Player Profile: Tristan Blackmon

Now in the middle of his second MLS season, Tristan Blackmon is starting to see the results of his dedication to the physical, and mental, aspects of the game. The LAFC defender shared his journey to his first MLS goal and what he's learned along the way. 

What has your path to the MLS been like?

I grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada. I started playing club soccer there when I was eight or nine years-old. My mom played soccer, so she is actually the reason I started playing. Vegas is kind of an oddball when it comes to soccer because there isn’t a lot of talent coming out of the area. A lot of talent from the West Coast is coming from California, Portland, those type of areas.  So, I found myself going to a lot of tournaments with my club team in Southern California to get exposed to some higher level competition.

I played soccer all throughout high school, and then went to the University of the Pacific, which is a  Division I school in Stockton, California. I was brought on as a part of an effort to reboot their program, so it was really cool to be a part of the rebirth of soccer there. 

As a young player, what did it take physically and mentally to earn minutes with a top team?

This year, I had certain goals I set to become a better version of myself. I wanted to learn my position a little better and to become more aware of what was being asked of me. In general, I just focused on becoming the best player that I could be for the team that I’m on. In the beginning of the year I was playing center back for a decent amount of the preseason. I ended up getting an injury that kept me out a month. It was a little hard to catch up after that since everyone was already getting games and minutes in and I needed to get back to that level of fitness after recovering.

In this last little stretch though, it’s been great. I've been training with the team every day and this past weekend was my first 90 minute game in awhile. It felt really good to be out there in front of the home crowd and to notch my first goal. That was incredible and I hope to build on that the rest of the year and keep learning my position, whatever it may be, and keep helping my team whatever way that I can.

Can you walk us through scoring your first goal and what that moment felt like?

Thankfully I made a good connection with it and as soon as I turned my head to look back I saw it hit the net. It was kind of a surreal moment, you picture what it’s going to be like and then it happens and I think you kind of get shell shocked and overwhelmed with emotion. It was definitely a surreal moment that I’ll cherish forever. 

Throughout your first years as a player, who did you look to as a mentor?

You have your core group of people like family and friends, but for me my teammates really stepped up and aided me through the harder times. Especially Tyler Miller and Walker Zimmerman. I’m really close with those guys and they would tell me that 'Look this is what’s best for you, we’ve been in your shoes and you just have to keep going because this will pay off.' They were always positive with me about things, but also kept it real with me. I would say for me my teammates definitely impacted me in a positive way. 

What advice would you give to young players facing similar challenges?

You have to keep doing the things that are asked of you and coming in with the  mindset that you are trying to grow and become the best player and version of yourself that you can be. It’s easier said than done, but it goes a long way when you show the coaches that you are there to work and get better as a player.

Follow Tristan on Twitter and Instagram.