{"id":12453,"date":"2026-06-17T08:01:09","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T12:01:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/?post_type=news&p=12453"},"modified":"2026-06-17T11:12:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T15:12:13","slug":"mark-mckenzie","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/news\/mark-mckenzie\/","title":{"rendered":"Mark McKenzie: the USMNT’s ball-playing center-back at World Cup 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mark McKenzie<\/strong> is a ball-playing center-back in the USMNT squad, a composed defender now testing himself in Ligue 1 with Toulouse. A Philadelphia Union academy product, McKenzie offers head coach Mauricio Pochettino<\/a> calmness on the ball and defensive depth at a home World Cup.<\/p>\n

From Philadelphia to Toulouse<\/h2>\n

McKenzie broke through at the Philadelphia Union before a move to Genk in Belgium, and he has since stepped up to Toulouse in France’s Ligue 1, establishing himself in one of Europe’s stronger leagues. The table below covers his main club spells in our database.<\/p>\n

Club<\/th>Apps<\/th>Tackles won<\/th>Interceptions<\/th>Clearances<\/th>Aerial duels won<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Philadelphia Union<\/strong><\/td>57<\/td>43<\/td>54<\/td>125<\/td>72<\/td><\/tr>
Genk<\/strong><\/td>12<\/td>4<\/td>11<\/td>15<\/td>9<\/td><\/tr>
Toulouse<\/strong><\/td>61<\/td>61<\/td>46<\/td>236<\/td>83<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n

What the numbers say<\/h2>\n

McKenzie’s record is that of a steady, aerially capable center-back. He has made 236 clearances and won 83 aerial duels at Toulouse alone, adding interceptions and tackles across his spells. His real calling card is composure in possession, the kind of defender who starts attacks rather than just clearing his lines, which fits how the United States want to play out from the back.<\/p>\n

Mark McKenzie and the USMNT<\/h2>\n

For the United States, McKenzie is center-back depth behind Chris Richards<\/a> and Tim Ream<\/a>, a ball-playing option who suits Pochettino’s possession style. See where he fits in our USMNT roster<\/a> guide.<\/p>\n

USA 4-1 Paraguay and what is next<\/h2>\n

McKenzie was part of the squad but did not feature in the 4-1 win over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium, with Richards and Ream the starting pair. Read the full USA vs Paraguay player ratings<\/a>. Next up is Australia in Seattle on June 19. Planning to go? See our World Cup 2026 tickets<\/a> guide. For the bigger picture, see our World Cup 2026<\/a> hub and the latest World Cup 2026 winner odds<\/a>, with more at U.S. Soccer<\/a>. Must be 21+ and present in a state where betting is legal. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.<\/p>\n\n\n

Mark McKenzie by the advanced numbers<\/h2>\n

McKenzie’s Ligue 1 reliability stands out once the rates are broken down. At Toulouse he has won 61 of his 97 attempted tackles, a success rate close to 63 percent, while his 236 clearances across 4,924 minutes work out at roughly 4.3 per 90. Those are the numbers of a defender holding his own in one of Europe’s tougher leagues.<\/p>\n

He is solid in his individual battles too, winning 213 of 379 ground duels (around 56 percent) and 83 of 152 aerials for the French side, and he blocked 31 shots. The composure the profile highlights comes with genuine defensive substance behind it, not just tidy passing.<\/p>\n\n\n

Who is Mark McKenzie?<\/strong>

Mark McKenzie is an American center-back for Toulouse in France’s Ligue 1 and a squad option for the USMNT. A ball-playing defender, he came through the Philadelphia Union before moving to Europe.<\/p><\/div>

What clubs has Mark McKenzie played for?<\/strong>

McKenzie came through the Philadelphia Union, moved to Genk in Belgium, and now plays for Toulouse in Ligue 1.<\/p><\/div>

What position does Mark McKenzie play?<\/strong>

He is a ball-playing center-back, comfortable defending and bringing the ball out from the back, valued for his composure and passing.<\/p><\/div>

Did Mark McKenzie play in the World Cup opener?<\/strong>

No. McKenzie was part of the squad but did not feature in the 4-1 win over Paraguay, with Chris Richards and Tim Ream starting at center-back.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Mark McKenzie is a ball-playing center-back in the USMNT squad. A look at the Toulouse defender’s stats, career and his role at the World Cup 2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3588,"featured_media":12457,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"Mark McKenzie","_yoast_wpseo_title":"Mark McKenzie: USMNT Defender Profile | Squawka","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Mark McKenzie is a ball-playing center-back in the USMNT squad. 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