When Nick Holliday finally heard the news, years of training, sacrifices and unwavering belief suddenly became real. Within minutes, the young goalkeeper was opening a group FaceTime with his parents, hoping one of them would answer. Before he knew it, he was headed to represent the United States Under-17 National Team and fulfill a childhood dream.
For Holliday, the call-up represented years of hard work, encouragement from family and coaches, and the opportunity to wear a uniform that young players dream of.
“It’s every kid’s dream to represent your country,” Holliday said. “I worked really hard and I had a lot of people supporting me throughout my life. They always told me I could do it and I believed in myself, but obviously you never truly know how good it feels until you’re actually in that moment. I was really excited and was proud of all the work I put in, and all the work that people around me put in for me to be able to get to where I was.”
Holliday frequently acknowledges the amount of people that supported him throughout his soccer journey, giving much of the credit to his childhood goalkeeper coach Mike McGinty. McGinty, a former MLS goalkeeper who made appearances for the Columbus Crew, Chicago Fire and D.C. United, joined the coaching staff at North Carolina FC in 2020, where he first saw Holliday's potential. Having also coached within the U.S. Youth National Team system, McGinty had the privilege of informing Holliday about his call-up and sharing the milestone with his former player.
“He was the first one to really tell me when I got the opportunity,” Holliday said. “He was always a real role model and mentor for me growing up. I also knew that he had influence in the national team pool, so for him to stick a hand out to me and say ‘I think this guy has potential’, is something that I was really grateful for.”
Holliday also found inspiration in former United States National Team players as he developed his game. One goalkeeper, in particular, stood above the rest: Tim Howard. The Hall of Fame goalkeeper built one of the most memorable careers in U.S. soccer history, and Holliday has long admired Howard's accomplishments. He hopes to mirror the skill and confidence that made Howard one of the nation's greatest goalkeepers as he continues to progress.
His time with the national team gave Holliday the opportunity to train alongside some of the best young players in the country. Americans competing professionally across the world came together to represent their country, and for Holliday, it was a unique experience that left a lasting impression. The camp not only helped him develop as a player, but also changed the way he viewed the sport. While many players can become overwhelmed by the magnitude of the moment, Holliday learned that maintaining a level perspective is just as important as making the next save.
“At the end of the day, it's just soccer. I feel like we can make it out to be this player plays for this team or this guy has this accolade, but at the end of the day when you're inside the white
lines you’re just kicking a ball, and you’re all just out there having fun playing a kids sport. Nothing is as serious as it seems to be,” Holliday said.
The chance to represent his country brought a different level of pride to Holliday’s experience. One thing that he never forgot: how lucky he was to be there. As one of just 40 players selected from across the country, he understood he wasn't only living out his own dream, but one shared by countless young players hoping to do the same.
While every moment with the national team was memorable, the friendships he built may have left the greatest impact. Some of those relationships continue today, with Holliday now facing former teammates during his MLS NEXT Pro campaign with Carolina Core FC. One player he notes is Inter Miami CF II defender Tyler Hall, who he now has the chance to compete against throughout the season.
“You meet so many people across soccer, so there are guys that I played with in that camp that I am still close with,” Holliday said. “Guys that you only know for a week or two, but I built a lifelong bond and I can always call if I ever need anything.”
Holliday is known for his consistency on the field, but shares that the trait extends beyond his time between the posts. His pre-game meal hasn’t changed in years: chicken, rice, and broccoli. It's a simple routine that gives him everything he needs before putting on his gloves.
As the World Cup remains in full swing, Holliday is proudly behind his home country. He will not only support the United States through every tension-filled game, but believes they have what it takes to lift the trophy when the tournament concludes.
