NOTRE DAME, Ind. – University of Notre Dame men’s soccer midfielder Tommy McCabe has joined the ranks of Irish standouts to be drafted into MLS. McCabe was selected as the 29th overall pick (second round) by FC Cincinnati on Friday at the 2019 MLS SuperDraft in Chicago, Illinois.
The selection of McCabe extended the total number of Notre Dame MLS picks to 36 in program history (first selection came in 1997), including 23 players that have been chosen during the draft’s opening two rounds (10 in the first round). McCabe is the first Irish player to be selected by FC Cincinnati, as the club prepares to enter its inaugural MLS season in 2019.
ND➡️CIN
With the 29th pick in the @MLS draft @fccincinnati selected Tommy McCabe! Congrats @tmccabe98 and best of luck to your professional career!#GoIrish pic.twitter.com/Yqae2DFYMd
— ND Men’s Soccer (@NDMenSoccer) January 11, 2019
The midfielder was a field general from his defensive midfielder position for Notre Dame over his three seasons with the Irish. McCabe started 20 matches and earned caps in all 21 matches in the 2018 campaign. McCabe was a major contributor in the defensive efforts for the Irish, helping the team to nine clean sheets and 17 matches of allowing just one or no goals. McCabe also recorded two assists in 2018, including the final ball to Jack Lynn in the final seconds of the first overtime against Virginia in the NCAA Round of 16.
McCabe finishes his Irish career with 61 appearances over the course of three seasons at Notre Dame. The holding midfielder recorded four assists and helped the Irish reach the NCAA Championships in all three seasons.
Notre Dame All-Time MLS Draft Selections (since 1997)
2019 SuperDraft
Tommy McCabe (M)
FC Cincinnati – Second Round – 29th overall selection
2018 SuperDraft
Jon Gallagher (F)
Atlanta United FC – First Round – 14th overall selection
2017 SuperDraft
Brandon Aubrey (D)
Toronto FC – First Round – 21st overall selection
2016 SuperDraft
Max Lachowecki (D)
Real Salt Lake – Second Round – 25th overall selection
Patrick Hodan (M)
San Jose Earthquakes – Second Round – 28th overall selection
Vince Cicciarelli (F)
Columbus Crew – Third Round – 60th overall selection
2015 SuperDraft
Nick Besler (M)
Portland Timbers – First Round – 5th overall selection
2014 SuperDraft
Grant Van De Casteele (D)
Colorado Rapids – First Round – 19th overall selection
Harrison Shipp (F)
Was not drafted because he signed with the Chicago Fire as a Homegrown Player
2013 SuperDraft
Ryan Finley (F)
Columbus Crew – First Round – 9th overall selection
Dillon Powers (M)
Colorado Rapids – First Round – 11th overall selection
2013 Supplemental Draft
Adam Mena (M)
Vancouver Whitecaps – First Round – 10th overall selection
Michael Rose (M)
Vancouver Whitecaps – First Round – 11th overall selection
2012 SuperDraft
Aaron Maund (D)
Toronto FC – First Round – 12th overall selection
Brendan King (M)
Portland Timbers -Second Round – 27th overall selection
2012 Supplemental Draft
Greg Klazura (D)
Vancouver Whitecaps – Second Round – 21st overall selection
2011 SuperDraft
Jeb Brovsky (F/M)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC – Second Round – 19th overall selection
Bilal Duckett (D)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC -Third Round – 37th overall selection
Steven Perry (F)
New England Revolution – Third Round – 39th overall selection
2011 Supplemental Draft
Philip Tuttle (G)
San Jose Earthquakes – Second Round – 33rd overall selection
2010 SuperDraft
Bright Dike (F)
Columbus Crew – First Round – 12th overall selection
Michael Thomas (M)
San Jose Earthquakes – Second Round – 19th overall selection
Justin Morrow (D)
San Jose Earthquakes – Second Round – 28th overall selection
2009 SuperDraft
Matt Besler (D)
Kansas City Wizards – First Round – 8th overall selection
Jack Traynor (D)
New York Red Bulls – Second Round – 29th overall selection
2008 SuperDraft
Ryan Miller (D)
Columbus Crew – Third Round – 31st overall selection
Joseph Lapira (F)
Toronto FC – Third Round – 35th overall selection
2007 SuperDraft
Greg Dalby (M)
Colorado Rapids – Second Round – 17th overall selection
Nate Norman (M)
Chicago Fire – Second Round – 21st overall selection
2005 SuperDraft
Jack Stewart (D)
Chicago Fire – First Round – 10th overall selection
Kevin Goldthwaite (M/D)
San Jose Earthquake – Second Round – 17th overall selection
Chris Sawyer (G)
Kansas City Wizards – Second Round – 24th overall selection
2004 SuperDraft
Kevin Richards (D)
Colorado Rapids – Fourth Round – 35th overall selection
Justin Detter (M/F)
Kansas City Wizards – Fifth Round – 47th overall selection
1999 Supplemental Draft
Ryan Turner (F)
Kansas City – Second Round – 14th overall selection
1997 Supplemental Draft
Dan Stebbins (F)
Dallas – First Round – 4th overall selection