FRISCO, Texas — For FC Dallas midfielder Jacori Hayes, Saturday’s match against D.C. United is more than a late-season clash in the nation’s capital.
It’s a return home.
For the first time in his professional career, Hayes will be returning to where it all started. He grew up playing sports in Bowie, Md., at the local Boys & Girls club before playing soccer in the tri-state area.
“It’s a pretty cool feeling to play in front of my family and friends and to see the new stadium,” Hayes said to ProSoccer USA. “Growing up, I went to the RFK stadium for games. It’s going to be cool to see how D.C. United has grown as an organization over these past two years. I’m just most excited to play in front of my family and friends and my parents have sacrificed so much for me just to play soccer. I think it’ll be a cool treat to show what that hard paid off.”
Lots of friends and families will be in attendance to watch Hayes, with around 50 tickets being purchased. He grew up playing in the area with the Baltimore Bays SC youth program before moving onto collegiate soccer at Wake Forest University.
Hayes grew up watching soccer at D.C. United’s old home, RFK Stadium. He spoke about watching Freddy Adu and seeing clashes between D.C. and the New England Revolution. The new stadium has been a long time coming for fans of the club, and Hayes thinks it’ll continue to provide a spark for the original franchise.
“I think it’ll do nothing but grow the game,” Hayes said. “RFK was a little bit of a rundown stadium, and now with the new stadium at Audi Field, there’s much more excitement around the team there. I think it can only improve the soccer in the D.C. area.”
With Carlos Gruezo on international duty with the Ecuadorian national team, Hayes will be in the mix to start alongside Victor Ulloa this weekend. Hayes had a strong start to the Major League Soccer season, starting in seven straight matches before being benched after a tough performance April 29, a 3-1 loss at New York City FC.
Hayes has not been in the 18 for the last five matches, sitting inactive with the addition of Colombian midfielder Abel Aguilar, but is traveling this week. Hayes says he’s focused on the team goals rather than proving anything for himself, as the playoff race continues to enter its final legs.
“Nothing to prove personally,” Hayes said. “The team has goals of staying one or two in the West and three points can go along way in the West and secure top two spots and accomplish our next goals, which is the first round bye. Nothing personally, just team goals right now.”