News Collection

Greenville, SC – After a strong two-way performance from Greenville last weekend, two Triumph players have been named to League One’s Team of the Week. Jake Keegan continues to lead the team in goals (5) while Evan Lee continues to be a steady anchor for the league-best defense.

Evan Lee (D) won 6 of 8 duels, made two interceptions and completed 26 of 35 passes in a strong defensive performance in the side’s 1-0 win against North Texas SC on Friday night.

Jake Keegan (F) scored the decisive goal against North Texas SC and won 9 of 11 duels and 4 of 6 tackles to help lead Triumph SC to victory.

The team returns to Legacy Early College this Friday, October 2nd, to face Orlando City B. Greenville is undefeated at home by an impressive 6-0 record and sits at the top of the table for USL League One. Get your tickets here!

Greenville, SC – Tonight marked the first time North Texas and Greenville Triumph have shared a pitch since the 2019 USL League One Final, and the league-leading Triumph came out on top 1-0 after a late goal from Jake Keegan. Keegan now has a team-leading five goals on the season while Alex Morrell claimed his spot as the league’s assist leader.

The quick-paced tempo was heavily established by Greenville’s high pressure defending. The Triumph came out in a 4-4-1-1 that saw forward Jake Keegan take on a deeper role underneath the more traditional number nine, Lachlan McLean. Not only did the new formation allow room for all of Greenville’s most dangerous attackers to be on the field at the same time, but it also enhanced the Triumph’s ability to contain North Texas to one side and win the ball at higher parts of the pitch.

Fresh legs in the first half led to a transitional game full of tremendous recovery efforts by the league-leading defense. In fact, several of those transitional efforts ended up creating dangerous attacking opportunities for Greenville, including a near foul-in-the-box earned by McLean early in the match.

A delayed injury stoppage led to six added minutes in the first half, where Greenville saw the most chances of the entire match, highlighted by a perfectly chipped ball into the box by midfielder Aaron Walker. Walker’s pass found the head of leading goal scorer, Jake Keegan, whose header deflected off the crossbar into Lachlan McLean. Unfortunately for Greenville, McLean’s second attempt was saved by the NTSC goalkeeper to keep the match in a scoreless tie at the break.

The successful amounts of pressure and winning the ball at key areas did not amount to much for the Triumph, who struggled to put the final attacking moment together. Defensively, Greenville was able to keep the extremely fast and creative North Texas attack, led by Arturo Rodriguez and Ricardo Pepi, out of the score column. Rodriguez had previously been on loan with USL Championship side Real Monarchs while Pepi played with the MLS side on Wednesday night.

The game slowed to Greenville’s control through the second 45, as the maturity of the veteran side took command. It wasn’t until the 86th minute that Greenville finally broke through, when the league’s leading assist leader, Alex Morrell, connected with Greenville’s leading goal-scorer, Jake Keegan, at the top of the penalty spot. Keegan’s well-struck finish put the Triumph up 1-0 to earn the Upstate club another three points and a week-long extension at the top of the table.

Greenville returns home to Legacy Early College next Friday night, October 2, against Orlando City B at 7:00 PM. Get your tickets here!

Greenville, SC – Two Triumph players, Noah Pilato and Brandon Fricke, have been named to USL League One’s Team of the Week (10) after winning a top-two battle against Chattanooga on Saturday. 

Brandon Fricke (D) won 4 of 4 duels and 2 of 2 aerial duels, recorded four clearances and one interception while completing 38 of 43 passes as Greenville earned a 1-0 victory against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC.

Noah Pilato (M) scored the late game-winning goal to cap a performance that saw him complete 26 of 31 passes and win 6 of 9 duels in Triumph SC’s Saturday afternoon road victory.

The league-leading Triumph return home this Friday, September 25th, for a 2019 USL League One Final rematch against North Texas SC. Tickets are available here!

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 goalkeeper Paul Christensen. Paul is a Woodinville, Washington native and University of Portland alumni, where he was awarded the WCC Goalkeeper of the Year in 2016 and 2017. He joined the Triumph this February after spending his 2018 and 2019 seasons with Atlanta United 2. On May 9th, 2018, Paul made his MLS debut against Sporting Kansas City.

