Mark
McKenzie

  • Position Defender
  • Number 4
  • Date of Birth Feb 25 1999
  • Hometown Bear, DE
  • Height 6' 0"
  • Club KRC Genk (Belgium)

NATIONAL TEAM HIGHLIGHTS

  • Started both the semifinal and final of the 2021 Concacaf Nations League final four, helping the USA win the inaugural edition of the competition.
  • Registered his first career assist on Daryl Dike’s goal in the 4-0 win against Costa Rica on June 9, 2021 in Sandy, Utah.
  • Made his USMNT debut coming off the bench during the 1-0 win against Costa Rica on Feb. 1, 2020 in Carson, Calif.
  • Helped the USA win the 2018 Concacaf U-20 Championship and was part of the U.S. squad at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland where he played in three matches as the team advanced to the quarterfinals.

 

2022 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFYING

  • Was part of the matchday squad for 11 of the 14 qualifiers.
  • Earned two appearances, starting at Honduras on Sept. 8 and at Panama on Oct. 10, 2021.

 

CLUB HIGHLIGHTS

  • In the midst of his third season with Belgian First Division A side, Genk, where he has appeared in more than 50 matches across all competitions.
  • During his first half season with Genk, helped the club to the 2020-21 Belgian Cup and a second-place finish in the league.
  • Signed a Homegrown contract with Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union in January 2018, where he made 48 league appearances over three seasons and helped the club lift the MLS Supporters Shield in 2020.
  • Was named to the 2020 MLS Best XI and was a finalist for MLS Defender of the Year that season.
  • Prior to joining the Philadelphia Union first team, featured for the club’s USL affiliate Bethlehem Steel from 2016-2019.
  • Played for the Philadelphia Union Academy from 2015-16 before one season of collegiate soccer at Wake Forest in 2017.

 

PERSONAL

  • Born in Bronx, N.Y. to Mark and Lynette McKenzie.
  • Has one sister named Madi.
  • Father is originally from Jamaica, which also made Mark eligible to represent the Reggae Boyz
  • Grew up in Bear, Delaware, making him the first player from “The First State” to make a USMNT World Cup roster.
  • Made the original the suggestion for the USMNT’s “Be The Change” mantra
  • Co-hosts the “Orange Slices” podcast with former USMNT defender Heath Pearce and has an interest in broadcasting after his playing career is over.