{{short description|American professional soccer player (born 1991)}} thumb|Adam McCabe, in 2016
'''Adam McCabe''' (born 14 October 1991) is an American professional soccer player who plays for Georgia Revolution of the National Premier Soccer League. McCabe was nominated as the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year for the club.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://georgiarevolutionfc.com/2016/08/11/player-of-the-year/|title=2016 PLAYERS OF THE YEAR – Georgia Revolution FC|access-date=2017-06-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414091612/http://georgiarevolutionfc.com/2016/08/11/player-of-the-year/|archive-date=2018-04-14|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== Club career ==
=== Youth career === McCabe grew up playing soccer in his hometown of Tallahassee, Florida with Tallahassee United Futbol Club and for Concorde Fire Soccer Club based out of Atlanta, Georgia. McCabe attended Maclay College Preparatory School and helped the school reach back to back Class 2A FHSAA Final Four appearances.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2009-02-19/sports/hsorangewood19_1_orangewood-maclay-mccabe|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120000755/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2009-02-19/sports/hsorangewood19_1_orangewood-maclay-mccabe|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 20, 2015|title=Orangewood Christian falls short again in state soccer|work=tribunedigital-orlandosentinel|access-date=2017-06-12|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tampabay.com/hometeam/blog/2a-state-boys-soccer-tampa-prep-gets-date-defending-state-champ/4383/|title=Florida high school sports|website=www.tampabay.com|access-date=2017-06-12}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> He attended Vassar College and had a successful Freshman Season with the Men's Soccer Team during the 2010–2011 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vassarathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2171|title=Adam McCabe - 2010 Men's Soccer|access-date=2017-06-12}}</ref>
=== RIASA and Bradford City A.F.C. === McCabe left the United States to go to Europe in pursuit of a professional contract. He first traveled to Leeds, England to join the Richmond International Academic and Soccer Academy. While at the academy, McCabe primarily played for Eccheshill United Football Club. McCabe was an important figure in leading the club to secure its first ever e West Riding County Cup against Harrogate Town F.C.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.harrogatetownafc.com/news/129-latest-news/match-reports/season-2013-2014/1987-eccleshill-united-wrcc|title=Eccleshill United (WRCC)|last=Press|first=HFC|website=www.harrogatetownafc.com|language=en-gb|access-date=2017-06-22}}</ref> That same season, McCabe was nominated as the Eccheshill United Player of the Year as well as RIASA's Player's Player of the Year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://riasa.org/blog?hid=2188|title=Richmond International Academic & Soccer Academy|website=riasa.org|access-date=2017-06-22}}</ref> McCabe's performance impressed Academy Director, Mark Ellis, and McCabe was invited on a week trial with Sporting de Charleroi in Belgium.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.riasa.org/blog?hid=611|title=Richmond International Academic & Soccer Academy|website=www.riasa.org|access-date=2017-06-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/international-academic-soccer-academy-england.1491337/page-5|title=International Academic & Soccer Academy (England)|work=BigSoccer Forum|access-date=2017-06-22|language=en-US}}</ref> McCabe's continued success caught the eye of Bradford City A.F.C. coaches, and he was invited to play with the club's Reserve Team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.riasa.org/blog?hid=601|title=Richmond International Academic & Soccer Academy|website=www.riasa.org|access-date=2017-06-22}}</ref> McCabe played in and out of the Bradford City A.F.C. Reserve Team until the club pulled out of the Central League. Following the 2012 season, McCabe was invited to play with the Bradford City A.F.C. newly formed U-21 squad.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.riasa.org/blog?hid=1371|title=Richmond International Academic & Soccer Academy|website=www.riasa.org|access-date=2017-06-22}}</ref> In 2015, Bradford City A.F.C. entered the Final Third Development League, in which McCabe played for the Bradford City A.F.C. U-21 squad.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.riasa.org/blog?hid=2351|title=Richmond International Academic & Soccer Academy|website=www.riasa.org|access-date=2017-06-22}}</ref> Throughout his time with RIASA and Bradford City A.F.C., McCabe was able to play against high-level clubs and academies such as AFC Ajax, Hull City FC, Blackburn Rovers F.C., and Real Sociedad.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.riasa.org/blog?hid=1591|title=Richmond International Academic & Soccer Academy|website=www.riasa.org|access-date=2017-06-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.riasa.org/blog?hid=2160|title=Richmond International Academic & Soccer Academy|website=www.riasa.org|access-date=2017-06-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.riasa.org/blog?hid=281|title=Richmond International Academic & Soccer Academy|website=www.riasa.org|access-date=2017-06-22}}</ref> Despite developing during his time in England, McCabe's hopes of playing professionally were stopped due to the American not being eligible for a work permit.
=== Thailand === After leaving the United Kingdom, McCabe traveled to Thailand in order to pursue opportunities with interested clubs. McCabe spent five months playing in Thailand, most notably playing with Bangkok Christian College FC and Kamphaengphet FC.
=== Slovakia === McCabe eventually left Thailand to find more substantial playing opportunities in Slovakia. McCabe landed with 2. Liga club, FK Pohronie, playing with the team for five months. McCabe left the club after preseason, citing that difficulties being "diagnosed with a chronic illness, depression, and an injury" forced him to take a break from soccer and return home to Atlanta, Georgia.<ref name=":0" />
=== Georgia Revolution === McCabe is currently in his second season with Georgia Revolution FC of the National Premier Soccer League. In 2016, McCabe was nominated as the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year for the club.<ref name=":1" />
== Personal life == McCabe is the son of Timothy and Shelley McCabe. He has one younger brother, Austin.
