Posted on April 17 2025
Name: Jacob Randolph
Hometown: New Orleans, Louisiana
Present Team: Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
At what age did you start playing soccer?
I started playing soccer at 5 years old in New Orleans, Louisiana. When I was 8, I joined my first club, Louisiana Fire SC.
At what age did you become a GK?
I began playing goalkeeper when I was around 16 years old. Before I was a goalkeeper, I played in the midfield, but I wasn’t getting much playing time as I kept advancing levels of play. One day our goalkeeper broke his foot, and I decided to hop in between the sticks. I fell in love and found greater joy in denying forwards’ shots than I did scoring goals on the field. From then on, I never looked back.
What is your favorite soccer memory?
My favorite soccer memory would have to be my match against Clemson University in the Fall of 2023. It was my final season at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and we traveled to Riggs Field to play the eventual National champions that season. The stadium and atmosphere was incredible as we faced a big challenge on the road. I played very well in the match, and even had a last minute 1v1 save to keep the match level and see us earn a point on the road.
Who is your favorite GK to watch/emulate?
My favorite goalkeeper to watch is Mike Maignan of AC Milan and the France National Team. Maignan is a brave player in goal, a skilled shot stopper, and has great ability with his feet. His calm presence and consistency as the last line of defense gives his team a feeling of security that all goalkeepers should strive for.
What is your favorite HPG glove and why?
My favorite HPG glove would have to be the Velocity. This lightweight negative cut glove gives me excellent feel and control of the ball. Not to mention, the latex out of the bag is unreal and provides excellent grip in all conditions!
Why did you join the HPG glove family?
I joined the HPG family because of their values and the great people behind the brand. Hard work and consistency are the foundation of High Performance Goalkeeping, and their products and staff exemplify this perfectly. The first time I tried a pair of gloves, I was impressed by how comfortable they were straight out the bag as well as the quality after a couple weeks of use. The HPG family always provides excellent gloves and top notch support on the field.
One piece of advice you would give a young Gk wanting to become a pro?
Some advice I’d give to young aspiring professional goalkeepers is believe in yourself and don’t let perfection be the enemy of progress. Goalkeeping is a position that requires confidence and belief from your teammates. If you can’t believe in yourself first, then how can others believe and count on you? Furthermore, goalkeeping is a constant journey. Not every training or game will be perfect and mistakes will happen along the way. Therefore, take pride in the little steps of progress you make each day and learn from your mistakes. Eventually, it will all come together!