Stephen McCarthy loved everything about Koupio, Finland, a laid-back town of about 110,000 where he spent 2015. He played soccer there last season for KuPS in Finland’s Premier League, soaking in the culture, food and relaxed lifestyle of Finland. He loved everything, except for the fact that it wasn’t Texas.
McCarthy’s hometown is Dallas, but soccer has taken him around the world. There was college in Santa Clara and at the University of North Carolina, four seasons in New England after he was drafted by the Revolution and a 2015 season on a Scandinavian lakeside.
McCarthy, a 6-foot-4 centerback, was weighing staying overseas for another season. Then, home called him back.
San Antonio FC coach Darren Powell called McCarthy with an opportunity to join a new USL club, and McCarthy was one of the first players to sign up in January.
“I want to put Texas on my back, to put it on for my state,” McCarthy said. “I always wanted to play for FC Dallas when I was younger, so trying to make San Antonio an MLS city is huge for me. Texas has always been a huge part of me, and I want to give something back to my state.”
Attending high school in Fort Worth, McCarthy was well versed in soccer’s place on the Texas sports hierarchy. He was one of the state’s top soccer players, a member of a Dallas Texans ’88 club team that won three national championships, but at his high school, he had as much or more value for being able to kick a 50-yard field goal with ease.
McCarthy signed up for the football team because one of his best friends played, but never pursued placekicking because soccer was his passion.
“Looking back, I think that maybe there could have been a lot of money there,” McCarthy said. “There are a lot of kickers out there though, and it’s very low job security. You miss one, and you might be done. So maybe I made the right decision.”
McCarthy said a big part of his decision to join San Antonio FC was the chance to help grow the sport in Texas.
Quick, name a soccer player from Texas other than Clint Dempsey. There’s Brek Shea, a native of College Station, and Liga MX’s Omar Gonzalez, a former club teammate of McCarthy. But the list is too short considering the sheer number of Texas stars in other sports. McCarthy wants to help change that. He said he’s already impressed by the fan support SAFC has received, especially the sold-out crowd at Toyota Field at the April 9 season opener. As San Antonio FC has plans for a development squad in the future, McCarthy hopes the next great American soccer player just might be from South Texas.
“Everything fell into place for me in San Antonio,” McCarthy said. “The chance to play for Darren, this being my home state and being part of Spurs Sports & Entertainment’s organization. I want to be a better leader, and I want this to be the place where I accomplish that.”
Stephen McCarthy loved everything about Koupio, Finland, a laid-back town of about 110,000 where he spent 2015. He played soccer there last season for KuPS in Finland’s Premier League, soaking in the culture, food and relaxed lifestyle of Finland. He loved everything, except for the fact that it wasn’t Texas.
McCarthy’s hometown is Dallas, but soccer has taken him around the world. There was college in Santa Clara and at the University of North Carolina, four seasons in New England after he was drafted by the Revolution and a 2015 season on a Scandinavian lakeside.
McCarthy, a 6-foot-4 centerback, was weighing staying overseas for another season. Then, home called him back.
San Antonio FC coach Darren Powell called McCarthy with an opportunity to join a new USL club, and McCarthy was one of the first players to sign up in January.
“I want to put Texas on my back, to put it on for my state,” McCarthy said. “I always wanted to play for FC Dallas when I was younger, so trying to make San Antonio an MLS city is huge for me. Texas has always been a huge part of me, and I want to give something back to my state.”
Attending high school in Fort Worth, McCarthy was well versed in soccer’s place on the Texas sports hierarchy. He was one of the state’s top soccer players, a member of a Dallas Texans ’88 club team that won three national championships, but at his high school, he had as much or more value for being able to kick a 50-yard field goal with ease.
McCarthy signed up for the football team because one of his best friends played, but never pursued placekicking because soccer was his passion.
“Looking back, I think that maybe there could have been a lot of money there,” McCarthy said. “There are a lot of kickers out there though, and it’s very low job security. You miss one, and you might be done. So maybe I made the right decision.”
McCarthy said a big part of his decision to join San Antonio FC was the chance to help grow the sport in Texas.
Quick, name a soccer player from Texas other than Clint Dempsey. There’s Brek Shea, a native of College Station, and Liga MX’s Omar Gonzalez, a former club teammate of McCarthy. But the list is too short considering the sheer number of Texas stars in other sports. McCarthy wants to help change that. He said he’s already impressed by the fan support SAFC has received, especially the sold-out crowd at Toyota Field at the April 9 season opener. As San Antonio FC has plans for a development squad in the future, McCarthy hopes the next great American soccer player just might be from South Texas.
“Everything fell into place for me in San Antonio,” McCarthy said. “The chance to play for Darren, this being my home state and being part of Spurs Sports & Entertainment’s organization. I want to be a better leader, and I want this to be the place where I accomplish that.”
