The gap between being great in college and thriving as a pro is smaller than a square of grass, and that’s exactly where Tommy McCabe lives. We sit down with the Oakland Roots midfielder to unpack how a backyard obsession, a London childhood, and the Jersey hotbed launched a journey through youth national teams, Notre Dame, MLS, and the USL Championship. Tommy brings calm clarity to a noisy landscape: the right path isn’t a league acronym, it’s the daily training environment that pushes you while helping you belong.

We dive into the core pro separators, awareness, scanning, and first touch, and why the game gets tighter and faster with every level. Tommy explains how to keep the ball and structure under pressure, how to master the basics without boredom, and why decision-making starts with seeing the right picture before the ball arrives. From there, we talk culture: the best clubs build environment, connection, and belonging. He shares candid insights on roster turnover, improving USL contracts, and the delicate balance between opportunity and stability that shapes a season and a career.

Curious about MLS vs USL differences, player lifestyle, and what promotion and relegation could mean for the American game? Tommy offers a measured view rooted in player welfare and professional standards while still embracing the excitement of higher stakes. We also look ahead to Oakland’s potential on and off the field, training at the former Raiders facility, and turning a historic stadium into a fortress. If you care about player development, coaching, and what truly makes a professional, this conversation will sharpen your lens.

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More About this Episode

The Path to Pro: Tommy McCabe on Development, Decision-Making, and the Realities of Professional Soccer

There’s a lot of noise in American soccer these days. Whether it's about the player development pipeline, college versus academy, or the promise and pitfalls of pro/rel, the conversation often centers on the system. But what if we paused to focus on the players navigating it? What does it really take to make it in the U.S. soccer landscape? What separates a good college player from a professional? And what is it like day-to-day in the trenches of a USL Championship season?

In a recent episode of Pitch to Pro, I sat down with Tommy McCabe, a veteran USL midfielder currently with Oakland Roots. Tommy's journey is a great case study in the realities of becoming and staying a professional in a league that’s constantly evolving. From youth national team camps and college soccer to MLS and multiple USL stops, Tommy has seen nearly every corner of the American soccer pyramid.

Falling in Love With the Game

Tommy’s soccer journey began like many others in the U.S., in the backyard. With a dad who played and coached at the high school and college levels, the game was part of the family DNA. His earliest memories include passing with his dad and being around high-level high school soccer in New Jersey. Later, his family moved to London when he was still very young. That brief stint in North London coincided with the age when many kids fall in love with sports. Immersed in English soccer culture, and surrounded by die-hard Arsenal fans, it wasn’t long before Tommy became one himself.

Returning to the U.S., he settled into New Jersey’s thriving soccer scene. It was a move that helped set the stage for his later development. With access to diverse and competitive club environments, he eventually earned a spot in the U-17 U.S. national team residency program, a proving ground that exposed him to top international youth talent and gave him a glimpse of what it meant to live like a pro.

That residency experience was a turning point. For Tommy, it wasn’t just about the level of competition. It was about falling deeper in love with the rhythm of the professional lifestyle, training every day, stacking good days on top of each other, and building routines that revolved around the game.

The Player Pathway: No One-Size-Fits-All

Tommy’s reflections on the American player pathway are refreshingly nuanced. He acknowledges the chaos of the current system, the so-called alphabet soup of leagues, academies, and routes to the top, but argues that there are more solutions than people realize.

He points out that success is less about the badge on the jersey or the name of the league, and more about the quality of the daily training environment. Players and parents should prioritize environments where development and accountability are part of the culture. Find a place where you are consistently pushed, where your growth is tracked, and where good habits are reinforced daily.

That advice is especially relevant in an age where the spotlight often falls on flashy club affiliations or tournament accolades. Tommy’s own journey included time at PDA (Players Development Academy), college soccer at Notre Dame, a stint in MLS with FC Cincinnati, and now several years as a USL mainstay. It’s proof that the road is rarely straight, but it is navigable with the right mindset and structure.

What Separates a College Star from a Pro

One of the key takeaways from our conversation was Tommy’s insight into what separates the top college players from professionals. The short answer: time, space, and decision-making.

As you move up the ladder, there is less of each. In college, there’s often more space to run, more time to think, and more chaotic transition play. In the pro game, everything compresses. The windows to make decisions get smaller. The pressure is more immediate. The margin for error shrinks.

