Mark McKenzie nominated for U.S. Soccer young player of the year

Philadelphia Union defender Mark McKenzie can add U.S. Soccer Young Player of the Year nominee to his list of impressive achievements this season.

The 19-year-old center back from Bear, Delaware has already been a finalist for MLS Rookie of the Year and recently was named to the Best XI for the CONCACAF U20 championship after helping anchor a defense that conceded only twice in eight games. He also scored three goals and had an assist in the tournament and made nine appearances for head coach Tab Ramos in 2018.

The Philadelphia Union Academy grad and former Wake Forest defender joins United States U20 teammates Alex Mendez and Ulysses Llañez, who both came through the LA Galaxy Academy, former NYCFC Academy midfielder Gio Reyna and Sporting Kansas City homegrown Tyler Freeman on the list of nominees.

The female finalists are Tierna Davidson, Maya Doms, Sophia Jones and Allyson Sentnor. The winners will be announced next week.

Josh Sargent and Sophia Smith won the award last year. Hershey, Pa. native Christian Pulisic won the award in 2016 and Philadelphia native Bobby Convey was the recipient in 2002.