Whether they’re pursuing a professional soccer contract, training for the upcoming collegiate season, or returning to the field after graduation, players join Decatur FC in the summer for various reasons.
This Women’s Professional Soccer League (WPSL) is mostly made up of college soccer stars, but the team also includes a few college graduates like Smith Cathey from Georgia Southern University and Sydnie Thibodaux from Auburn University.
Thibodaux is using Decatur FC as a springboard to get to the next level. After helping lead the Auburn Tigers to the NCAA tournament in November, Thibodaux was looking for a way to continue playing competitively. She considered playing for a team in her home state of Texas, but opted for Decatur FC because of the level of play and experience.
“The teams in Texas just aren’t as good,” Thibodaux said. “I knew a couple of teammates who played for Decatur, and they said they enjoyed it, and that it was great soccer. It was a good environment for me to join, especially just trying to keep up to play professionally later.”
This is Cathey’s first season playing for Decatur FC. When she started after graduation, she had similar ambitions to Thibodaux.
“Earlier in the spring when I was still in college, I really wanted to play pro,” Cathey said. “I told [Decatur FC Coach] Campbell [Chapman] I would play for Decatur because I know that he has a lot of connections, and the team did really well last year. I would be practicing and playing with really good players, and I thought it would be good to go from that to playing pro.”
But soon after graduating from Georgia Southern earlier this year, things changed. Cathey accepted a job in medical sales in Florida and made the decision not to pursue professional soccer. Still, she is grateful to play one last season at a competitive level with Decatur FC.
“It was a place for me to go and just enjoy the sport and have more time to play soccer, which is what I love,” Cathey said. “I have nothing but good things to say.”
Decatur FC’s roster brings together players of many different ages and ambitions. Some of the players, like Cathey, are recent college graduates who are stepping away from soccer. Others, like Thibodaux, are using the team to prepare for professional play. But the majority of the players are currently playing collegiate D1 soccer at a variety of different schools and playing for Decatur FC when they are off in the summer.
“I enjoy playing with people from all different backgrounds, because we all have one thing in common in soccer,” Cathey said. “I think it’s beneficial to play with different people than you are used to so you can be challenged in new ways.”
Thibodaux echoed Cathey’s sentiment that playing with others from different backgrounds has helped her grow.
“You meet new people and hear about their experiences at different colleges. Honestly, I think it is great,” Thibodaux said. “It is a different kind of exposure and you just get to meet new people and make a lot more connections than you had before, which is very important. It also gives you a new perspective.”
While Decatur FC may be more relaxed compared to college soccer, there is still a high level of play and great support.
“At Auburn, we had so much preparation before a game, like film sessions and scout practices, and we’d have to show up hours early,” Thibodaux said. “With Decatur we just have to show up an hour and a half before each game. It’s less stressful, but still competitive.”
Both Thibodaux and Cathey were struck by the fan support and game-day experience of Decatur FC.
“The environment and community of Decatur FC was a lot bigger than I expected,” Thibodaux said. “It makes it more enjoyable for us because we feel like we have something to play for and it makes it more exciting. It feels like a college game again.”
Decatur FC plays their final game of the season on June 27 at Decatur High School against Chattanooga FC, hoping to end the summer with an undefeated record. The team’s consistent strong play and supportive atmosphere has made this experience memorable for the players.
“Almost every Friday, we’re playing in front of a really large and supportive crowd,” Cathey said. “It makes playing for Decatur FC really fun.”
Whether players are preparing for a professional career, gearing up for their collegiate season, or just getting one more chance to play, Decatur FC offers a competitive, yet supportive, environment that keeps them playing the game they love.
