Riley O’Neill and Tyler Hughes have had their runs through the U.S. collegiate NCAA and pro soccer in Europe.

At this stage in their careers, they are content to act as mentors to the younger players on the Victoria Highlanders.

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The Highlanders open their 2014 USL Premier Development League season today at 2 p.m. at Royal Athletic Park against Vancouver Whitecaps U-23.

“We take our [mentorship] role seriously because we know how serious these younger players are about their soccer careers,” said the defender Hughes, who played pro in the USL and Sweden after an NCAA all-conference career which earned him induction into the Coastal Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.

“They have a fantastic opportunity to have so many great experiences through soccer,” added the 33-year-old.

The journey starts at RAP.

“I took on the [mentor] role as soon as I joined the team last season,” said 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup player O’Neill, a Campbell River product who starred in the NCAA with the University of Kentucky Wildcats before playing pro in the Finnish Premier League and German Second Division.

That has been codified further with the 28-year-old midfielder O’Neill taking on the role this season as a playing assistant coach under Highlanders head coach Steve Simonson.

“I give advice where I can,” said O’Neill, selected by the Colorado Rapids 36th overall in the 2007 MLS draft.

There are two other veteran building blocks on the Highlanders, who last season made the 2013 PDL Final Four after capturing the Northwest Division and Western Conference titles.

Import and former Plymouth Argyle and Swindon Town pro Blair Sturrock, the 32-year-old son of former Dundee United great and 20-time Scotland capped Paul Sturrock, returns for his second season with the club.

Former Canada U-17 and U-20 player Manny Gomez — who has played for pro teams in Argentina, Spain, Guatemala, Honduras and Hungary — returns to his hometown as a Highlanders newcomer.

The 27-year-old Gomez, however, is injured and will miss the first three weeks of the season.

Highlanders striker Cam Hundal, a quick 22-year-old from the UVic Vikes, is the sort of player who could gain from the kind of experience O’Neill, Hughes, Sturrock and Gomez bring.

“Soccer is the priority because now is the critical time for me for that.

“At the same time, school is important, but school you can always do,” said Hundal.

These Highlanders seem to have the right mix.

“With our veterans and our good young university players, we would give some pro teams a good run.

“We are a good team on paper,” said O’Neill.

“But there’s still a lot of work to be done. Talent alone won’t win a championship. You also need chemistry.”

It seems the veteran influence is trickling down and the younger Highlanders are proving quick learners.

“[A stacked roster] doesn’t mean anything. You still have to put it all together,” said Hundal.

cdheensaw@timescolonist.com