Last week, we met up with one of Sporting KC’s standout rookies, Amadou Dia, after he finished his daily post-practice rookie duties. Here’s what he had to say:
Connor Erickson: Your friends and teammates call you “T”, where did that come from?
Amadou Dia: So my first name, not a lot of people know this, is actually Amadou-Tidiane. I used to go by Tidiane instead of Amadou and “T” was just short for that. My name is French-African. My parents are from Africa and they moved to France which is where I was born so it is a mix of those two.
CE: When did you move to the United States?
AD: When I was 7, I moved to San Francisco, California. Then when I was 10, I moved to Denver.
CE: What do you remember most about France?
AD: Playing soccer in the streets a lot. Every Tuesday there was a pizza truck that would come to our neighborhood. It was like a routine and the whole neighborhood would go to the pizza truck and eat. It’s the best pizza I’ve ever had in my life.
CE: What was it like having to adjust to living in America as a kid?
AD: Everything was really different for me right away. I remember my sister teaching me about words that we couldn’t say. I learned how to say "ow" instead of "ay" for when I got hurt because it sounded like I was saying "hi". I remember thinking everything was a lot bigger and we had to travel everywhere by car, which was weird, because in France we just walked everywhere or used the subway
CE: What was the draft like for you?
AD: It was really cool. I didn’t get invited to the combine and I didn’t think I was going to get drafted. So I was just sitting at home watching it on my laptop. Then my name got called and I was shocked. I got really excited and started calling everybody, my phone started blowing up, and then Peter (Vermes) called me so it was a really cool experience.
CE: So you had not been expecting to get drafted at all, and you heard your name get called in the first round? How did that feel?
AD: Yeah it took me a second to realize what just happened. It was a really cool experience.
Mitch Cissell: What is your favorite thing about living here so far?
AD: Everybody is really nice here. Everywhere I go people are saying hello and they are super friendly and I really like that.
MC: We saw you carrying water around for the guys, what else do you have to do as a rookie?
AD: It’s all the same stuff you have to do as a freshman in college. After practice is done I put all of the equipment away. I fill the fridge with water and stuff like that. It’s not bad at all.
CE: You’re roommates with fellow rookie Saad Abdul-Salaam. How has that gone so far?
AD: It’s been good. We have some intense FIFA games. There is lots of yelling during those. Other times we just nap and chill in our apartment, maybe go grab some dinner. Tim (Melia) lives in our apartment complex with his wife so we hang out with them too.
CE: Okay now for some serious questions, rapid fire style. One Direction or Justin Bieber?
AD: I’m going to have to go with Justin Biebs. I actually kind of like his style of music. He’s actually pretty good at singing and he has some songs that I like.
MC: If you could do a duet with anyone, who would it be and to what song?
AD: I would sing with Beyonce for sure. I have no idea what song. I would let Beyonce pick the song.
MC: What is something you’ve always wanted to do but have been too afraid to try?
AD: Bungee Jumping. I’m afraid of heights, but I’m going to do it one time at least.
MC: Most random thing you’ve ever watched on Netflix?
AD: I actually watched the One Direction documentary, but just a little bit.
CE: Woah, woah, I thought you were a Belieber.
AD: I only watched it for 10 minutes then I turned it off so it doesn’t count!
CE: What is your secret talent?
AD: I can cook pretty well.
CE: What is your best dish?
AD: Crepes. My stepmom is a chef so she taught me to cook some things.
CE: Have you ever thought about going on Top Chef?
AD: No, I would win the whole thing too easily!
MC: Who is the best dancer on the team?
AD: Probably Connor Hallisey. You should ask him to dance for you.
MC: For sure! We'll be meeting up with him sometime soon. If you could take three celebrities on a trip to Vegas who would you take?
AD: Oh man… I would take Margot Robbie because she is gorgeous. This is tough... I would probably take Dom (Dwyer) because I’m always hanging out with him. He’s a pretty big celebrity too. For the third person, maybe Selena Gomez.
MC: Why Selena?
AD: I really appreciate her musical ability. (Smirks sarcastically)
