One of the many players set for their second season in Charleston, Kyle Nelson returns to the Battery backline for 2020. The 6’2″ defender impressed on both ends of the ball in 2019 and was named the Betsy McAdams Newcomer of the Year. We caught up with him to get the scoop on what it’s like to have your own fan club and so much more in this week’s Behind the Black and Yellow Q&A.
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Austin, Texas
Q: What is one thing you have to have when traveling?
A: My old Nintendo DS. I’m not a person that is obsessed with music all the time so having something to play on the bus or on planes is always a good option.
Q: What would you be if you weren’t a professional soccer player
A: I’d most likely be a physical trainer. At Wofford, I majored in biology so once I’m done I can still stay heavily involved in sports.
Q: What is the best advice you have ever received?
A: The only thing that stops me from achieving what I want is myself.
Q: How does it feel to have your own fan club?
A: I find it funny and entertaining. Especially since it was a mystery to even me on who controlled it for a while.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Charleston so far?
A: The multitude of things to do here. I could go to the beach, I could grab something to eat at many different places, and just walking King Street by itself is a lot of fun
Q: What is one thing you couldn’t live without?
A: My favorite snack of all time, animal crackers.
Q: Should AJ bring back his dreadlocks?
A: OF COURSE! With the social distancing he is basically half way there already.
Q: If you had a superpower, what would it be?
A: Super sonic speed just like the Flash.
Q: What is one thing that is overrated?
A: Constant shopping for clothes. I don’t understand how people constantly buy things and only wear them a few times.
Q: What is the best purchase you have made so far this year?
A: Buying my mother an edible arrangements bouquet just because she deserves it.
Q: What is your biggest pet peeve?
A: I’m very much a person that likes to be in the moment and having conversations, so people who are constantly on the phone drives me crazy. You can ask most people, I point it out pretty often.
Q: Who takes the most selfies?
A: Romario Piggott, the man loves the good lighting!
Q: Who is your favorite soccer player of all time?
A: David Beckham. I love what he did for the game during his time and the fact that even now he is still impacting the soccer world.
Q: Do you have any superstitions?
A: It very much depends. I don’t have any specific rituals but if something good happens as a result of some actions I performed, you can bet I will do the exact same thing in hopes it happens again.
Q: If you could be anywhere in the world, where would you be and what would you be doing?
A: If I had to pick one, I would pick Europe. I would just be taking in all the different cultures and go to some of the places I haven’t had a chance to visit yet.
Q: What’s your go-to karaoke song?
A: Caught Up by Usher.
Q: If you had to choose one teammate to survive on a deserted island with, who would it be?
A: I’d choose AJ. Everyone knows the brotherhood the two of us have created so far. I think we would work well together to figure what we need to get off of it.
Q: What is one thing fans might not know about you?
A: My parent’s backyard is a certified wildlife habitat. It starts off with the fact my family owns a 30-40 pound tortoise at home that roams the backyard freely. There are plenty of other things but I’ll save that for a later date.
