By: Battery Media
The Charleston Battery announced Thursday the signing of forward Nick Markanich (Mar-CANE-ick) to the 2023 roster, pending league and federation approval. The former FC Cincinnati striker becomes the 22nd member of the roster.
Markanich, 23, began the preseason with the Battery on trial and immediately impressed the coaching staff. The 6-1 forward scored a brace in the friendly against Coastal Carolina University and also featured in the following match against MLS side Charlotte FC.
“I'm grateful to join the club and I'm very excited for this new journey, I can't wait for the season to start,” said Markanich. “Everyone has been very welcoming since I arrived here, from the coaching staff to the players, they're all great people to be around. I'm happy to play alongside them throughout the season.”
A native of Bourbonnais, Ill., Markanich was drafted 30th overall in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft by FC Cincinnati and was later signed by the club. He featured in 11 matches for FCC and also played with FC Cincinnati 2, scoring four goals and adding two assists in 15 games.
The forward is capable of playing in a central attacking role and out wide. Head Coach Ben Pirmann liked what he saw in Markanich's game.
“Nick is a threat around the goal and he has an instinct to finish plays that can't be taught,” said Coach Pirmann. “Nick showed us how tough of a competitor he is and his willingness to do whatever it takes for that team to succeed. He has soft feet and a good balance between finding his teammates and looking for the goal.
“Nick is another player in our group that is about the collective; he wants to win and compete, and has the desire to push the whole squad forward.”
Before going pro, Markanich had a standout career at Northern Illinois University. He was the top scorer in the NCAA in 2021, with 16 goals and five assists, while earning subsequently All-America honors. Markanich was named the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year in 2020 and 2021. A three-time first-team All-MAC honoree, he tallied 39 goals and nine assists in 69 career matches for the Huskies.
Markanich comes from a footballing family as his twin brother, Anthony, played alongside him at NIU and is currently a defender for the Colorado Rapids. He is also of Filipino descent via his family.
Nick is ready to get started at Patriots Point.
“I'm definitely looking forward to being able to play in front of our home crowd and be able to play for a great club here in Charleston,” said Markanich.
2023 Roster
Goalkeepers: Danny Fischer, Daniel Kuzemka, Trey Muse
Defenders: Leland Archer, AJ Cochran, Derek Dodson, Benji Ettienne, Juan Sebastián Palma, AJ Paterson, Deklan Wynne
Midfielders: Chris Allan, Fidel Barajas, Andrew Booth, Handwalla Bwana, Robbie Crawford, Avionne Flanagan, Joe Schmidt, Emilio Ycaza
Forwards: Aidan Apodaca, Nick Markanich, Tristan Trager, Augustine Williams
