Mark McKenzie (soccer, born 1999)

Last updated

Mark McKenzie
Mark McKenzie Philadelphia Union 2019.jpg
McKenzie with the Philadelphia Union in 2019
Personal information
Full name Mark Alexander McKenzie [1]
Date of birth (1999-02-25) February 25, 1999 (age 25)
Place of birth The Bronx, New York, United States [2]
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.84 m) [3]
Position(s) Center-back
Team information
Current team
 Toulouse
Number 3
Youth career
2015–2016 Philadelphia Union
College career
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2017 Wake Forest Demon Deacons 16 (0)
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2016–2019 Bethlehem Steel 17 (0)
2018–2020 Philadelphia Union 48 (2)
2021–2024 Genk 104 (4)
2024– Toulouse 5 (0)
International career‡
2017 United States U18 5 (0)
2018–2019 United States U20 12 (3)
2019 United States U23 3 (0)
2020– United States 16 (0)
Medal record
Representing Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Men's soccer
CONCACAF Nations League
Winner 2021 United States
Winner 2024 United States
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 5, 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of November 14, 2024

Mark Alexander McKenzie (born February 25, 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays as center-back for Ligue 1 club Toulouse and the United States national team.

Contents

Youth and college soccer

Growing up in Bear, Delaware, McKenzie began playing club soccer for Delaware Rush and Wilmington Rangers before being brought into the Philadelphia Union Academy. [4] He is of Jamaican descent through his father. [5] McKenzie played college soccer at Wake Forest University starting in 2017, joining his academy teammates Matthew Real and Joseph DeZart. [6] McKenzie made his first start for the Deacons as a freshman against Clemson University. [7] He registered 16 appearances and 5 starts for the Deacons. [8]

Professional career

Bethlehem Steel

McKenzie's performance in the academy ranks earned him call-ups to the Bethlehem Steel FC roster, the Union's USL team. He made his professional debut against New York Red Bulls II in June 2016. [9] Over two seasons, McKenzie made 8 appearances for the Steel as an amateur player. [4]

Philadelphia Union

On January 18, 2018, McKenzie signed a homegrown player contract with Major League Soccer side Philadelphia Union. [4] [10] He made 20 appearances his rookie season with the Union, mostly starting alongside fellow homegrown centerback, Auston Trusty. [11] McKenzie's appearances and performance on the backline earned him a nomination for the 2018 MLS Rookie of the Year Award. [12]

After losing his starting spot in the first team during the first half of the 2019 season, he reentered the line-up establishing himself as an initiator of attacks as a left-sided centerback. [13] He retained his starting role through the 2020 season, earning accolades along the way. By mid-season, he made the Best XI for the MLS is Back Tournament. [14] McKenzie's first professional goal for the Union was a long-range equalizer against D.C. United in October 2020. [15] McKenzie finished the season with two goals and three assists from 22 matches, contributing to the Union's first trophy in the 2020 Supporters' Shield. His performances named him to the MLS Best XI and nominated for the 2020 Defender of the Year (finishing second in the voting). [16] [17]

Genk

On January 7, 2021, McKenzie joined Belgian First Division A side Genk, signing a four-and-a-half-year deal. [18] McKenzie made his debut for Genk on January 24, starting in a 2–3 loss against Club Brugge. [19] He finished his first season making 16 appearances in all competitions and helped Genk win the Belgian Cup. [20]

Toulouse

On August 16, 2024, McKenzie signed with Toulouse in France. [21]

International career

McKenzie spent time in the US development ranks, being called into under-15 and under-16 camps. In 2017, McKenzie was called into the United States under-18s for the Slovakia Cup. [22] He made 7 appearances for the team in 2017. [4] His performances earned him 2016–17 Conference Best XI honors for the US Development Academy Eastern Conference under-18s. [23] [24]

McKenzie received a call-up to the United States under-20 squad to compete in the 2018 CONCACAF U-20 Championship. McKenzie scored 3 goals during the qualifying group stages and captained the team in a 7–0 victory against Suriname. [25] Mark was named Captain of the under-20 squad. [26] On December 20, 2018, McKenzie received his first senior call up for a friendly against Panama. [27]

On February 1, 2020, McKenzie earned his first senior cap for the national team as a substitute in a friendly match against Costa Rica. [28]

