Americans Abroad Player of the Week: Mark McKenzie

It was a tough week overall for Belgian Pro League side Genk, but two very strong individual performances from U.S. men’s national team defender Mark McKenzie.

McKenzie logged 210 minutes over the past five days, continuing his run as one of Genk’s leading starters this season. The 24-year-old first played 120 minutes in Genk’s 4-1 penalty shootout loss to Swiss Pro League club Servette in UEFA Champions League qualifying before also logging 90 minutes in Saturday’s 1-0 league defeat at the hands of Eupen.

McKenzie won 10/16 duels, made five interceptions, 14 recoveries, and totaled 225 successful passes in the Genk backline.

Although Genk will now be forced into Europa League Qualifying this week against Olympiakos, McKenzie will have the opportunity to feature against other top European competition. However, back-to-back defeats will put pressure on Thursday’s first leg in Grece before a Pro League trip to Cercle Brugge at the weekend.

Here is a look at some of the other top Americans Abroad performers from a light schedule of action:

Cameron Carter-Vickers

Scottish Premiership giants Celtic opened its league campaign on Saturday with three points at home over Ross County.

Cameron Carter-Vickers went the distance in a 4-2 home triumph in Glasgow, making his first appearance of the new campaign. The USMNT defender completed 96% of his passes, won three duels, and made four recoveries as Celtic started its title defense on a winning note.

Back-to-back trips to Aberdeen (SPFL) and Kilmarnock (League Cup) are up next for CCV and the rest of Brendan Rodgers’ squad.

Marlon Fossey

Standard Liege also suffered defeat this past weekend in Belgium, but Marlon Fossey continued to earn early minutes in the new season.

The 24-year-old fullback logged 90 minutes in Friday’s 1-0 home defeat to Union St. Gilloise, completing one dribble, winning six of his nine duels, and making five interceptions. Fossey took major strides in his growing club role last season and will remain one of the more dynamic fullback options in the Pro League.

What did you think of these individual performances this weekend?

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