| Anthony Markanich | |
| Full Name: | Anthony Charles Markanich Jr.[1] |
| Birth Date: | 26 December 1999 |
| Birth Place: | Bourbonnais, Illinois, United States |
| Height: | [2] |
| Position: | Defender |
| Currentclub: | Minnesota United |
| Youthyears1: | 2015–2016 |
| Youthclubs1: | Chicago Fire |
| Youthyears2: | 2017–2018 |
| Youthclubs2: | Olympiacos Chicago |
| Collegeyears1: | 2018–2021 |
| College1: | Northern Illinois Huskies |
| Collegecaps1: | 67 |
| Collegegoals1: | 17 |
| Years1: | 2019–2021 |
| Clubs1: | Green Bay Voyageurs |
| Caps1: | 12 |
| Goals1: | 3 |
| Years2: | 2022–2023 |
| Clubs2: | Colorado Rapids |
| Caps2: | 13 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Years3: | 2022–2023 |
| Clubs3: | Colorado Rapids 2 |
| Caps3: | 19 |
| Goals3: | 0 |
| Years4: | 2023–2024 |
| Clubs4: | St. Louis City SC |
| Caps4: | 29 |
| Goals4: | 1 |
| Years5: | 2024 |
| Clubs5: | St. Louis City 2 |
| Caps5: | 1 |
| Goals5: | 0 |
| Years6: | 2024– |
| Clubs6: | Minnesota United |
| Caps6: | 0 |
| Goals6: | 0 |
| Club-Update: | August 15, 2024 |
}}Anthony Charles Markanich Jr. (born December 26, 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays for Major League Soccer club Minnesota United.
Markanich attended Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School, where he scored 40 goals and had 14 assists as a senior in 2017, helping the Boilermakers to a third-place finish in the Illinois 3A State Tournament while earning all-state honors. Markanich also played club soccer for Chicago Fire between 2015 and 2016, making 24 appearances. He later played with Olympiacos Chicago, who won the US Club Soccer 2018 U19 Super Group National Championship.[3]
In 2018, Markanich attended Northern Illinois University to play college soccer. In four seasons with the Huskies, Markanich made 67 appearances, scoring 17 goals and tallying 24 assists. He was a three-time First Team All-MAC honoree and a four-time All-MAC honoree. His 24 career assists are tied for second all-time in program history while his 58 total points were ninth best in NIU history.[3]
While at college, Markanich played with USL League Two side Green Bay Voyageurs between 2019 and 2021, without the 2020 season been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, he made twelve appearances, scoring three goals and tallying three assists.[4] [5]
On January 11, 2022, Markanich was drafted 26th overall in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft by Colorado Rapids.[6] He signed a one-year deal with the Rapids on March 3, 2022.[7] He made his first-team debut on May 22, 2022, starting in a 1–0 win over Seattle Sounders FC.[8]
On August 1, 2023, Markanich was traded to St. Louis City SC in exchange for $75,000 in 2023 General Allocation Money and St. Louis' 2024 1st round MLS SuperDraft pick with an additional $75,000 in 2024 if conditional incentives are reached.[9]
Markanich was traded to Minnesota United on August 15, 2024 in exchange for $50,000 in 2024 General Allocation Money, with another $100,000 in General Allocation Money depending on meeting certain performance related requirements.[10]
In March 2024, Markanich was reportedly one of the players being recruited by head coach Tom Saintfiet and team manager Freddy Gonzalez to play for the Philippines.[11]
Markanich has a twin brother, Nick Markanich, who also plays professional soccer, most recently playing with Charleston Battery.[12]