In January 2016, McCabe announced that he is gay. Meanwhiler.me and Outsports covered his coming out story, as a closeted soccer player at the professional level.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.meanwhiler.me/2016/12/14/an-ex-professional-football-player-out/|title=An ex-professional football player 'out'|access-date=2017-07-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610081136/http://www.meanwhiler.me/2016/12/14/an-ex-professional-football-player-out/|archive-date=2017-06-10}}</ref> Following these inaugural stories, McCabe received attention from both the United Kingdom and United States of America sporting press. McCabe interviewed with Sky Sports and RTE2, discussing his experiences as a closeted professional athlete and his hopes for progress in the sporting industry.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11096/10758093/a-gay-footballers-story-adam-mccabe-on-homophobia-mental-health-and-falling-in-love-with-soccer-all-over-again|title=A gay footballer's story: Adam McCabe on homophobia, mental health, and falling in love with soccer all over again|work=Sky Sports|access-date=2017-07-03|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Game On Adam McCabe|url=https://soundcloud.com/rte2fm/game-on-adam-mccabe-1|language=en|accessdate=2017-07-03}}</ref>
McCabe has been interviewed and featured commentary in two books. ''Off to College: A Guide for Parents'', by Roger Martin, showcases McCabe's experiences and successes at Vassar College. ''We're Queer and We Should Be Here'', by Darryl Telles, covers McCabe's experiences playing football in the United Kingdom and his encounters with homophobia.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Telles |first=Darryl |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0Ck2DwAAQBAJ&q=%22adam+mccabe%22&pg=PT205 |title=We're Queer And We Should Be Here: The perils and pleasures of being a gay football fan |date=2017-09-15 |publisher=Mereo Books, mereobook, mereobooks |isbn=978-1-86151-829-3 |language=en}}</ref>
In 2017, McCabe was interviewed and featured in stories by ''The Georgia Voice'' and ''Atlanta Magazine''. Both publications covered his experiences as a closeted soccer player and his advocacy in the LGBTQ and sporting communities.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/atlantas-guardians-football-club-brings-together-players-around-world/|title=Atlanta's Guardians Football Club brings together players from around the world|date=2017-03-27|work=Atlanta Magazine|access-date=2017-07-03|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thegavoice.com/catching-georgia-revolution-soccer-player-adam-mccabe/|title=Catching Up ... with Georgia Revolution soccer player Adam McCabe|date=2017-04-27|work=Georgia Voice - Gay & LGBT Atlanta News|access-date=2017-07-03|language=en-US}}</ref>
In April 2017, McCabe became the first patron of the Bradford City A.F.C. LGBTQ Fan group. McCabe simultaneously became an ambassador for Kick It Out. {{cn|date=January 2025}}
Following Atlanta United FC's inaugural match, McCabe wrote an article about the homophobic language displayed during the match. His article gained domestic and international attention, eventually being published on DirtySoccerSouth,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Dirty South Soccer |date=2017-04-28 |title=The Atlanta United experience; An LGBTQ fans' perspective |url=https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2017/4/28/15464094/adam-mccabe-atlanta-united-puto-chant-lgbtq |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=Dirty South Soccer |language=en}}</ref> HuffPost,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-05-01 |title=The Atlanta United FC experience; An LGBTQ fans' perspective |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-atlanta-united-fc-experience-an-lgbtq-fans-perspective_b_59079f8fe4b084f59b49fbc8 |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}</ref> Outsports,<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCabe |first=Adam |date=2017-04-27 |title=A gay soccer player talks about his Atlanta United match experiences |url=https://www.outsports.com/2017/4/27/15466094/atlanta-united-gay-pride-adam-mccabe |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=Outsports |language=en}}</ref> Gay4Soccer, The Georgia Voice,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Outspoken |first=Adam McCabe |title=Adam McCabe: Atlanta United, homophobia and the beautiful game |url=https://thegavoice.com/sports/adam-mccabe-atlanta-united-homophobia-beautiful-game/ |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=Georgia Voice - Gay & LGBT Atlanta News |language=en-US}}</ref> and Football365.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stead |first=Matthew |date=2017-04-29 |title=Atlanta are United in the fight against homophobia |url=https://www.football365.com/news/f365-says-atlanta-are-united-in-the-fight-against-homophobia |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=Football365 |language=en}}</ref>
In May 2017, McCabe began working with Kat Craig, founder of Athlead, a consultancy agency helping professional athletes use their platform to connect with advocacy work. McCabe co-authored an article in HuffPost about soccer and LGBTQ rights.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/kat-craig/football-unlikely-ally-fo_b_16667144.html |title=Football - Unlikely Ally For LGBTQI Rights? | website=HuffPost |language=en-GB| date=17 May 2017}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:McCabe, Adam}} Category:1991 births Category:American men's soccer players Category:American gay sportsmen Category:Georgia Revolution FC players Category:Living people Category:Vassar College alumni Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:LGBTQ people from Florida Category:Bradford City A.F.C. players Category:RIASA players Category:American LGBTQ soccer players Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England