Vermont Green FC Intern Ella Gazo sat down with midfielder Dylan Lane for some questions about nicknames, movies, and who inspires his game.
How did you find Vermont Green FC?
I found Vermont Green through Owen O’Malley who is my childhood friend, and I’ve known him since I was 10. He was a part of the VGFC opening season, and asked me if I wanted to play in 2022, but I said “no” because I didn’t know anything about Vermont and I wanted to stay home and train locally. Then as I saw the year go on, and I saw how much fun he had, the high level of play, the fans, and the community, I knew I wanted to play for the Green next year. Overall, Owen was kind of the middle man, and then my college coaches (at Furman) took it from there and through the combination of my coaches, Owen, and Coach Adam, we were able to make it work.
Do you prefer Vermont or North Carolina better?
I like North Carolina because it’s home, but I will say that Vermont is like a fever dream, a little. It kind of reminds me of “The Truman Show” in the best way possible. I think it is extremely calm here and when I drive my car to places like North Beach or Church Street everyone is just chill and you can really feel the community vibe from it. It is extremely beautiful here and it puts me in a good state of mind.
This summer we have seen you play the 7, 11, and the 10 (positions), so growing up what position did you play the most and what position do you like the best?
During my childhood, U10 and U12, I was the number 10, just attacking, finding pockets and just trying to score and assist. I enjoy that position a lot because I like attacking and making stuff happen. As I got a little older they moved me deeper as an 8 and then they moved me out wide to both the 7 and 11 at times and occasionally back to the 10. Basically any position in the front 3 I can play which is nice because I am versatile and my coaches can count on me in numerous positions. Now, in college I mainly play out wide and as a 10, but I’ll go wherever coach puts me.
What sports did you play growing up? If you didn’t play soccer, what sport would you be best at or want to play?
Growing up I played, for fun, “Upward Basketball” which was a little pick up league I played when I was like 7. I also played street basketball in the cul-de-sac, but other than that soccer was always the one sport I was consistently in since I was 4. If I didn’t play soccer, I feel like I would have to do basketball or something that is a team sport and somewhat similar to soccer and I would play point guard and just pass a bunch.
Do you have any specific pregame rituals? For example, what you eat, or the way you put on your socks, shin guards, and cleats?
I don’t really have any to be honest, I usually eat 4 hours before the game and that’s usually the same meal; chicken, rice, veggies. That’s a boring answer! I don’t have any pre-game rituals, I just like to be in the moment and be loose with my teammates and make sure everyone is in a good mood and not stressed.
Are there any pros that you try to mimic your game after?
Yeah for sure, Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish…those attacking number 10/wing players that I watch a lot and try to see how they do it, and put my own twist to it. Definitely those players I watch and try to see how they move and they play.
So you’re definitely a City fan then?
Ahhh no I’m an Arsenal fan, City just has better players!
Do you have a number that you prefer to wear?
My favorite number is the 10, because everyone wants to be the number 10. At Furman I was number 7 before I was number 10 and my number for Vermont is 17. My mom noticed that it is 7+10 so the two numbers I have had at Furman added up is my number for Vermont. I have no superstitions about numbers, but I do like the 7 and 10 because I’ve had those numbers before.
Do you have a favorite field or atmosphere that you’ve ever played in front of?
I would say Stone Stadium for Furman when we have big games, but other than that it has got to be Virtue Field. During our home opener I was on the bench and to hear everyone cheer, it’s a professional environment, it really is. It’s really crazy to see and hear and to now be playing there and getting your name called is surreal.
Do you have a go to celebration?
I have one that you have probably seen the picture of. I put one arm like I am sneezing and my other arm is like I am pointing at the camera. Me and Owen O’Malley did that a couple years ago, so we have just always done it since then and my academy coach calls it “the DL” because of my initials, but I don’t want to call it that because I don’t want to have a signature celebration. I definitely do that one the most when I do score, I don’t even know what it is. It’s just something funny that me and Owen did so now we just always both do it.
Do you have a FIFA team you like to play with?
FIFA team? It has to be City because they’re just the best. It’s just OP, and it is not really fair. You can ask Zach Zengue what he knows about that because I beat him every time.
Do you have a favorite movie?
Shutter Island
Have you ever had a nickname and if so do you have a favorite nickname?
I’ve been called “Baby Carrot” before and “Dyl,” “Dyl Pickle,” but I would save my favorite one is probably “Dyl” because it’s just easy and everyone calls me that pretty quickly after meeting me, so it’s nice.
Do you have a favorite kit you have ever worn?
My favorite kit would have to be our cream away kit. I think those are super, super clean. The new home kits are a close second because they bring out my hair.