Mark McKenzie has been a stalwart in Belgian side Genk’s backline since arriving in 2021, but reportedly could be on the move to England in the latest chapter of his club career.
McKenzie is on the radar of Premier League side West Ham United, multiple Belgian outlets reported Thursday. The former Philadelphia Union homegrown defender’s current contract with Genk is set to run until June 2025.
McKenzie, 25, excelled in MLS with the Union before moving to Belgium in January 2021. He made 16 combined appearances during the second half of the season, winning the Belgian Cup that April.
McKenzie has continued to be a regular contributor for Genk over the past three seasons, totaling 117 appearances, five goals and four assists. His impact in Belgium has also led to 13 USMNT caps to date, most recently being part of the CONCACAF Nations League-winning roster last month.
West Ham United are reigning UEFA Europa Conference League winners and remain in this season’s competition. The Hammers are currently seventh in the EPL table, 12 points behind fifth-place Tottenham.
Genk is currently one match into its Belgian Pro League Championship Round schedule and are eight points back of leaders Union St. Gilloise.
Not having watched the Belgian League, I haven’t seen him play in years and that was in MLS and a few NT games, so- I haven’t a clue where he’s at now. At that time the PL top to bottom of the table would have seemed a bridge too far, but being a lock starter in Belgium, I have to assume he’s progressed. IF there is any merit to West Ham having any kind of interest, be it as a reserve or whatever, I’d take it as a good sign regarding the work he’s done. But, ya know…. the rumor mill. Not holding my breath seeing him playing week in and out in the Prem.
Remember Gooch Onyewu? He spent most of his career playing for Anderlicht in the Belgian league and was a consistent starter for the US and did well in the World Cup. While the US now has so many players in the top 5 leagues, the Belgian league has produced some good players.
Sure do remember Gooch, and absolutely Belgium has. Just can’t say I’ve watched many Belgian sides play other than occasional isolated matches in European competition. Having not seen McKenzie play there at all- my impressions of him are obviously out of date. He has to be doing something right as he’s seen the field a lot the last 2 seasons. Regardless, the jump in level to West Ham would be a large one. Would think some lower table PL sides might have eyes on Trusty who has mostly held his own in tough circumstances. Hope they and others keep growing as our CB pool is on the shallow side at the moment.
Good news to hear for him. Potentially good for the USMNT too. I hope it happens and I hope he succeeds.
i don’t think a top 7 EPL side signs a guy from an ok belgian team who sometimes plays for his country, to start. or even necessarily to stay there and not just go on perennial loan. if it sounds too good to be true, usually is.
also not sure if he’d get a work permit. he is occasionally called to the US, rarely plays. i think he’s at like 13-14 caps in 4 years. there’s a fairly tough points system. we had this discussion on soto-to-norwich, who then went on rotating loans before landing on his feet in austria. never played a first team english game, 3 reserve matches.
Soto got his work permit after playing against Panama and El Salvador that’s why he was able to play for the reserves in 2021. The problem was he was often hurt and not very good when fit. That’s probably why he’s been unsuccessful in Portugal 2, Scotland, and now Austria.
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McKenzie will qualify fairly easily he played in 2 matches in September which earns him 7 pts and 10 pts for playing 90% of matches in a Band II league (Belgium). You only need 15 pts, he’s got 17. English permits are pretty easy post-Brexit if you are in a top 10.
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I don’t know that I see him playing much for West Ham, but who knows. Their 4th CB is 35, but there other 3 are in their mid 20s and were bought for significantly more money than Mark would command.
That’s super interesting. McKenzie’s a pretty good athlete but he’s only about 6’0″ tall and while I haven’t seen him play in quite awhile I do not remember his distribution or technical ability being EPL-level. Then again, EPL scouts make their money knowing who is EPL level, so I’ll assume West Ham – which has been a pretty good side the last couple years at nowhere near the budget level of Chelsea or the Manchesters – has done their homework. If they think he’s good enough, who am I to argue?
And players do improve. Has anyone watched McKenzie lately enough to know how his game has progressed?
He has progressed. If it happens then good for him and the USMNT. And I want him to succeed. Having another CB playing in Elite leagues will only bolster the USMNT for 2026.
See the end of my reply to IV. It appears he’d be their 4th CB so minutes would be limited. However, as Tim Chandler has shown you can make a nice career sitting on the bench in a top league. Plus Mark seems like a guy that would really enjoy living in London.