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Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia Union Sign Homegrown Defender Mark McKenzie

January 20, 2018 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Philadelphia Union News Release


CHESTER, Pa. - Philadelphia Union today announced that defender Mark McKenzie has signed as a Homegrown Player with the club's First Team. An 18-year-old centerback from Bear, Delaware, McKenzie becomes the eighth Homegrown Player in Union history.

On the Union's First Team, McKenzie joins fellow newcomer Matt Real as well as Derrick Jones, Auston Trusty and Anthony Fontana as active Homegrown Players. A product of the Union Academy, McKenzie played last season at Wake Forest University after making eight appearances for Bethlehem Steel FC as an amateur.

"We're delighted to have Mark begin his professional career by joining us as a Homegrown Player this season," said Union Sporting Director Earnie Stewart. "Mark is a promising centerback who made an impact for Wake Forest last year, a very good team at the collegiate level. It's special any time you sign a Homegrown, and Mark is no exception. In this case, he made a difficult decision to leave school to sign with us, and we don't take that lightly. We look forward to helping him with his development as he takes the next step with the Union."

Stewart, McKenzie, and Union Head Coach Jim Curtin, along with fellow Homegrown signing Matt Real, are set to be available in-person to members of the media to discuss the signing tomorrow, Friday, January 19, following the 2018 MLS SuperDraft at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (1101 Arch St, Philadelphia PA 19107). Availability is expected to be held at approximately 4:00 p.m. ET, pending the duration of the SuperDraft.

Members of the media interested in attending are encouraged to apply for MLS SuperDraft credentials at the link here, if not completed already, as well as RSVP with Ryan Schwepfinger and Matt Bodiford in order to receive timing and location updates within the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

McKenzie joins the Union after one season at Wake Forest University, where he appeared in 16 matches as a freshman in 2017, playing 685 minutes for a team that finished in fifth place in the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I final postseason rankings. He helped the school to a 19-2-2 record over his one year with the Demon Deacons.

Prior to joining Wake Forest, McKenzie starred for the Union Academy, making 26 starts over his final two years with the Under-18s. He also appeared for Steel FC eight times as an amateur (twice in 2016, six times in 2017). He played his club soccer for the Delaware Rush and the Wilmington Rangers before coming to the Union Academy.

Internationally, McKenzie recently returned from the inaugural United States Youth National Team Summit Camp in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, where he was with the United States Under-20 National Team. He previously played for the U-18s while also attending camps for the U-16s and U-15s.

TRANSACTION - Philadelphia Union sign defender Mark McKenzie as a Homegrown Player on January 18, 2018. Name: Mark McKenzie. Position: Defender. Height: 5'11". Weight: 185. Born: February 25, 1999 in the Bronx, NY. Hometown: Bear, DE. Citizenship: United States. Acquired: Signed by Philadelphia Union as a Homegrown Player on January 18, 2018.

ABOUT PHILADELPHIA UNION: Philadelphia was awarded the 16th Major League Soccer franchise on Feb. 28, 2008 and the Union were officially named on May 11, 2009. Owned and operated by Keystone Sports and Entertainment, LLC, the group launched the Philadelphia Union's inaugural season on March 25, 2010 and opened Talen Energy Stadium on June 27. Throughout the club's history, the Union have reached the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final in 2014 and 2015, and have also reached the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2011 and 2016. In 2018, Philadelphia Union will celebrate nine years of top-flight action at Talen Energy Stadium, a soccer-specific stadium that has hosted internationally known clubs Celtic, Chivas de Guadalajara, Everton, Schalke 04, Aston Villa, Pumas UNAM, Stoke City, Crystal Palace, AFC Bournemouth and Swansea City AFC.

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