McKenzie on the bench. With only a few days left till the transfer deadline, hopefully Lucumi is sold. Apparently he was not called up to the Columbia NT so maybe a move is in the works? Otherwise I can see a lack of playing time hurting McKenzies chances of being called up in the next 1-2 windows, unless he is really getting good minutes as a rotation option. Long term it's still a good situation I think, he is young for a CB, Genk has produced good CBs in the past (like the 2 in front of him) and he is still in their plans as their next CB.
McKenzie came on in the 91st minute, shortly after Ike Ugbo, just transferred from Chelsea, put Genk up 1-0. Van den Brom showed a propensity for using McKenzie as a last minute sub last year, so this fits a pattern. Mark came on for Ito, so it was an formation change extra defender sub.
McKenzie came in as sort of an RCB, and had a dangerous collision with his own keeper making a catch which thankfully resulted in everyone being fine and the keeper managed do hold on. He was also beaten for a header he could have won, but cleaned up one of the last Anderlecht chances with a solid clearance. McKenzie headed away a last minute cross and a last minute corner as well, as he was a magnet for the ball in the last couple of minutes. Solid job in a short appearance.
Transfer window closed, Lucumi still there. There goes McKenzies chances at a call up in Oct/Nov and maybe further.
Sure its possible, Lucumi is one of the best CBs in Belgium though and I wonder how much McKenzie expected him to have been sold by now. Not a horrible situation, just not ideal.
It's peculiar. Wasn't McKenzie a big purchase by the club? And he's played well by all accounts yet his competition seems to be air tight.
Same thing happened last season at Genk. They bought Daniel Muñoz expecting Joakim Mæhle to leave. Joakim stayed and they played a 5 man back line so both could play until Joakim was sold in January.
On the bench: 🇧🇪 Jupiler🧐🇺🇸 Mark McKenzie on the bench pic.twitter.com/CiGiEhZLfy— 🇺🇸 ⚽ east (@eastdeflection) September 12, 2021
Starts the 2nd half: We starten de 2de helft met een 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗹.▶️ Mark McKenzie komt Carlos Cuesta vervangen. #krcgenk #mijnploeg #gnkusg— KRC Genk (@KRCGenkofficial) September 12, 2021
Genk does the thing where they look worse against a 10 man team than a 11 man team, and give up a 90+5 equalizer to a 10 man opponent. I couldn't get a good look at the equalizer and can't find a highlight. McKenzie was in the area where the header was scored from, but I think he was just chasing his man and it wasn't his man who scored. Other than that I thought he looked solid. Usually wins his 1v1 match ups in transition and can quickly find a teammate, and is winning more headers than I remember, usually to team mates too. In half court possession his passing still isn't that dangerous. Usually content to make the simple obvious pass.
Found it : https://www.rtbf.be/sport/football/...-deuxieme-premier-succes-pour-ohl?id=10840856 Can confirm it was NOT McKenzies man. Great header too, far post.
A lead they took immediately before his substitution. McKenzie gets more <5 minute appearances than any Yank in memory.
Wonder what is up with it tbh. Either his coach just really loves to do the whole "Extra defender as a last 5 minutes sub to see games out" that i feel like i am seeing less and less, or its something else. if i wanted to stay positive it could be that the coach really likes mckenzie and wants to continue to get him work in games and groom him into an every other game rotation starter.
Pretty sure it's basic tactics - we're bunkering in the last few minutes, why not add another CB who will be an extra big body on crosses into the box, etc. To be fair, I think I've seen him do it at least 5 times, and it has worked well enough each of those times, but I'm not sure it was more effective than just continuing to play.
Started: TEAM 🔵⚪️#krcgenk #mijnploeg #stvgnk pic.twitter.com/EE1DC3DY8q— KRC Genk (@KRCGenkofficial) September 19, 2021 Went 90 in 2-1 win.
#USMNT Mark McKenzie went the full 90 for Genk. He had 5 clearances, 3 interceptions, 1 tackle, won 3/5 duels, 91% passing, 5/7 accurate long balls, and 1 shot off target— Mr. Silence Dogood (@POTP_Silence) September 19, 2021 I did not see the game but apparently McKenzie shared some blame for the goal against due to a coverage error. Though then I heard he got better in the second half and made a lot of defensive stops. His fotmob rating was also 7.3.
McKenzie did not play in Genk's midweek match, in which they fell to a 4-2 defeat in the league against Antwerp. But he starts today against Seraing. Our 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 🔵⚪️#krcgenk #mijnploeg #gnkser pic.twitter.com/yg4czupssj— KRC Genk (@KRCGenkofficial) September 26, 2021