Mark McKenzie all games PBP thread

Started at RCB, apparent 4-2-3-1. Explicitly as an injury replacement, not as the new starter.

 

Genk in the best form in the league, but might have turned it on too late to catch Horvath and friends. Genk had a 3-0 lead taken away by offside, as the commentator continually misexplains the offside rule to say you're offside if you're behind the goalkeeper. Amazing that someone paid to call games and who has probably watched hundreds, if not thousands, of games, would say that.

Offside call was correct, BTW.

 

Thostvedt scores 64th minute, for a hat trick and 3-0.

Genk are dominating Antwerp so badly that McKenzie hasn't done much difficult defending - had to wrestle a bit with the world's second finest footballer in the Lukaku family, but that's about it.

 

McKenzie in a sideline possession foul with Lamkel Ze along the sideline, keeps composure, strength, and positioning, and draws a yellow, which defenders don't get to do every day.

 

Lucumi attempts a defensive header to his own keeper, but he's off target, and it falls to Mbokani, marked by McKenzie. McKenzie does all he can to challenge the shot, but Mbokani gets off a blasted volley from 7 yards out - miraculous / lucky save from Vandevoordt to keep the clean sheet. Maybe McKenzie made him rush it? Play was clearly Lucumi's fault.

 

4-0 now, linesman called it offside but even the linesman seems to think he got it wrong and it will be reversed and count. At least this time without any spurious explanations of the rules.

 

If you're farther upfield than Gyasi Zardes, you're probably offside.

 

McKenzie bold chest trap pass to the keeper in a crowded box. Really want the clean sheet for his benefit.

 

Full time, nice shutout for McKenzie. We'll see if he starts the last game or if they guy he replaced is healed up enough. Win keeps the title race alive, but Brugge can clinch with a win against Miazga and friends and earn Horvath a title.

 

Very physical shutdown chasing an attacker down the wing, but concedes a corner.

 

McKenzie at LCB in a 4-2-3-1. Genk have the better of play through 20 minutes.

 

Game balanced out a bit last ten minutes. Genk not retaining possession going forward all that well. McKenzie with two clearances out of the box, but both were plays a pro CB should make 100% of the time, and one of them he reacted a bit late.

 

Nice steal by McKenzie to close out the half. One crap pass I can remember that led to a turnover, otherwise quite a strong performance.

 

Crucial clearance by McKenzie in the 52nd minute. Aided by a loose touch from Liege #9 de Mello.

Next play, beaten by a great backheel pass, but leads to a cross to nobody.