United States men’s national team defender Mark McKenzie was the target of racial abuse on social media after the team’s win over Mexico in the CONCACAF Nations League final Sunday in Denver, he revealed late Monday on Instagram.
McKenzie, who is Black, posted a screengrab of an offensive comment to an Instagram post and wrote, “The amount of racial abuse and personal attacks on myself and family from ‘supporters’ and ‘non supporters’ just ain’t it.”
On Wednesday, U.S. Soccer put out a statement addressing what happened to McKenzie, reiterating that it stands with its players.
“U.S. Soccer and the USMNT players want to be clear: If you make racist, homophobic, vulgar or disrespectful comments while hiding behind the anonymity of a social media, you are not a true fan. And you are not welcome. Ever.”
Making his fifth appearance for the senior national team, the 22-year-old McKenzie was involved in Mexico’s first goal and a penalty called against the U.S. His early turnover led to the first goal just over a minute into the game, and he was called for a handball in the box after a video review in extra time.
Backup goalkeeper Ethan Horvath saved Andrés Guardado’s ensuing penalty to preserve the win.
Sunday’s game at Empower Field at Mile High was marred by multiple fan incidents. Play was stopped for a few minutes in the second half when fans started an anti-gay chant. Additionally, several fans were ejected and five were arrested for trespassing and throwing projectiles on the field, the stadium said in a release.
When not with the USMNT, McKenzie plays for KRC Genk in Belgium.
