Lyle Adams
Lyle Adams (born 19 December 1986) is a technology entrepreneur. He began his career as a professional soccer player, before moving on to the corporate world with positions at LivingSocial, Inc. and Uber technologies, Inc. In 2020, he founded Spry Payment Systems, Inc. and currently serves as the company's CEO.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Lyle Adams | ||
Date of birth | 19 December 1986 | ||
Place of birth | Kingston, Jamaica | ||
Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||
Position(s) | Defender | ||
College career | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2005–2008 | Wake Forest Demon Deacons | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2006 | Central Florida Kraze | 10 | (0) |
2007 | Carolina Dynamo | 12 | (1) |
2008 | Central Florida Kraze | 1 | (0) |
2009 | Austin Aztex | 13 | (3) |
2010 | D.C. United | 0 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 6 November 2009 |
Career
Youth and Amateur
Adams grew up in Orlando, Florida, attended Winter Park High School, played club soccer for the Central Florida United Soccer Club, and played college soccer at Wake Forest University, where he won an NCAA Division I national championship while graduating with an economics degree. During his college years he also played with both Central Florida Kraze and Carolina Dynamo in the USL Premier Development League.[1]
Professional Athlete
Adams was drafted in the second round (26th overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft by D.C. United, but decided to test the waters in Europe rather than sign with D.C. United.
After an unsuccessful trip to Europe where he was on trial with teams in Austria, Switzerland and Belgium, he joined the USL First Division expansion franchise Austin Aztex in March 2009.[2] Adams made his professional debut, and scored his first professional goal, on 18 April 2009, in Austin's USL1 season opener against Minnesota Thunder.[3]
He was released by the Aztex at the end of the 2009 season.[4]
In the 2010 preseason, he trialed with D.C. United of Major League Soccer,[5] and, on 17 March 2010, signed a developmental contract with them.[6][7] Adams was released by D.C. United on 30 April 2010 without making a first-team league appearance.[8]
Corporate
Adams began his professional career as an analyst at LivingSocial, Inc. in 2011. In the summer of 2012, he joined Uber Technologies, Inc. as an Operations and Logistics Manager in the Washington-DC Market. During his time at Uber, Adams held a variety of roles from product to analytics manager.
In April 2020, he founded Spry Payment Systems, Inc., "a comprehensive platform designed to help athletic departments adapt to the new NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) landscape to ensure the success of their program and athletes."
Honors
Wake Forest University
Arlington, VA Men's Upper Championship: 2012, 2013
References
- "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 June 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2009.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - "Adams signs with Aztex". Uslsoccer.com. 18 March 2009. Archived from the original on 10 June 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
- "Aztex earn draw in debut, tie Minnesota". Usl1.uslsoccer.com. 18 April 2009. Archived from the original on 21 December 2009. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
- "Austin Announces Release Of 14 Players From The 2009 Squad". Oursportscentral.com. 6 November 2009. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
- Goff, Steve. "D.C. United Preseason Roster". Voices.washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
- D.C. United signs defender Lyle Adams | D.C. United Archived 2010-03-25 at the Wayback Machine
- "First Team". D.C. United. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
- Goff, Steve. "Soccer Insider – D.C. United releases Shipalane, Adams". Voices.washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 23 September 2010.