Tag: genk

USMNT defender McKenzie completes transfer to Toulouse

The 25-year-old becomes the first America to ever play for the French club

Mark McKenzie has joined Ligue 1 side Toulouse on a transfer from Genk, the clubs announced on Friday.

McKenzie, 25, spent four seasons in Belgium with Genk, making 128 appearances.

The U.S. men’s national team defender told his new club’s website that he was ready to make the next step in his career.

“I am 25 years old, I have been playing in Belgium for several seasons now and I simply wanted to move up a level in my career,” the defender said.

“I think it was the right time. Above all, I wanted to make the right choice by joining a team with a real playing identity, a project that fits with my ambitions and a way of playing that matches my profile.”

The defender had been recently linked with a move to Germany, but will instead continue his career in the French top flight.

McKenzie will become the first American to ever play for Toulouse, which has finished mid-table in Ligue 1 the past two seasons.

“It’s always special to be the first to do something, no matter what it is,” he said. “It’s an honor to represent the United States so far. It adds a little pressure, yes, but I have to raise my own standards, lead the way and maybe inspire some in America.”

McKenzie has earned 13 caps for the USMNT. He was on the team’s roster for this summer’s Copa América but did not make an appearance at the tournament.

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Mark McKenzie responds to USMNT snub in meme form

The defender just missed the cut for the USMNT’s Nations League roster

Mark McKenzie responded to his U.S. national team snub with one of the oldest memes in the book.

Despite a standout campaign in Belgium with Genk, McKenzie was not on the 24-player squad for the USMNT’s CONCACAF Nations League matches later this month.

Interim USMNT coach B.J. Callaghan selected Chris Richards, Miles Robinson, Walker Zimmerman and Auston Trusty as his four center backs, with McKenzie barely missing the cut.

In response to missing the roster, McKenzie posted an image on his Instagram stories that any terminally online person would recognize. We’ll call it the “bemused guy surrounded by question marks.”

Callaghan: McKenzie was not happy

Callaghan, who coached McKenzie during his time with the Philadelphia Union, said he called the defender personally to deliver the news.

“This is a guy that I’ve known since he was 12 years old,” Callaghan said on a conference call with reporters. “So it’s a hard, hard conversation to have with him. I explained the reasons. I can tell you that he was understanding, he was professional but at the same time, what I would expect is that he wasn’t happy.”

McKenzie was also named to the USMNT’s 60-man Gold Cup preliminary roster on Thursday, and he appears more likely to make the final cut for that tournament.

“I reassured him that I think there’s a pathway for him to continue with the men’s national team,” Callaghan continued. “This is in no way a door shut for him. And I outlined some different ideas and options for him. I know he’s coming off an unbelievable club season that he had with Genk, and he’s going to have way more men’s national team opportunities.”

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