Anthony Markanich Joins Minnesota United as the Defense's "Wild Card"

This recent move—acquiring Anthony Markanich from St. Louis CITY SC—has fans scratching their heads, wondering, "Is this really gonna work?"

Markanich, 24, is a left-back who’s already played for two MLS clubs—Colorado Rapids and more recently, St. Louis CITY SC. He’s not exactly a name that jumps off the page, or one that makes fans rush to grab the new jersey with his name on the back. But anyone who knows a bit about soccer gets that true impact doesn’t always come from the spotlight. Now, Minnesota United is betting on him to be a key piece of their defensive puzzle. But is the price paid, in terms of General Allocation Money (GAM), really worth it?

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In the MLS financial world, where teams have to juggle salary caps and budget restrictions, General Allocation Money is a precious currency. Basically, it’s a tool that lets clubs play with their finances to build a competitive roster. Minnesota shelled out $50k in GAM with the possibility of another $100k depending on certain conditions, plus St. Louis gets a cut of any future international transfer of Markanich.

Markanich hasn’t exactly been a headline-maker at his previous stops. His stint at St. Louis was pretty low-key, and he quickly found himself benched once Jannes Horn arrived. Even so, Minnesota United sees something in him, believing he’ll bring "flexibility and competition" to the left-back spot.

Markanich may not have established himself yet, but his ability to step into different scenarios on the left side could be just what Minnesota is after. The ability to plug gaps at crucial moments isn’t something you find in every player. That’s especially true in a league like MLS, where injuries, suspensions, and the sheer grind of a long season can turn a team’s plans into a chaotic puzzle.

Minnesota United finds itself in an interesting spot. They’re in desperate need of defensive consistency and a roster capable of competing at a high level. The coach and front office know this all too well, which is why they went after Markanich. They see something in him that others might not have noticed yet—or maybe they’re just grasping for solutions out of sheer necessity.

Minnesota United has made a calculated bet on Markanich, and only time will tell if it pays off. If Markanich manages to settle in and show his worth, that $150k in GAM will seem like a steal. If not, he’ll just be another name added to the long list of MLS players who came and went without leaving much of a mark.