Soccer alumni join Swedish pro team

Paul Tracy, former co-captain, graduated in 2012. Photo: Steve Woltmann

Two men’s soccer alumni signed professional contracts this month with the Swedish-based club Ljungskile SK.

Pat McMahon, a 2009 UIC grad, joins Paul Tracy, class of 2012, on the Division 1 team based in Ljungskile, Sweden. The club plays its home matches at Skarsjovallen, an 8,000-seat facility with a natural grass surface.

Another former Flame, First-Team All-American Baggio Husidic, stars for Hammarby, a Swedish club based in Stockholm.

McMahon has been playing professionally in Australia for the last two seasons.

He competed for the Flames from 2005 to 2008, anchoring a defensive unit rated as one of the nation’s best. He started every game at UIC and holds the program record with 85 consecutive starts.

Pat McMahon, class of 2009, signed with a Swedish pro club. Photo: Steve Woltmann

A member of the All-Horizon League Tournament Team as a senior, he helped guide UIC to the NCAA quarterfinals in 2007.

Tracy played in 34 matches for the Flames during the 2010 and 2011 seasons, garnering Second-Team All-Horizon League accolades as a senior. A transfer from Bradley, he was co-captain in 2011.

Both graduated with bachelor’s degrees in business.