“It was a great feeling, stepping on the field getting my first start,” Comox Valley's Liam Mackenzie said after his first game with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Mackenzie played with the team on March 22 against the Chicago Fire FC. Mackenzie was signed to the Vancouver Whitecaps FC for an MLS short-term agreement. This marks the first time this season that Mackenzie has been signed to an MLS short-term agreement, and his second overall after appearing in the July 27, 2024 international friendly versus Wrexham AFC at BC Place.
"There were a lot of nerves at first, for sure," Mackenzie said to media after the game. "It was a great moment."
The Whitecaps were defeated by Chicago, but it was still a major opportunity for the Comox player.
"I would have liked to get the win for the team, but it was great having my family there as well, lots of friends and family came over from the island," Mackenzie added.
The product of Comox, originally made his professional debut during the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro regular season campaign as an academy call-up, coming on as a substitute against St. Louis CITY SC on September 9, 2023. Mackenzie signed his first professional contract with WFC2 on April 9, 2024.
"I just take this experience, learn from it, watch it back and see what I can improve on," Mackenzie said. "Hopefully I can have more moments like this."
The score was 3 to 1 for Chicago. Full highlights are available on the Whitecaps Youtube page.
