It had to be him, didn’t it? The highest-scoring defender in the entire world — you know the one. Yes, Anthony Markanich got himself back on the scoresheet last night, grabbing the go-ahead goal in the 32nd minute and stealing all three points from Dallas. A vintage performance from MNUFC’s left wingback. 

In a match that saw the Loons’ creative engines smothered by Dallas’ high press, it was the overloads provided by Markanich and Kyle Duncan that gave the visitors the advantage they needed in key moments, including the most important moment of the game. After a quick passing sequence down the left side of the field got Owen Gene to the end line, the midfielder settled the ball, nutmegged his defender, and found the run of Markanich at the top of the six-yard box. Though Ant’s initial shot was saved, he followed through to put away the rebound, sealing the win.

With this strike, Markanich is up to two league goals and one assist in 2026, making him the second-leading scorer for the Black and Blue. His natural instincts and ability to read the flow of the game continue to make him a standout player in MLS, and with another busy week of soccer ahead, his services will be invaluable against a pair of Western Conference powerhouses.

TOTM 9

F: Tai Baribo (DC), Nicolás Fernández Mercau (NYC), Preston Judd (SJ)

M: Martín Ojeda (ORL), Rodrigo De Paul (MIA), Ronald Donkor (RBNY), Jorge Ruvalcaba (RBNY)

D: Anthony Markanich (MIN), Mamadou Fofana (NE), Paul Marie (SJ)

GK: Matt Turner (NE)

Coach: Guillermo Hoyos (MIA)

Bench: Luka Gavran (TOR), Lucas Herrington (COL), Taha Habroune (CLB), José Cifuentes (TOR), Luis Otávio (ORL), Aliyu Ibrahim (HOU), Agustín Ojeda (NYC), Kévin Denkey (TOR), Timo Werner (SJ)