After graduating from Hillview High School, Pretoria in 1986, McKinley attended the College of Boca Raton from 1987 to 1991.
He finished the year with Wits University FC in South African Premier Soccer League.
On 13 August 1997, McKinley, along with Giuseppe Galderisi, were acquired by the New England Revolution from the Tampa Bay Mutiny in exchange for Chiquinho Conde and Sam George.
[1] McKinely made his Revolution debut the next day against the LA Galaxy, and scored a late equalizer to force a shoot-out.
[2] On 7 July 2000, McKinley was traded to the Miami Fusion for Eric Wynalda and "future draft considerations.