1. If you had a podcast, what would it be about and why?

If I did a podcast, it would be one featuring athletes from all different sports. I think talking to them and hearing about their different experiences would be really cool. I also think hearing about their daily routines and the way they approach their sport from the mental side would be really interesting. Faith is also a really big part of my life so talking to other athletes about that would be a lot of fun. I think the “behind the scenes” shows and podcasts are great. There’s always so much more for athletes than simply prepping for game day. What people see is often just a small percentage of the work and time that goes into each sport. So I think talking to different athletes, especially ones I’ve looked up to, and adding another perspective for people would be awesome.

2. How do you decompress after a long week of work or training?

I think it really depends on the week, but I really enjoy the outdoors. Going hiking, fishing, paddle boarding. I normally go with my girlfriend, Alex, and her Sheepadoodle dog, Kenan, so it’s always fun getting outside and exploring with them. I also like to read a lot. When we go on road trips I try to finish at least one book on the trip, and being on the bus or plane for a while is a great chance to do that. 

You had a three-week road span recently, what was the last book you finished? 

I finished three books on those trips. The first was Gospel by JD Greear. Then it was Moneyball by Michael Lewis, and the last one was Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates by Brian Kilmeade.

3. What’s the most memorable meal you’ve ever had and why?

I probably have two and for different reasons. The first was last year. I really enjoying BBQ’ing, and I made ribs for my roommates and me for the first time — it took like six hours. After bringing them inside, we were so hungry from waiting that we didn’t even leave the kitchen. They were amazing.

Was that because they tasted so good or because you were proud of yourself for making ribs for the first time?

I think it was both. I was pretty excited that I was able to make them. But they tasted really good.

And what was the second meal?

The second was in high school. After church, my family went to Denny’s, and they had their “All you can eat” pancakes. Being competitive, my twin brother and I tried to eat more than the other. We made it to 13 a piece and agreed to a tie because we both felt terrible. I’ve actually never felt worse in my life after a meal, but I’ll never forget that. Worth it.

4. What was the most nervous you’ve ever been?

That’s a tough one. I think the most nervous I’ve been for a game was my first international game with the U17 National team. But in life, it was probably when I backed my dad’s truck up into a tree trying to get out of our driveway. But to explain: I had just gotten my license and it was dark. We also live down a gravel driveway that isn’t straight. When it happened, I thought I had destroyed the truck. Luckily it wasn’t too bad.

5. If you’re up at 2AM on a Saturday night, what are you eating?

Easy answer, a Cookout milkshake. And it’s always a mix of Chocolate Chip Mint and M&M.

6. What’s something you learned recently that blew your mind?

I learned from Lachlan that in Australian Football if a player is injured, they don’t stop the game. The trainer just runs on the field while the game is still going. I think that’s awesome. We should try it in our games. It would solve a lot of time wasting issues in games.

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 really like NASCAR, and my favorite driver is Ricky Stenhouse Jr., so I would probably have to say him. Not only does he have a cool job but he also seems like a fun guy to hangout with. Maybe even talk him into letting me drive his race car. I might tag him in this and try to get him to show up to a game now.

I always love hearing how people become NASCAR fans because it seems that you either love it or hate it. Do you have a specific moment that started your fandom?

It started as a little kid. My brothers and I had a bunch of the little race cars and would watch the races. I wasn’t that into it after that for a while. Bu then I went to my first race with my dad and twin brother for our birthday a few years ago. And then getting drafted to Atlanta, there was a race there that I went to and was hooked. I think the more you know about it, the more interesting it is. But with that said, it’s definitely not for everyone. 

8. What’s the most memorable sports moment you’ve had as a fan?

It was probably when I was able to watch my brother, who wrestled for Wisconsin, qualify for the NCAA Championships at the Big Ten tournament. I was able to surprise him there, and it was really cool to see him do well. 

9. What sporting event have you always wanted to go to and why?

I think going to a Stanley Cup Final Game 7 would be awesome. The intensity in those games are incredible. Or I think going to the Daytona 500 or Indy 500 would be really cool. Those are bucket list type of events for me.

