Before the 2022 MLS season began, the league held its annual MLS SuperDraft, an opportunity for teams to sign the top collegiate players in the nation. Quite the American concept and something not seen in Europe, the SuperDraft has been the starting point for some of the finest MLS products in the league’s history. For FC Cincinnati fans, the 2022 Draft was a memorable one, producing USMNT talent in Indiana’s Roman Celentano and Duke’s Ian Murphy.
The third pick for the Orange and Blue in the 2022 Draft was a forward out of Northern Illinois University, Nick Markanich. Markanich was quickly put into the team’s starting lineup for the season opener, where FC Cincinnati lost 5-0 to expansion side Austin FC. As the season progressed, FC Cincinnati had two of the best forwards in all of MLS in their Starting XI and multiple MLS veterans on the bench. Brandon Vazquez emerged as an MLS Best XI and USMNT talent at the striker position, scoring a team-leading 18 goals.
Brenner, who recently got his transfer to Udinesse in Serie A, also matches Vazquez’s 18-goal mark. FC Cincinnati decided not to extend Markanich after the 2022 campaign, a season in which he split his 2022 season between FC Cincinnati and MLS NEXT Pro side FC Cincinnati 2.
Markanich trialed and signed with USL Championship side Charleston Battery ahead of the 2023 season and has dominated the competition ever since. In 17 matches, Markanich has 7 goals, good for the top 15 in all of the USL Championship… even while missing multiple matches due to injury.
Markanich has an incredibly unique perspective on professional soccer in the USA, as he’s been a collegiate, MLS, MLSNEXTPro, and USL Championship player in the span of a few years. I had a chance to sit down with the rising star ahead of Charleston’s match against Indy Eleven.
Q&A
Q: What has this season been like for you? How has adjusting to USL competition been?
A: “Yeah, I don’t think it’s been much of an adjustment at all. I’ve just been enjoying it a lot more and my teammates and the coaching staff have been very welcoming and I’ve just been enjoying playing soccer so I think that’s what’s been helping.”
Q: You’ve had the unique opportunity to play in MLS – how would you compare that level of play to what you’re experiencing in USL this season?
A: Obviously, MLS is a lot more competitive and a lot more better players and more money for their players, but it’s still very competitive here in the USL and they’re still making me better playing here.”
Q: You got to train and play aside some of the best MLS forwards – the likes of Brandon Vazquez, Brenner, Dom Badji, Sergio Santos, Quimi Ordonez. A loaded group. We’ve even seen a guy like Lucho Acosta play higher up as a forward this season in Cincinnati. What was that like last season… and do you think being around those guys has been a factor for your success in Charleston?
A: “Yeah for sure. Obviously Lucho, he’s a great player. I’ve always said that he’s one of the best players in the league. But yeah, Brandon (Vazquez) always gave me some advice on playing the same position as him and playing next to him a couple of times – he’s a great player too and I enjoyed playing with him. He’s always talking to me, helping me get better. The other guys on the team, Badji, Nick Hagglund too – they’re always great guys that always came up to me and talked about soccer and life – great people. They gave me confidence to do well at training and everything last year too.”
Q: Do you have someone you model your game after? If so, who?
A: “Not really, tbh. I didn’t really have a player like that.”
Q: MLS is attracting some big name superstars – namely one by the name of Lionel Messi. Is MLS a league you’re looking to make a return to in the future?
A: “Yeah for sure. I would love go back to the MLS. Still, it’s not a bad place to be in the USL, so I don’t mind it here. Like I said, the coaching staff and the players that I’m surrounded with (in Charleston) are great. But obviously, I would want to be back in the MLS and competing at the highest level.”
Q: You were a part of the 2022 MLS SuperDraft alongside your brother Anthony. What was that whole experience like?
A: “It was awesome. It was like a dream for my brother and I to get drafted and go to the MLS… we worked hard for it. It was an awesome feeling; it was unreal.”
Q: Speaking of Anthony, how has your relationship with you brother pushed you on and off the field? If you had the choice of playing against him or with him, which would you choose?
A: “We’ve been playing together for our whole lives. We got separated last year, but we always talk about… (how) we want to play together again and do it soon, maybe in the next couple years I can find a team with him and make something work. We have a great connection and chemistry on the field which always helps, so we love playing with each other and hopefully that’ll happen one day.”
Q: What’s your experience been like in Charleston so far, and who are the teammates you’ve gravitated towards this season?
A: “I think Charleston’s a great place. I love it here. My family wanted to move out here too when they came over and visited – they ended up falling in love with it. It’s a great area. I’d say Tristan (Trager) and Deklan (Wynne) are my boys on the team. Tristan, he’s my twin… but Deklan, he’s funny.”
Q: You came into Charleston on a trial. How was that whole experience like, starting as a trialist on day one to being on the team?
A: “I came in and everyone was very welcoming, they made it really easy for me. They made it enjoyable for me from the beginning. And obviously, the coaching staff were very welcoming and it all just worked out and I’m happy to be here.”
Rapid Fire Questions
Q: Favorite soccer moment?
A: “Favorite moment, I would say probably my senior year in college. We had a great year, a great team – and it was fun. We won our conference and made it to the national tournament, it was just a great year.”
Q: What’s your pregame routine? Pregame meal?
A: “My game days, if we’re home, I always just like to go for a walk, stretch out my legs.. but not much. I just like to go outside for like a 15 minute walk outside to get my legs loose. But that’s pretty much about it.”
Q: Follow up: pregame meal?
A: “I always make sure that for lunch, before my games, like a couple hours before I’ll just make some pasta. But that’s about it.”
Q: If you had to make a 5-a-side team with players you’ve played with, including yourself, what would that team look like?
A: “I’d probably put Roman (Celentano) in goal, put Matt (Miazga) back there, obviously Lucho (Acosta) and Alvaro (Barreal) – technical players in a 5-on-5. But there’s a lot of players I could choose.”
Q: Did you try Skyline while in Cincinnati? Graeter’s? What were your thoughts?
A: “No, I never tried it. I was too scared to try it… No, I’ve never had Graeter’s either.”
Q: Favorite away stadium at each professional league you’ve played at? (MLS, USL)
A: “For the MLS, I’d say Austin. That was my first (MLS) match and I thought they had a great atmosphere there and it was pretty cool to play there. For this year (USL), I’d say Sacramento (Republic FC) and Tampa (Bay Rowdies) have pretty nice stadiums.”
Q: What’s the main goal you’re after right now, personal or team based?
A: “The one for this year is winning the USL. I think that’s our main goal right now. Just, finishing the season strong and hopefully winning the whole thing. I think we’re in a good spot for it, and I think we have a great team, so it’s exciting.”
Special thanks to Ben Clemens and Nick Markanich for helping to make this interview possible. All photo credits from this article go to the Charleston Battery team.
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