Mark McKenzie’s transition from the Union to Europe has been quietly successful

The U.S. men’s soccer team has wrapped up two final preparation matches in Europe against Japan and Saudi Arabia as they prepare for the FIFA World Cup this November. Amidst the tumult from a tough loss and mediocre draw, it was nevertheless an opportunity for Mark Mckenzie as one of two former Philadelphia Union members on the national team.

The centerback said considered it a “big blessing” to represent Philadelphia at the highest levels. “It’s huge being able to showcase Philly’s talent; we can really develop players at a high level.”

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McKenzie graduated to football, as soccer is called there, in Europe alongside fellow academy talent Brenden Aaronson in January 2021. The pair departed Philadelphia after helping the Union secure their first ever trophy, the 2020 Supporters’ Shield. McKenzie, who mentioned he keeps in contact with “B” [Aaronson] regularly, also told me he’d been watching Philly’s incredible 2022 season from Belgium, where he features for K.R.C. Genk. He has been hoping this is the year Philly gets a second trophy and believes they just might do it.

“It’s a six hour time difference, so it’s not easy sometimes. But I try to at least watch the [Union] highlights. Even on the days when I have an early match, sometimes I’m able to stay up a little bit later and watch their games live.”

McKenzie and Aaronson probably are the most well-known, but not the only Union homegrowns to make the big move to Europe or to feature prominently with the U.S. national team program. They likely won’t be the last, either. Union homegrowns Paxten Aaronson, Jack McGlynn, Quinn Sullivan, and Brandan Craig have all made marks with the U.S. under-20 squad, helping return the U.S. to Olympic competition. They’re linked to bright futures at home and abroad.

“Philly, we’re now really producing and showing that our youth academy has quality coming out at different levels,” Mark said. “We can do it domestically or internationally, whether it’s for the national team or for the club team.”

Reflecting on the success of the Union’s academy and top-ranked MLS squad, McKenzie feels a lot can be attributed to manager Jim Curtin.

“He’s one of those guys who doesn’t say a whole lot,” McKenzie said. “But when he does, you listen. He has words of wisdom that come in bunches. He doesn’t scream out on the pitch, but he will pull you aside and let you know.

And he added: “Ultimately he gives you the trust to go out there and play your game. I think that’s something that I really appreciate about him. He prepares his players and trusts us to go out on the weekend to really fight and show what Philly tough is.”

Thinking about how his time in Philadelphia prepared him for Europe, Mark said Curtin has been a big, big, big help in my career. Big ups to Coach Curtin.”

Life in Belgium is good. Since making his debut in the Belgian Pro League on January 24, 2021, McKenzie has battled myriad ups and downs to work his way into a starting spot.

“Last season was frustrating,” McKenzie said. I was in the team, I was out of the team, I was on the pitch, I was off the pitch.”

McKenzie took this past summer to focus on the present. “I’m feeling like myself again”, he adds. His character, determination, and talent got him through the tough times to now.

“It wasn’t easy,” he said. “I think ultimately it was just about taking it one day at a time. As footballers, we can sometimes get ahead of ourselves and think about the long term. But I really focused on the season, on being present, being in the moment, understanding my role and going out each and every day in training sessions to show why I should be on the pitch.”

McKenzie has played the full 90 for Genk their past six matches, presumably secure in his spot. He’s excited for the rest of the season: “We’re second in the league right now, and we’ve been on a good roll. I think that’ll be important to kind of kick things off the right way coming out of this international break, getting back into the rhythm we were on before.”

Yet he still cheers on his former Union teammates from afar.

“It’s been fun to see the journey of the team; how it’s grown, how it developed and matured over the season. We’re seeing the young guys contribute. We’re seeing guys I played with really start to implement our style and impose ourselves on other teams. It’s been really enjoyable to see the team do so well. I’m hoping and pulling for them as they move into this playoff period. Hopefully they can bring another trophy back.”

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His closeness to the Union is evident in his response to what he misses about Philadelphia.

“I miss family. And that’s extensive, it includes the club family, but also my personal family too,” McKenzie said, adding, “I also miss the little things, like the passion and the fire from the fans. I miss them as well... And yeah, I miss the food, too. That’s the big one.”