You seem to have an interest or a tie to every sport. Other than soccer, can you even pick a favorite to watch?

Yeah, it can be hard to decide, but luckily everything is on at different times. So a lot of the times, it’s whatever is on that I’ll watch and get into.

10. If you’re part of a PK lineup, what number are you taking your penalty kick?

First, because after I scored, I could just worry about saving them.

Last week, I chatted with Marcus Siler. He had a very specific question he wanted me to ask you, “Paul, I was in attendance for your MLS debut in Atlanta. I can’t remember, how did that game go?”

Good one… I think the score was the same score as the MLS final that year. And that’s all that really matters Marcus.

For those that don’t remember the 2018 Final, it was 2-0 in favor of Atlanta United over Portland. 

I’m excited to be speaking with Alex Blackburn next week who is obviously your goalkeeper coach and Triumph’s head assistant coach. Paul, what would you like me to ask Alex?

What’s the biggest difference in being a coach in college versus professional? And why did you change from college to professional?

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Chattanooga, TN – Led by a late strike from Noah Pilato and an outstanding defensive performance, the league-leading Greenville Triumph prevailed on the road against the second-place Chattanooga Red Wolves in a critical clash for playoff positioning.  A physical match from the start, the contest saw eight yellow cards issued across the 90+ minutes of action as the Triumph earned a sweep of Chattanooga in 2020. With the 1-0 victory this afternoon, Greenville extends its lead at the top of the table to seven points.

The first half was played at a choppy rhythm, mostly due to a large number of fouls issued throughout the first 50 minutes of action. The half saw four yellow cards issued, with two each to Greenville and the Red Wolves. Despite the lack of established tempo, the league-leaders did well to combine through the midfield and break Chattanooga’s lines of pressure, which led to several near misses in Greenville’s final third. Co-captain Aaron Walker was an instrumental component to working the ball into dangerous spaces early on in the match, including an opportunity in the 20th minute when Lachlan McLean was taken down by the Chattanooga goalkeeper in a borderline foul that saw Chattanooga lucky to escape with a yellow.

Only three shots on goal were recorded during the first half, two for Greenville and one for Chattanooga. That all changed in the second half, as Chattanooga took dominant control of the game’s momentum. Before the second-half hydration break had occurred, Chattanooga’s explosive offense had added six second-half shots to a lone first half attempt. The Red Wolves were knocking heavily on the door of opportunity as the Greenville back line continued to weather the surge, blocking shot after shot to keep the game level at zero.

In the 83rd minute, it was Greenville combining through the midfield once again to break down the Chattanooga defense and get on the board first. Midfielder Noah Pilato found the feet of striker Lachlan McLean, who had checked off the defensive line, giving him time and space to turn and connect with winger Alex Morrell on the left flank. Morrell wasted no time getting to the end line and found a wide open Noah Pilato positioned well in front of the near post. At an almost impossible angle, Pilato fired a shot over the hands of the Chattanooga goalkeeper for his second goal of the season.

Chattanooga, a team that has scored four times in the last 15 minutes, did not let the 1-0 Greenville lead deflate their home-field energy. In the 92nd minute of the match, it was Steven Beattie who found himself behind the Triumph backline on a short breakaway that was saved in a collision by the reigning Goalkeeper of the Year, Dallas Jaye. That was the last chance the Red Wolves saw as the whistle would blow to signal another Greenville Triumph victory and only the second shutout Chattanooga has conceded this season. 

The Upstate club returns home to Legacy Early College on Friday, September 25th, for a rematch of the 2019 USL League One Final. With only five matches left to play this season, the race back to the final is well underway.

Greenville, SC – The Greenville Triumph have agreed to a deal with defender Matthew Powell ahead of the team’s Saturday afternoon match, pending league and federation approval. The Castro Valley, California native attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) from 2015 to 2019 and was a three-time All-PAC 12 selection through his four-year career.

Powell wasted no-time making an impact for the Bruins. As a redshirt freshman, he started in 19 matches and was named to Top Drawer Soccer’s Postseason Top 100 Freshman list (No. 17). As a redshirt junior, Powell was one of three Bruins to start all 19 games and contribute to all six of UCLA’s shutouts, with most appearances coming at the center back position.

