own decision making moving forward. This bias and many others, along with external factors, can push us to make certain decisions and being aware of them can provide more clarity in how and why we do what we do!
2. How do you decompress after a long week of work or training?
If I have the energy, and some good weather, I like to get out and play some golf with a few friends as long as I’m not playing too terribly. It’s a fun game and something that you can always improve on in different ways which I find enjoyable. Specific to my time in Greenville, the day after matches I usually grab a good local coffee to go and take a leisurely walk along the Swamp Rabbit Trail. It’s relaxing to get outside and get away from the game for a little bit to clear the mind.
What are a few of your go-to local coffee shops?
In terms of where I like to grab my coffee.. I’m biased towards Bridge City and their velvety Greenville Triumph blend, but I like to spread the love so I will pop in at Due South or one of the Methodical shops here and there.
3. What’s the most memorable meal you’ve ever had and why?
My girlfriend and I went to Paris last year after the season and the first night we popped into this quaint restaurant called Le Colimaçon. It felt very “Paris” to me, with only a few candlelit tables and a large wine rack behind the bar. We split a bottle of French red and ate delicious food, finishing with a scrumptious creme brulee. It played to the hopeless romantic in me while satisfying the foodie as well.
4. What was the most nervous you’ve ever been?
The summer before my senior year at Butler I was invited to train with Sporting KC for a week, and in a soccer environment, I would say that is the most nervous I have ever been since it was the first time I was playing with veteran pros at a high level. Honestly, I wasn’t too confident in my own abilities. Other than that, I don’t like heights. Even watching videos of people on high bridges or buildings will make my palms sweat. I was at a theme park once when my friends convinced me to ride this old rickety spinning swings ride. It went way higher than it looked from the ground, and while the views were great, I couldn’t wait to touch down again.
5. If you’re up at 2AM on a Saturday night, what are you eating?
Well since I’m from Iowa, I suppose I would have to say something to do with corn so I’ll go with popcorn. It’s quick, easy and can be made many different ways, so it’s one of my favorite late night snacks. That or a QDOBA breakfast burrito but those are hard to come by these days.
6. What’s something you learned recently that blew your mind?
I was listening to a podcast the other day that always does fun facts at the end, and they mentioned that after each player makes one move in chess there are 400 possible board setups. But after each player has made three moves there are 121 million possible board setups. I don’t play chess so I’m not sure I can fully appreciate this concept, but it seems pretty crazy to me!
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?
I think I might have to invite Cardi B. I think with her and her entourage in the crowd it would create a fun and raucous environment at Legacy and definitely make the game more exciting for everyone involved. Not to mention a Cardi B and DJ Sha collaboration would be ridiculously good.
8. What’s the most memorable sports moment you’ve had as a fan?
I have always been a big Manchester United fan so I’ve always wanted to see them play at Old Trafford. During my first year playing overseas, my brother was also studying abroad in Scotland. The schedule worked out to where we both had a free weekend and United was home versus Arsenal. Luckily, we were able to snag tickets for the match and made our way to Manchester. United won 3-2 and the atmosphere was electric, everything you could hope for as a United fan!
9. What sporting event have you always wanted to go to and why?
I think I have two for this one.. First I would say the World Cup because it is the biggest event in the sport of soccer with the most passionate atmosphere. With North America set to host in 2026, I’m hoping to get to a few matches. Second would be the Indy 500. Going to school in Indianapolis and having several friends describe the experience, I have to make it happen. Actually, this year we were originally scheduled to have Memorial weekend off, and I was planning to go. But with everything that has happened this year the 500 is still on my list.
10. If you’re part of a PK lineup, what number are you taking your penalty kick?
I don’t think I should be disclosing team strategy…. (three or four).
11. Last week I spoke with your teammate Lachlan McLean. He wanted me to ask you, “Do you guys have cake in Ohio? I really would love to know. Also, I heard you’re a big golfer. What’s your favorite golf club and why?”
Contrary to popular belief, we do have a wide array of very delicious cake options in Ohio (Iowa)! And it depends on what qualifies as a “big” golfer… Do I like to play? Yes. Am I very good? No. Moving on to the next question of my favorite club, I’d have to say whichever one I am hitting best on the day. The only one that never takes the cake is my 5 iron.
I’m chatting with another attacking teammate of yours next week, Jake Keegan. What would you like me to ask Jake?
A debate for the ages: Who is the greatest of all time, Lebron James or Michael Jordan?
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