Mark McKenzie to leave Toulouse and return to MLS in January

Mark McKenzie is moving toward the end of his spell at Toulouse and a return to MLS. L’Équipe reports that the American defender, who joined in 2024 and has played 89 matches for the club across all competitions, is set to leave with January as the target month.

The story was already flagged by The Athletic in mid-August, and now the Toulouse hierarchy has added more certainty. As the club’s president said this Tuesday in a press conference, the deal is “in progress, but it will be finalized in January.”

Heading back to Philadelphia

The direction of travel is straightforward: McKenzie would go back to the league where he previously played, to sign with Philadelphia Union.

The 27-year-old has also earned 30 caps and featured in the World Cup, as the report details. With his experience and role in the Toulouse back line, his departure would be a notable change for the team.

Toulouse need a new center-back

From a squad-planning perspective, the move would force Toulouse to act in central defense. Sporting director Viktor Bezhani warned that if McKenzie leaves, the club would only have three center-backs left: Rasmus Nicolaisen, David Odogu and Seny Koumassa. That’s why he expects they will need to bring in a fourth option.

Bezhani also expressed confidence in the internal route for the future, hoping Koumassa can grow into “an important player” after this transition. For now, the key date remains January.