McKenzie earned his World Cup qualifying debut in September 2021, starting in a 1–4 comeback win at Honduras. [29]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played October 5, 2024 [30]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cup [a] ContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Bethlehem Steel FC 2016 USL 30———30
2017 60———60
2018 20———20
2019 60———60
Total170———170
Philadelphia Union 2018 MLS 19030—1 [b] 0230
2019 7010—2 [b] 0100
2020 22 [c] 2——4 [d] 0262
Total48240—70592
Genk 2020–21 Belgian Pro League 13030——160
2021–22 220203 [e] 01 [f] 0280
2022–23 36430——394
2023–24 3202010 [g] 1—441
2024–25 10———10
Total1044100131101285
Toulouse 2024–25 Ligue 1 5000——50
Career total1746130131802087
  1. ↑ Includes U.S. Open Cup and Belgian Cup
  2. 1 2 Appearance(s) in MLS Cup Playoffs
  3. ↑ Includes three appearances in MLS is Back Tournament group stage
  4. ↑ Three appearances in MLS is Back Tournament knockout stage, one appearance in MLS Cup Playoffs
  5. ↑ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  6. ↑ Appearance in Belgian Super Cup
  7. ↑ Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League, six appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa Conference League

International

As of match played November 14, 2024 [31]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
United States 202020
202160
202220
202330
202430
Total160

Honors

Philadelphia Union

Genk

United States U20

United States

Individual

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andre Blake</span> Jamaican footballer (born 1990)

Andre Jason Blake is a Jamaican professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer and captains the Jamaica national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John McCarthy (soccer)</span> American soccer player (b. 1992)

John Joseph McCarthy III is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Morris</span> American soccer player (born 1994)

Jordan Perry Morris is an American professional soccer player who plays as a winger or forward for Major League Soccer club Seattle Sounders FC and the United States national team. He grew up on Mercer Island, Washington and joined the Sounders youth academy before playing college soccer at Stanford University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jakob Glesnes</span> Norwegian footballer (born 1994)

Jakob Glesnes is a Norwegian professional footballer who plays as a defender for the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Fontana</span> American soccer player

Anthony Fontana is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Eredivisie club PEC Zwolle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paxton Pomykal</span> American soccer player

Paxton Jones Pomykal is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Major League Soccer club FC Dallas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Elliott (footballer)</span> English footballer (born 1995)

Jack Stuart Elliott is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jesús Ferreira</span> Professional soccer player (born 2000)

Jesús David Ferreira Castro is a professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Major League Soccer club FC Dallas. Born in Colombia, he represents the United States national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brenden Aaronson</span> American soccer player (born 2000)

Brenden Russell Aaronson is an American professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for EFL Championship club Leeds United and the United States national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Sands</span> American soccer player

James Hoban Sands is an American professional soccer player who plays as a center-back or defensive midfielder for Major League Soccer club New York City FC. He became NYCFC's first homegrown player in July 2017.

Samuel Marqus Lloyd Vines is an American professional soccer player who plays as a left-back for Major League Soccer club Colorado Rapids.

Benjamin Stanley "Benji" Michel is an American professional soccer player who plays as a winger for Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake.

Matthew Andrew Geary Freese is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club New York City FC.

The 2020 Philadelphia Union season was the club's eleventh season in Major League Soccer, the top flight of American soccer. The team was managed by Jim Curtin, his seventh season with the club. The Union's season began on February 29, 2020, and was scheduled on end in October or November 2020, depending on their regular season performance. On March 12, 2020, MLS suspended the season due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Originally planned to be a 30-day suspension, the league remained suspended until July 9, 2020, when competition resumed with the MLS is Back Tournament. The tournament ran through August 11, 2020, with the remainder of the season, under a truncated format, continued through November 8, 2020.

Jack Ryan McGlynn is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer and the United States national team.

Quinn Krippendorff Sullivan is an American professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Major League Soccer club Philadelphia Union.

Paxten Reid Aaronson is an American professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Eredivisie club Utrecht, on loan from Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt, and the United States national team.

The 2021 Philadelphia Union season was the club's twelfth season in Major League Soccer, the top flight of American soccer. The team is managed by Jim Curtin, his eighth season with the club. The club's regular season began on April 7, 2021, with the CONCACAF Champions League, and then on April 17, 2021, with MLS play, and ended on November 7, 2021, a month-delayed start due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Outside of MLS, the Union, by winning the 2020 Supporters' Shield, is competing in their first ever CONCACAF Champions League.