The 2019 team captain rounded out his collegiate career with a stellar senior season, starting in all 18 matches and logging 1,561 minutes in a variety of roles including the center back, attacking and holding mid positions. Powell left UCLA having recorded six goals and five assists for 17 points through 72 games played. He started in all but one of his 72 career appearances.

Powell, who has been training with the Triumph in recent days, officially joins the league-leading side as a member of the active roster in advance of the club’s Saturday afternoon match in Chattanooga.

About Greenville Heritage: Triumph roster moves are brought to you by Greenville Heritage Federal Credit Union. Higher deposit rates, lower loan rates, and cash back rewards are just a few of the ways they put money back in their member’s wallets! 

“Together We Triumph” has taken on new meaning this season. While we haven’t been able to be together in the traditional sense, our sponsors and fans throughout the community have rallied to show their support in other ways during this challenging time.

The Uptown Company, a local and family-owned business in the Upstate has over a decade of experience in the catering and libation sector with a promise is to always provide unparalleled and personalized customer service alongside artful and creative presentations. Though this season has been one of change and adaptation, The Uptown Company has continued to act as a key functioning partner for the Greenville Triumph Soccer Club.

Opened by the Rosensteel family, The Uptown Company embodies Chris Rosensteel’s dream of becoming a chef. After attending The Culinary Institute of The Carolina’s, Chris returned to The Uptown Company and worked his way into the role of head chef. As a Greenville native, Chris and his family have seen where the city came from and are expecting to be an extensive part of Greenville’s future. Greenville Triumph is proud to support local businesses who embody the notion that “Together, We Triumph.” 

About The Uptown Company: The Uptown Company provides personalized, full service catering, in home chefs, bar and beverage service, and event planning for private parties, personal events, corporate meetings, and conferences in the greater Greenville area.

GREENVILLE, SC – After Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Forward Madison, three Triumph players earned a spot on the Week 9 USL League One Team of the Week. 

D – Cesar Murrillo: Murrillo made three interceptions and five clearances, won 12 of 17 duels and 2 of 3 tackles while also completing 24 of 32 passes in Greenville’s 2-0 victory against Forward Madison FC.

M – Aaron Walker: Walker had one assist, completed 24 of 28 passes overall, made six recoveries and won 2 of 2 tackles to help Greenville earn a 2-0 victory against Forward Madison FC.

F – Lachlan McLean: McLean scored for the second consecutive contest, recorded two shots overall and won 11 of 18 duels to lead Triumph SC’s attack in its victory against Forward Madison.  

The Triumph return to action on Saturday, September 19 as they head to Chattanooga to take on the Red Wolves at 1pm. You can watch the match on ESPN+ and the CW62.

Greenville, SC – After 12 goals in four games, an explosive Madison side was silenced by the league-leading Greenville Triumph in a 2-0 victory at Legacy Early College. Striker Lachlan McLean scored his third goal of the season and forward Jake Keegan extended his reign as the team’s points leader as the club extended their unbeaten streak at home in 2020. This afternoon’s win will also extend Greenville’s reign at the top spot for ten weeks straight.

The game began on a quiet and cloudy Sunday afternoon as the Triumph stepped onto their home pitch for the first time in three weeks. In a rivalry as pronounced as Madison vs Greenville, fuses were short and physicality was high. The first twenty minutes were spent in a chaotic state for both sides, with a lack of anticipation from the Triumph attack. As the dynamic front-three of Morrell, Mohammed and McLean began to focus on driving the game forward with positive touches, the Greenville side began to see moments of brilliance. In the 25th minute, Somalian national, Omar Mohamed, delivered a service into the box just behind the run of forward, Lachlan McLean. With his back to goal and keen awareness of the space behind him, McLean notched his third goal of the season off a side volley to the back corner.

After Greenville went up 1-0, the team established a more consistent rhythm as players began to find much cleaner touches on the ball and make more decisive runs. The pace of pressure from Madison slowed down, but moments before the half’s end, Madison was able to turn split seconds of momentum their way with a quality chance of their own on a low and short range shot that was batted away by reigning Goalkeeper of the Year Dallas Jaye. That save kept the Triumph’s 1-0 lead as the first half came to an end.

