Born in France, raised in Denver and now amidst his second stint with Sporting Kansas City, 26-year-old left back Amadou Dia joined The Nutmeg Podcast host Josh Klingler of 610 Sports Radio this week to discuss a variety of topics on and off the pitch.
Dia has made four appearances for Sporting this season, having rejoined the side in January after a successful three-year stint at Phoenix Rising FC in the USL Championship. The defender launched his professional career with Sporting as a 2015 SuperDraft selection and played 37 matches in his first spell at the club.
Now that Dia has another shot to make an impact at the MLS level, the Clemson product is determined to make the most of the opportunity.
“Kansas City has been like a second home to me, from the first moment I got here,” Dia said. “In my head, I wanted to come back. I would have joined any MLS team that would have taken me, but Kansas City was definitely at the top, for sure.
“It’s just a different environment over here. First of all, the facilities are top class. Absolutely unbelievable. The attitude here is, ‘Do anything you can to win.’ The team has an amazing chemistry with everybody from the coaching staff down to the last player on the bench. Everybody is on the same page, and that is to win.
“And then the fans at the stadium are absolutely amazing as well. When you come to play in Kansas City, you’re like, ‘This is the real deal.’ You can see it and feel it. It’s amazing and hard to describe, but you can feel it.”
Listen to the full podcast below.
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The Nutmeg Podcast: Defender Amadou Dia
Dia and Sporting will resume their regular season campaign Wednesday, hosting Orlando City SC at Children’s Mercy Park. The marquee interconference clash is set for 6:30 p.m. CT with live coverage on FS1, FOX Deportes, the FOX Sports app, Sports Radio 810 WHB and La Grande 1340 AM. Tickets for the contest are also available at SeatGeek.com, with Children’s Mercy Park
Previous episodes of The Nutmeg Podcast
- Episode 101: Defender Seth Sinovic (Aug. 13, 2019)
- Episode 102: Midfielder Gianluca Busio (Aug. 27, 2019)
- Episode 103: Goalkeeper Tim Melia (Sept. 10, 2019)
- Episode 104: "Kitman" Mike Flaherty (Sept. 24, 2019)
- Episode 105: Midfielder Roger Espinoza (Oct. 8, 2019)
- Episode 106: Assistant coach Kerry Zavagnin (Oct. 22, 2019)
- Episode 107: Defender Jaylin Lindsey (Nov. 5, 2019)
- Episode 108: Chief Communications Officer Rob Thomson (Nov. 19, 2019)
- Episode 109: Manager Peter Vermes - Part 1 (Dec. 3, 2019)
- Episode 110: Manager Peter Vermes - Part 2 (Dec. 17, 2019)
- Episode 111: President & CEO Jake Reid (Jan. 3, 2019)
- Episode 201: Defender Graham Zusi (Jan. 14, 2020)
- Episode 202: Goalkeeper Tim Melia and defender Cameron Duke (Jan. 29, 2020)
- Episode 203: Forward Khiry Shelton (Feb. 12, 2020)
- Episode 204: Forward Daniel Salloi (Feb. 25, 2020)
- Episode 205: Veterans Matt Besler, Roger Espinoza and Graham Zusi (March 10, 2020)
- Episode 206: Manager Peter Vermes talks COVID-19 (March 20, 2020)
- Episode 207: Forward Johnny Russell (March 26, 2020)
- Episode 208: Retired midfielder Benny Feilhaber (April 16, 2020)
- Episode 209: Midfielder and eMLS star Wan Kuzain (May 6, 2020)
- Episode 210: Retired goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen (May 19, 2020)
- Episode 211: Assistant coach Kerry Zavagnin (June 11, 2020)
- Episode 212: Midfielder Roger Espinoza (June 24, 2020)
- Episode 213: Manager Peter Vermes (July 14, 2020)
- Episode 214: Defender Graham Smith (Aug. 11, 2020)
- Episode 215: Midfielder Felipe Hernandez (Aug. 25, 2020)