In that kind of environment, players who succeed are the ones who can operate in tight spaces under pressure. They don’t just survive in those moments, they thrive. That ability comes down to two core attributes: the quality of a player’s first touch and their scanning habits. The more frequently a player checks their surroundings and understands the picture before the ball arrives, the more effectively they can make decisions in limited space.

There’s a quote from Arsène Wenger that Tommy referenced: too often, coaches focus on execution before awareness. But awareness leads to better decision-making, which in turn leads to better execution. That sequence, awareness, decision, execution, is at the heart of professional-level performance.

The Real Life of a Pro Player

From the outside, being a professional soccer player can look glamorous. But as Tommy explains, the day-to-day is a grind, and success often hinges on what happens between the 9 a.m. training session and the 4 p.m. recovery routine.

A typical day involves early arrival at the training ground, team meetings, training, recovery, and lifting. But the real challenge is maintaining physical and mental sharpness across a 10 or 11-month season. Managing your energy, prioritizing recovery, and staying mentally focused are just as important as technical ability.

For Tommy, life with Oakland Roots has added a new layer to that experience. Living in San Francisco, he bikes and takes the ferry to training, an unconventional but energizing commute that helps him stay connected to the city and its communities. Oakland Roots is based at the former Raiders facility, a top-tier setup by USL standards, and one that contributes to a professional culture focused on long-term growth.

Comparing USL and MLS

Having played in both leagues, Tommy sees clear differences in roster structure, budget, and international recruitment between MLS and USL. MLS clubs have deeper pockets, more international flexibility, and a growing reliance on global scouting. In contrast, the USL Championship often features players grinding for opportunity, many of whom have experience in both leagues.

There’s also a revolving door of player movement between the two levels, MLS loanees coming down, USL standouts moving up, and many players toggling between roles. That volatility makes roster consistency hard to achieve. Still, clubs like Louisville City have managed to remain competitive by maintaining strong internal cultures and making smart personnel decisions year after year.

What Makes a Great Club Environment

With stints at several different clubs, Tommy has seen firsthand what separates great organizations from those that struggle. It’s not always about the facilities or the win-loss record. It’s about the environment.

Three things matter most: daily environment, connection, and belonging.

The daily environment is about standards, professionalism, and clarity. Do players feel supported? Are the expectations clear? Is there mutual accountability between players, staff, and leadership?

Connection is about chemistry and trust. It’s what allows teams to weather adversity, enjoy training, and create special moments on the field.

Belonging is the emotional piece, feeling like you’re part of something bigger than yourself. That’s especially powerful in clubs like Oakland Roots, where there’s a deep connection to the local community and an intentional focus on culture.

Even in a season full of uncertainty, as was the case with Tommy’s year at Loudoun United, those three ingredients can create a memorable experience. In some ways, that season was more meaningful than the one where he lifted a trophy. It’s a reminder that joy in this profession doesn’t only come from silverware. It comes from connection.

The Role of Stability and Player Welfare

Roster turnover is a fact of life in the USL. Contracts tend to be short, and the incentives for clubs and players often don’t align for long-term commitments. Tommy acknowledges that this is improving, with more multi-year contracts now available. But there’s still a long way to go.

As the USL continues to evolve, especially with the announcement of a new Division I league and the planned implementation of promotion and relegation, the conversation around player welfare becomes even more urgent. From contract stability to minimum salary standards, there’s work to be done to ensure that growth benefits players as much as it benefits clubs and league stakeholders.

Tommy was clear about the fact that players are ready to support growth, but they need to be part of the conversation. The USL is not a single entity structure. There are players, clubs, and the league itself, all with different incentives. For real progress to happen, those interests need to be better aligned.

Looking Ahead

Now with Oakland Roots, Tommy is focused on building something special. He wants to help the club reach its potential on and off the field. With a top-tier facility, strong organizational values, and a community-driven brand, Oakland offers a unique opportunity.

But beyond individual goals, Tommy’s perspective is shaped by a broader sense of purpose. He’s still in love with the game. Still motivated by the challenge. Still passionate about using his platform to make the sport better for the next generation.

His message to young players is simple but powerful. Find an environment where you can grow. Fall in love with the process. And focus less on the name of the league or the club, and more on the habits you build every day.

That’s what separates the dreamers from the pros. And that’s the journey we’re here to share.