Winter in southern Hungary bites a little harder than expected. The air cuts sharper, the mornings arrive quieter, and the vineyards surrounding town sit bare under a pale sky. But for McKenna West, the cold only confirmed one thing: she was exactly where she needed to be.
Her destination? Szekszárd FC.
Her mission? Prove she belongs in the professional ranks of Europe.
After finishing her season in the United States, West felt the timing align. “I was ready to take the next step,” she says. “Szekszárd stood out as the right environment to continue my development and embrace the opportunity to play professionally in Europe.”
This wasn’t a spontaneous leap across the Atlantic. The move unfolded over months—conversations, evaluations, patience. The winter window and holiday break slowed the final steps, but the groundwork had already been laid. For two years, she had prepared for this moment. When the offer solidified, she didn’t hesitate.
First Impressions
Her first thought upon arrival?
“It was colder than I expected,” she laughs. But the beauty of Szekszárd quickly warmed her. The small Hungarian city—nestled in one of the country’s most historic wine regions—offered something both foreign and familiar. “Surprisingly, it didn’t feel too different from the U.S.,” she says. “That made settling in easier.” Before signing, she admits she knew little about Hungarian football. That changed fast. Film sessions, research, conversations—she immersed herself immediately. Preparation, after all, is part of her identity.
The Mind of a Striker
As a forward, West lives under a spotlight few positions experience. Goals define narratives. Droughts create doubt.
“The pressure is intense,” she admits. “Scoring goals is my primary responsibility.” Her solution isn’t complicated—it’s disciplined. Repetition in training. Relentless finishing drills. Trust in preparation. Composure in the decisive moment.
She doesn’t label herself a poacher or a target forward. Instead, she embraces the chaos. “I’m a pressing striker,” she says. “I thrive on putting pressure on defenders, forcing mistakes, making them uncomfortable.” Aggressive. Scrappy. Fast, intelligent runs. A forward who hunts rather than waits.
And when asked about goal targets for the season?
“I don’t focus on a single number,” she explains. “I set achievable goals each match. Of course, I’d like to score every game.”
Tactical Evolution
The Hungarian league demanded adjustments. In the U.S., athleticism and fitness often dictate tempo. In Hungary, the rhythm shifts toward tactical precision—quicker passing, coordinated movement, positional intelligence.
“The biggest adjustment has been focusing on quick passing and team movement instead of relying solely on athleticism,” she says. Mid-season arrivals can be isolating, but West leaned into consistency—training repetitions, conversations with teammates, extra tactical discussions with fellow attackers. Within weeks, she felt integrated.
Chemistry, she believes, is built deliberately.
“You talk before games. You coordinate strategy. You learn each other’s tendencies.”
Life Beyond the Pitch
Daily life in Szekszárd moves at a gentler pace. For a professional athlete, that rhythm is a gift. Recovery becomes intentional. Walks through the city replace the noise of American sprawl.
“It feels safe and friendly,” she says. “Easy to explore.” She’s discovered local favorites and looks forward to exploring more of the surrounding wine region—maybe even a vineyard hike when family visits.
As for Hungarian cuisine? The soups have won her over. Comforting, hearty, perfect for winter.
The language remains a challenge, but she’s picked up key phrases for the pitch. Teammates help bridge the gap. The locker room, after all, has its own universal dialect.
Carrying Home With Her
West acknowledges one of the biggest cultural shifts: scale. In the U.S., she was surrounded by diversity and constant motion. In Hungary, community feels tighter, more intimate.
She embraces both worlds.
“Yes, I carry American soccer culture with me,” she says. Sometimes that’s expressed in style—her braided hairstyles are part of her on-field identity. A subtle reminder of home woven into every sprint.
What does she miss most?
“Family and friends,” she says without hesitation. The distance is real. But so is their support.
The Bigger Picture
Her goals for these first months are straightforward: improve daily, help the team climb the rankings, ensure Szekszárd remains in the first division.
When goal droughts inevitably arrive, she leans on trust—trust in preparation, trust in process. One quiet match won’t fracture her confidence.
And if everything unfolds perfectly by season’s end?
“I’ll have grown significantly as a player, helped Szekszárd stay in the first division, contributed consistently in front of goal, and truly enjoyed the experience.”
In the stillness of a Hungarian winter, McKenna West is building something—layer by layer, run by run, press by press.
The cold may have surprised her.
The league won’t for long.
