Anthony Markanich's career has been one of changes, grit, and determination. From the pitches of suburban Chicago, to Northern Illinois University, to MLS Next Pro and multiple clubs in Major League Soccer. The 26 year olds career has seen him go from a first round draft pick to being traded twice, with less money coming into the club each time. But since joining Minnesota United he became a regular starter in 2025 followed a breakout season in 2026.
"When I found out [about All Star selection] I was just screaming in joy. It was an awesome feeling to see, congrats you're an All Star," Markanich said about his selection.
In high school Markanich was a standout player for Bradley-Bourbonnais Community HS and his 40 goal and 14 assist performance as Senior got him named to the IHSSCA All-State alongside brother Nick in 2017. BBCHS finished in third place at the 2017 Class 3A Illinois State High School Soccer Tournament that same season. While in high school he also spent time playing for the Chicago Fire Academy, helping set himself up for Division 1 college soccer.
Markanich didn't have to go far for university as he skipped over to the west of Chicago and joined the Huskies of Northern Illinois University. From the jump at NIU Markanich was a key player and performer for the Huskies. In four seasons he played 67 games, starting every single one and scored 17 goals and tallied 23 assists. All four years at university Markanich was named to an All-MAC team, with three of those coming on the first team. During his senior season the Huskies also took the MAC regular season & tournament titles earning a spot in the Division I Men's Soccer tournament. The Huskies season ended with a second round loss to Pittsburgh.
For two summers while at NIU both Anthony and his brother Nick, who was the first player signed by the club, headed up to Wisconsin to play for the Green Bay Voyageurs in USL League Two. The Voyageurs two seasons were wrought with challenges as they finished in 4th and 5th in the Heartland Division in 2019 and 2021 respectively.
Shortly after his senior season at NIU he was selected 26th overall in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft by the Colorado Rapids and that is where his career took a turn. In his first season in Commerce City he started off with a few matches for Next Pro side Colorado Rapids 2, where he would play for the most of the season, racking up 13 appearances wtih Rapids 2.
Markanich's made his first team debut for the Rapids on 12 May at Allianz Field in St. Paul in a US Open Cup match that saw the Loons win 2-1 and Markanich go the full 90 minutes. That was one of just four first team appearances he made during his rookie season in Colorado.
His second season in Colorado, Markanich made 13 appearances for the Rapids first team, with most of those appearances coming before the end of May and another seven for Rapids 2 in Next Pro. Then, on 1 August, the first of two trades in his career happened when Colorado sent him to St. Louis City for $75K in GAM and a first-round draft pick.
"In St. Louis they had a great soccer community," the winger said about his favourite part of the Gateway City.
For the rest of 2023 the winger became a regular player for St. Louis City, either starting or coming off the bench for the club during almost every match for the rest of 2022. Following up regular starts in 2023, St. Louis had Markanich as a primary starter during the first few months of the season. After being sent off against LAFC in mid-May that rapidly changed. Markanich went on to make only seven more appearances for City in the following 17 matches, including not seeing the pitch during the entire Leagues Cup.
Shortly after City's run in the Leagues Cup ended, Markanich was traded for the second time in just over a year. This time to MNUFC for just $50K in guaranteed GAM. With his third club in just two years the Illinois native made just four appearances for the Loons along with three for the second team. That massively changed the following season as Markanich cemented himself as a regular starter for the Loons in his first full season with the club. Out of 45 matches the club played that season he made 41 appearances and scored nine goals on the campaign.
"I'm so comfortable here now. Everybody has a lot of trust in me, which I love and I think it helps as a player," Markanich told us. He spoke about the move to Minnesota saying "It's one of the reasons I am in the position I am right now, because they were so helpful."
2026 was a breakout season for the 26 year old Illinois native with four goals scored before the summer break across 19 appearances in all competitions. His early season efforts saw him named to the MLS All Star First Eleven for the All Star Game against Liga MX in late July, his first trip to the event. With an outstanding 2025 and even better start to 2026 Anthony Markanich has secured a place for years to come after having been traded twice in twelve months.
"It was a great break, got married, first ballot on the All Star. So it was a great break."
You can watch our full interview with Anthony Markanich below.
