USMNT star Mark McKenzie reveals he secretly married just days before getting ‘back to business’ at Copa America

SPORTS stars get ready for big events in their own way.

Defender Mark McKenzie certainly went down a pretty unusual route however, by getting married just days before the Copa America .

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He was asked by reporters if he’d been up to anything fun in the build-up to the tournament.

“Yeah, I got married,” he said.

“Apologies for the monotone in my voice, but yeah got married.

“Right back to business, you know. We have a couple of days and got to spend some time with the family and family I haven’t seen.

“Spend some time with my wife’s family and celebrate the union of two families coming together.

“It was special but ultimately my eyes are here with the guys as well.

“So switching back wasn’t really that hard for me.”

McKenzie didn’t feature against Colombia and Brazil earlier this month and is now extra keen to make an impression when he does play.

“I think we have a group of guys, we’re all hungry,” he said.

“We’re all competitive and every time we step into this environment.

“I think the expectations rise. We demand more of ourselves and it makes us demand more of each other, and at the end of the day, that’ll raise performances and raise the levels here.

“You step into a platform like Copa America and now you have a trophy on the line.

“Everyone realizes what we need to do. It’s about putting together quality performances each step of the way, and from there we just continue to grow as a group.”

McKenzie plays in Belgium for Genk. And the 25-year-old has been an international player with the United States since 2020.

It was special, but ultimately my eyes are here with the guys as well.

Mark McKenzie

The United States play their opening game of the Copa America against Bolivia on Saturday.

The game will take place in Arlington, Texas.

They will then face their next two group opponents, Panama and Uruguay.

The opening game of the tournament will see world champions Argentina play Canada on Thursday.

In many ways, this summer’s tournament will be seen as important preparation for the hosting of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the country.

It will be the first time the event has taken place in the country since 1994.