How the Union Defense Will Look Without Mark McKenzie
With the news of the Union reaching a transfer agreement with K.R.C Genk for homegrown defender Mark McKenzie in a record-breaking transfer of a center back, they now have a major hole to fill on the backline.
The young Homegrown star posted his best numbers this past year and proved to be the top defender for the Boys in Blue, so to say his presence will be missed is an understatement.
Luckily Philadelphia has another experienced center back in Jack Elliott as he has provided stability in the past. He will most likely be paired with Jakob Glesnes who posted a phenomenal first year with the club and showed why the team brought him in. Unless the team brings in another talented and proven center back, Elliott will be the man to replace McKenzie.
The pairing of Elliott and Glesnes would most benefit the team moving forward due to their experience and success playing in the MLS and specifically for the Union.
Heading into the 2021 season, it will be the same backline that only allowed 22 goals and six at Subaru Park throughout the regular season and playoffs.
This should leave fans assured knowing that they will still have Kai Wagner and one of either Ray Gaddis or Olivier Mbaizo at the outside back position.
Also coming off arguably his best season with the team with eight total shutouts and 63 saves, goalkeeper Andre Blake will once again be the man in net for the Boys in Blue. His presence and leadership along with his top tier reaction skills will offer a sense of relief to the backline, even without McKenzie this season.
It was also reported that Sporting Director Ernst Tanner is looking to bring in a left-footed defender to possibly replace McKenzie or take Gaddis’s role at right-back. Either way, I am confident with the personnel that the team currently has and would rather direct the money towards a striker or attacking midfielder. The team will have upwards of at least $13 million to spend on a player in the next transfer window, so keep your eyes peeled for a major signing.
When all is said and done, Philly will certainly miss McKenzie’s leadership and dominating presence on the backline, but his success and contributions earned him the chance to play with some of the best in Belgium.
His headed goal against Toronto FC in the team’s monstrous 5-0 victory and beautiful shot from outside the box against D.C. United to earn the team a big point at the time served to be huge goals on the team’s road to their first-ever trophy in club history.
Featured Image: Andrew Zwarych/Philadelphia Union
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