It’s been a momentous 2-0 start to the year for Philadelphia Union players, fans, and staff alike, but it’s been especially exciting for 20-year-old South African centerback Olwethu Makhanya, as he’s earned both his Union debut and two MLS starts.
Makhanya is one of six Union players that was on the pitch for every minute of their pair of wins against Orlando City and FC Cincinnati.
As part of the team's new-look back line, he helped hold those opponents to just three total goals, while the Union’s high-powered attack hit the back of the net four times in each game.
The young defender has come a long way from his signing day to earning a starting spot on the first team, and the chance he’s been given is one he isn't taking for granted.
“It's an opportunity that I've been working really hard for and praying for. So now that it's happening, I feel really blessed, and I’m trying to make sure that I use it," Makhanya said.
Makhanya joined the Union midway through the 2023 season, but for a teenager, moving more than 8000 miles and an ocean away from South Africa to the United States was no easy feat.
Understandably, it took some time to adjust to a new country, new city, and new club, but by 2024, he started to find his footing on the MLS NEXT Pro stage with Union II, playing 1935 minutes over 22 starts. He finished the season with an 80.2% pass accuracy, one goal, and the invaluable experience that was Union II’s playoff run and championship appearance.
“Obviously, getting that game time for the second team helped me to understand the team a little bit more. All of the younger guys that are playing in the first team had to play in the second team, so that helped me to understand the culture of the team a little bit,” Makhanya said,
“Also, I built the confidence that if I'm able to do good in the second team, then obviously I can just learn and keep growing ‘till I can play in the first team.”
His patience and positivity paid off in dividends.
During the offseason, the Union parted ways with long-time center back Jack Elliott, and his transfer to Chicago Fire came fourth months after the club moved on from Damion Lowe, another starting-caliber player in that position.
Their departures left the spot next to Jakob Glesnes vacant and open for the taking, and by the time the team’s 2025 preseason preparations began in Marbella, Spain Makhanya was eager to prove his readiness.
“I was really excited. During preseason, something was telling me that I might get a chance. I was trying to prepare myself mentally because I was really excited about the possibility, but also had to keep myself focused,” Makhanya said.
"I don't want to lie, being patient was the tough part, because I saw it happening for all the younger guys that I played with. They were all getting a chance, and I was just like asking myself, ‘When is my time coming?' I just had to stay positive. If I saw one of the guys getting a chance, I would take it as a positive message. If they can get a chance, it's actually possible. I just have to wait for my own time. I've been just trying really hard to stay positive and try to grow from game to game.”
At long last, he got the nod from new Head Coach Bradley Carnell, and for the first time in his Union career, Makhanya saw his name listed in the team's Starting XI for their season-opener against Orlando City.
It was an opportunity he’d been eyeing since his arrival, and in the days and hours leading up to the first kick, his excitement was palpable. A 4-2 win later, it stayed the same for the home opener, which was an experience he said was like none he’d ever had before.
"Oh...the home opener. Wow, that game was fun. I don't want to lie, it was,” Makhanya said.
“I really enjoyed the stadium. It was so packed and the crowd was with us. I mean, it was really fun. It was something I’ve never experienced before, I've never played in the stadium fully packed like that. So it was a really good experience,” Makhanya said.
It’s been an ideal start for Makhanya, and while competition stays fierce within the defense on the practice pitch, he assured his focus is locked on what he can do to keep the team’s early dominance alive.
“There’s a lot of things I'm excited about, but right now I'm just trying to focus on staying consistent and helping the team wherever I can."
