[bc_video video_id=”5710994088001″ account_id=”3690581442001″ player_id=”H1NR7MVXz”]
Mac Steeves came a long way, both physically and mentally, to ultimately arrive at the 2018 Major League Soccer Players Combine.
Two games into his senior campaign at Providence College, Steeves suffered a season-ending injury. Now, two years and more than 1,200 miles later, he’s showing off for MLS teams at a nearly week-long showcase in hopes of taking another step toward becoming a pro.
“It’s been a dream come true,” Steeves, 23, said. “Getting injured was definitely tough. But, to be able to put myself in a position to come back, give myself a chance to hopefully play professionally – it’s been a blessing, honestly. I can’t believe I’m here.”
Steeves recovered and returned to the college pitch as a redshirt senior in 2017. He led the team in goals (8) and points (19), earning a spot on the All-Big East First Team. While he didn’t miss a beat on the pitch, Steeves did miss playing with former teammate Julian Gressel, who was selected eighth overall by Atlanta United in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft and went on to be named MLS Rookie of the Year.
“It was definitely upsetting. Going into your senior year, you definitely don’t want to get injured and miss out on it,” Steeves said. “Also missed out on playing the final season with Julian, which was definitely tough… I mean, moving forward, [the injury] definitely made me stronger as a player, stronger as a person, too – made me work 10 times harder than I had to, you know?”
Like a lot of children, Steeves had aspirations to play professionally, but he didn’t realized he had the potential and the talent to make it until he got to Providence College.
In the 2014 NCAA tournament, the Friars made it all the way to the final four but lost 3-2 in double overtime to UCLA. Steeves, then a sophomore, had two goals against the Bruins and finished as just one of four players to score three or more goals in the tournament. He also finished the year as team leader in points (26) and goals (11) and led the Big East in goals per game (0.5).
“I think my sophomore year, going to the final four, solidified that, you know, I can play at this level and I can show what I can do,” Steeved said. “And hopefully a team will give me a chance, you know?”
Providence College coach Craig Stewart said in a 2015 interview with NBC Sports that Steeves is a “Modern day No. 9, where he’s obviously a physical presence with a lot of other qualities. In terms of professionals, he’s like [Bosnian forward] Edin Dzeko.”
Stewart also compared Steeves to former Newcastle target forward Alan Shearer.
But Steeves isn’t just a talented goal-scorer, he’s also an avid reader. His most recent read was Randy Pausch’s “The Last Lecture.” It’s about achieving childhood dreams.
When the first round of the 2018 MLS SuperDraft takes place on Friday, Steeves could begin a new chapter.