Although the chippiness from the first half continued throughout the game, the Triumph began the second half with a much more controlled energy after a few substitutions from John Harkes, Greenville’s attack looked fresh and determined. In the 67th minute, Alex Morrell connected with JJ Donnelly on the back post, as Donnelly’s one-touch shot was barely saved by Madison’s keeper. Moments later, due to Greenville’s touch-tight pressure, McLean found the end of a Forward Madison turnover and almost collected his second goal of the game after beating the goalkeeper one-v-one. A tremendous defensive effort from Forward Madison kept McLean from finding his first multigoal game.

Ultimately though, Madison’s spectacular defensive effort was not enough to keep the Triumph attack at bay when, with ten minutes to go and after a simple layoff in the midfield, Man of the Match and captain Aaron Walker found the run of Jake Keegan at the top of the 18-yard box. Keegan, who hasn’t scored since the 3-2 victory over Tormenta in August, found the back post with ease and composure to give the Triumph a 2-0 lead.

The red-hot Madison side, led by winger Don Smart, was silenced heavily by the league-leading Greenville defense throughout the match’s entirety. In an effort to rest defender, Brandon Fricke, the Triumph’s newest signee Andrew Booth was able to record his first appearance with the club.

Today’s 2-0 win garners Greenville its’ sixth shutout of the season. Madison has yet to win against the Triumph and will have to wait until next year to try again as this Sunday’s match was the final meeting between the two clubs.

The league leaders, now 7-2-1, will travel to Chattanooga for a Saturday match against the Red Wolves at 1:00 PM. The away match will be broadcast on the CW62 as well as ESPN+.

Thanks to Dallas Jaye’s clean sheet, you can get $3 off a Top Wash a Fins Car Wash tomorrow!

In recent weeks, our club has held a number of conversations with players, coaches, and front office staff to discuss the societal issues that our local community, and the country at large, are facing today. Our club is a microcosm of our community and our country: people of different genders, races, nationalities, backgrounds, and viewpoints. Our club is also a family. Just like any other family, we may disagree with one another on certain issues and have different opinions and viewpoints. However, when it comes to core principles and values that serve as the foundation of our club, we know we are together as one soccer family.

We also know we agree and are aligned on a number of things. We respect and honor our country, our military and our first responders. We respect the Constitutional rights afforded to all of us, which include the rights to peacefully protest and exercise our freedom of speech. Furthermore, we are united, on and off the field. United against racism. United against social injustice. United for equality. United for our fans, our city and our Upstate community. And we are most definitely united in our mission to bring joy and positive impact to our community through this great game. It is our hope that our supporters, fans and partners will join us in this mission.

We fully and completely understand that the issues we currently face in our society require action. We are prepared to act and have already taken steps to do our part to drive positive and constructive conversation in our community, promote and advance education on the challenges and social issues that must be confronted and have our club serve as a unifying force within the Upstate.

As a club, we will:

• Establish Election Day as a paid holiday for all employees and encourage them to use the day to exercise their right to vote and make their voices heard.
• Encourage Triumph fans to register to vote and find their local polling places.
• Establish an internal committee of players, coaches, and staff to determine the paths that club will take to actively engage in the conversation, the partners with whom we will work to take action and advance education about the societal issues we must face and overcome.
• Establish a Greenville Triumph foundation, with one of the main objectives being to provide access to the sport of soccer to disadvantaged people and areas in Upstate South Carolina.
• Triumph Chairman Joe Erwin has joined the newly-formed Greenville Racial Equity and Economic Mobility (REEM) Commission.
• Work with our players on awareness and fundraising initiatives that will engage and support Upstate organizations aimed at fostering, strengthening and supporting education and action related to racial equality and social justice.

We understand that while we can have different opinions and viewpoints, we can also come together and rally around core beliefs and values. We also understand that action is required to effectuate change. We are taking that action and welcome the support of our fellow community members in pushing forward the conversation, promoting and providing education and working to unify the great place in which we live, work and play. TOGETHER We Triumph.