References

  1. ↑ "FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019: List of Players: USA" (PDF). FIFA. June 13, 2019. p. 24. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 6, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Mark McKenzie | MLS Profile". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  3. ↑ "Mark McKenzie". KRC Genk. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Philadelphia Union Sign Homegrown Defender Mark McKenzie". Philadelphia Union. January 18, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  5. ↑ "USMNT vs. Jamaica: For Mark McKenzie, 'it's all love' if his father roots for underdog Reggae Boyz Thursday". CBSSports.com. October 7, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Another Union Academy defender commits to Wake Forest". Brotherly Game. December 11, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  7. ↑ John Dell (November 14, 2017). "McKenzie making the most of his chance to play for Deacons". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Mark McKenzie | Wake Forest Profile". Wake Forest Sports. Archived from the original on January 21, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Bethlehem Steel FC Fall 1–0 to New York Red Bulls II". Bethlehem Steel FC. June 5, 2016. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
  10. ↑ Alicia Rodriguez (January 18, 2018). "Philadelphia Union sign defender Mark McKenzie to Homegrown contract". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  11. ↑ Jonathan Tannenwald (October 26, 2018). "Union's Mark McKenzie, a Bronx native, set to play biggest game of his career at Yankee Stadium against New York City FC". philly.com. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  12. ↑ Matthew Ralph (October 31, 2018). "Mark McKenzie lone finalist for MLS year-end awards". Brotherly Game. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
  13. ↑ Adam Cann (January 7, 2021). "McKenzie's growth has him ready for Europe". PhiladelphiaUnion.com. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  14. 1 2 "MLS is Back Tournament Best XI presented by BODYARMOR". MLSsoccer.com. August 13, 2020. Archived from the original on February 17, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  15. ↑ Ian Nicholas Quillen (October 14, 2020). "DC United 2, Philadelphia Union 2 | 2020 MLS Match Recap". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  16. 1 2 "2020 MLS Best XI presented by Home Depot". MLSsoccer.com. November 20, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  17. ↑ "McKenzie finishes runner-up for MLS Defender Of The Year". PhiladelphiaUnion.com. November 18, 2020. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  18. ↑ "'We got him!': welkom Mark McKenzie" (in Dutch). K.R.C. Genk. January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Former Philadelphia Union teammates Brenden Aaronson, Mark McKenzie make European league debuts". MLSsoccer.com. January 24, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  20. ↑ Larry Henry Jr. (April 25, 2021). "Mark McKenzie comes off bench to help Genk win Belgium Cup Final". SBIsoccer.com. Retrieved June 5, 2021.
  21. ↑ "Mark McKenzie rejoint le TéFéCé" [Mark McKenzie joined the TéFéC's] (in French). Toulouse FC. August 16, 2024. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Mark McKenzie named to United States U18 roster for Slovakia Cup". Brotherly Game. April 18, 2017. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  23. ↑ "2016–2017 Development Academy End-of-Year Awards". U.S. Soccer Development Academy. July 13, 2017. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  24. ↑ "Mark McKenzie & Brenden Aaronson make Development Academy Best XIs". Brotherly Game. July 14, 2017. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  25. ↑ "USA clinches spot in CONCACAF U-20 Championship Qualification stage with 7–0 win vs. Suriname". U.S. Soccer. November 9, 2018. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  26. ↑ "Mark McKenzie named Captain of U-20 US Squad". chasingacup.com. November 9, 2018. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Berhalter Calls 27 Players to Chula Vista For U.S. MNT's 2019 January Camp". www.ussoccer.com.
  28. ↑ Jonathan Tannenwald (February 4, 2020). "Jim Curtin lauds Brenden Aaronson and Mark McKenzie after Union duo's USMNT debuts". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  29. ↑ Nancy Armour (September 8, 2021). "Ricardo Pepi starts for United States men's national soccer team in World Cup qualifier vs. Honduras". USA TODAY. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
  30. ↑ "M. McKenzie". Soccerway.
  31. ↑ Mark McKenzie at National-Football-Teams.com
  32. ↑ "Philadelphia Union win 2020 MLS Supporters' Shield on regular season's final day". Major League Soccer. November 8, 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  33. ↑ "Onuachu with an assist as Genk clinch Belgian Cup title after Standard Liege win". Goal. April 26, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  34. ↑ "Christian Pulisic, Ethan Horvath lead U.S. over Mexico in Nations League final". ESPN . June 6, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  35. ↑ "Adams Reyna on target as United States complete three peat". CONCACAF. March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.