Mark-Anthony Kaye


Mark-Anthony Kaye is a Canadian soccer player who currently plays as a midfielder for Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer. He has a brother who plays football as a wide receiver on the Holland Hurricanes.

Early years

Personal

Kaye was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and first began playing soccer with Wexford SC in Scarborough. He would attend High School at Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute where he would play soccer, Cross country, and track and field. Twice being named MVP of his soccer team.

College and youth

Kaye played two years of college soccer at York University between 2012 and 2013. During his college career he would play in 29 matches and score 18 goals. He would named OUA rookie of the year after his Freshman season and to the CIS all-Canadian second-team and the OUA first-team as a Sophomore. York would win the OUA championship during his final season.
Kaye would leave York and join TFC Academy, the academy side of Major League Soccer's Toronto FC in 2013. In 2014, he played in League1 Ontario with the senior academy team appearing in nine matches and scoring one goal.

Club career

Wilmington Hammerheads (loan)

2014 season

Kaye joined the Wilmington Hammerheads of the USL Pro on loan from TFC Academy in August 2014 as part of an affiliation between the two clubs. He made his professional debut on August 23, 2014 in a league match against Orange County Blues FC. The next day, Kaye tallied his first professional goal and assist as Wilmington drew 3-3 with LA Galaxy II. In total, Kaye appeared in 7 matches and tallied 2 goals and 2 assists during his loan with the Hammerheads.

Toronto FC II

2015 season

On March 12, 2015 Kaye and seven other players were signed by USL side Toronto FC II ahead of their inaugural season. He made his debut against the Charleston Battery on March 21 and would appear in 22 matches without a goal.

Louisville City

2016 season

On January 13, 2016 Kaye would sign with USL side Louisville City FC and he would make his season debut in the opening match on March 26 against Charlotte. He would go on to play in 24 of Louisville's 28 regular season matches scoring one goal with three assists. He also played in two of Louisville's three USL Cup matches going goalless. He did, however, score in the penalty shootout in the Eastern Conference Finals match against New York Red Bulls II. A match New York would go on to win.

2017 season

Kaye would miss the first two matches of the 2017 season while on international duty and would make his season debut on April 8 against Richmond. He would on to play in 19 of Louisville's 32 regular season matches scoring four goals. He also played in both of Louisville's U.S. Open Cup matches; scoring once against the Tartan Devils. In the USL Cup playoffs Kaye would start all four matches as he and Louisville would go on to win the USL Cup Final against Swope Park.

Los Angeles FC

After two seasons in Louisville, Kaye would be transferred to MLS side Los Angeles FC for their inaugural season. He would make his LAFC debut against the Seattle Sounders during the 2018 season opener. On July 26, 2018, Kaye suffered a fractured foot in the El Tráfico rivalry game against the LA Galaxy, with coach Bob Bradley saying he'd need surgery, with LAFC setting no timetable for his return; NBC Sports reported that the injury would sideline the player for "4-6 months".

International career

In May 2016, Kaye was called to Canada's U23 national team for a pair of friendlies against Guyana and Grenada. He saw action in both matches. In March 2017 Kaye was called up again to the U23 side for the Aspire Tournament which also featured the hosts Qatar and Uzbekistan.
Kaye made his debut for the senior team against Curaçao in a friendly on June 13, 2017. On June 27, he was named to Canada's squad for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
He was named to the squad for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup on May 20, 2019.

Style of play

During his time at Louisville, Kaye played as an "attacking midfielder and winger", however following his ascension into MLS, he assumed a "box-to-box central midfield role, one that he's thriving in"; he also performed this role on international duty with Canada. LAFC coach Bob Bradley said of Kaye: "He brings a little bit more range, a little bit more ability to get around the ball, a little bit of an ability to close down, win some balls in air, get into the box in both sides. All those things make him a little bit different". During his time with Toronto FC II, Kaye was frequently used at left back.

Career statistics

Club

International

Honours

Club

Toronto FC III
Louisville City
Los Angeles FC