Niall McCabe saw tiny Young Harris College, which had an enrollment of about 800 students when he arrived, as the ideal spot to play soccer without the distractions of a big city.
The North Georgia school likewise attracted Ilija Ilic and Paco Craig, two other Europeans seeking an education while they played the game they love.
“The USA’s the only country where you can do that,” Ilic noted.
And so the trio, all from Europe, honed their skills as Young Harris transitioned from a junior college to four-year liberal arts institution. They had dreams of playing soccer professionally, and it’s something more than a coincidence that years later, they all star for Louisville City FC.
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Much of the credit belongs to Young Harris coach Mark McKeever, who will lead the Mountain Lions during Saturday’s closed-door preseason game at the LouCity training ground. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. at Thurman-Hutchins Park.
“We’ve all got great respect for Mark,” said LouCity coach James O’Connor. “He’s an excellent coach. He’s someone who I believe will move on to bigger and better things. He’s got an outstanding record there. He’s got a really good eye for a player.”
The midfielder McCabe, a native of Ireland, is someone McKeever said “set the standards” for the Young Harris program. He registered 11 goals and 17 assists as a senior.
Ilic, a forward, followed by being named the the NCAA Division II Men’s Player of the Year in 2014 as he totaled 27 goals and 13 assists. The Serbian was also named the Men’s Scholar Athlete of the Year.
A defender, Craig earned Peach Belt Conference Freshman and Player of the Year awards during his college career. In his final season before signing with LouCity, the Englishman led a defense that posted a 1.04 goals-against average.
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“You really just get to focus on what’s important,” McCabe said of Young Harris, Ga., “and if you’re serious on playing soccer at the next level, it was a great environment to be in. Mark helped as well.”
McCabe was among LouCity’s first signings before the 2015 season. Ilic earned a contract after a trial with the club, as did Craig, who joined for 2016. While each play different positions, there’s a chemistry among the group.
“It just means that when you get on to the field again, you have a bit more familiarity with each other,” Craig said. “You kind of understand each other better, which just makes things go smoother basically.”
Craig said he’s “buzzing for” Saturday’s game, which will be closed to all but a group of LouCity season ticket holders who have RSVP’d. He joked McKeever could receive a few jeering texts before kickoff.
As for where these players’ loyalty belongs?
“I’m playing for Louisville now,” McCabe said with a grin. “I’ll take a 5-nil win.”
