DOOPing Overseas: Aaronson brothers lead their teams to wins, Leon Flach leaves match with an injury

It was a quiet week for former Philadelphia Union players overseas. While no one got on the scoresheet, the Aaronson brothers played well in their respective teams’ victories, Julian Carranza and Feyenoord picked up another win, and Leon Flach was substituted early on with an injury.

With sustained success this decade, fans have seen some of the brightest academy talents, their favorite players, and outcasts make their way overseas to compete in some of the best leagues in the world. The club is represented in Europe, South America, the Middle East, and more.

Let’s see how some of those former Union players faired in last week’s matches:

Paxten Aaronson – The former Union attacking midfielder played 85 minutes in FC Utrecht’s 3-1 win over FC Groningen. While Aaronson usually makes his impact offensively, Sunday he proved pivotal defensively. The 21-year-old led the match in tackles (3), won six ground duels, made four recoveries, and recorded one block. Aaronson has now started 26 of FC Utrecht’s 29 Eredivisie matches while on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt.

Brenden Aaronson – The older Aaronson also helped his team to victory over the weekend. The former Union midfielder played 80 minutes in Leeds United’s 2-1 win over Preston North End. Aaronson completed 92 percent of his passes, created the most chances (4) in the match, and registered one shot on target. Aaronson also played 89 minutes last Tuesday in a 1-0 road win over Middlesbrough. The two-win week has Leeds sitting in an automatic promotion position in the Championship with four games left. Are we on the verge of seeing a former Union player back in the Premier League?!

Leon Flach – The former Union midfielder left Jagiellonia Bialystok’s match on Sunday after picking up an injury in the fifth minute. While the extent of the injury is unknown, Flach walked off on his own power and was seen in post-match celebrations with his team after a 1-0 road win against Legia Warszawa. It is unclear if Flach will be fit by Thursday for the second leg of Jagiellonia Bialystok’s UEFA Conference League Quarterfinal matchup against Real Betis.

Other Notables 

– Julian Carranza was quiet in his 24-minute substitute appearance during Feyenoord’s 2-0 win at Fortuna Sittard on Saturday. The Dutch side has six consecutive wins after being eliminated from the UEFA Champions League in early March.

– Auston Trusty was left on the bench for Celtic’s 5-1 thumping of Kilmarnock. Former Union defender Stuart Findlay played all 90 minutes for the losing side, his fourth match back from a long-term injury.

– Mark McKenzie played the full match for Toulouse against Lille, his side’s fourth consecutive defeat.

– Jose Martinez started both games for Corinthians last week, a 1-1 draw against America de Cali in the Copa Sudamericana and a 2-0 loss to Palmeiras in the Serie A.

What’s Next

– Jose Martinez and Corinthians host Fluminense in the Brazilian Serie A on Wednesday, April 16 at 6:30 p.m. ET.

– Leon Flach and Jagiellonia Bialystok play host to Real Betis in the second leg of the UEFA Conference League Quarterfinals on Thursday, April 17 at 12:45 p.m. ET. Flach’s side currently trails 2-0 on aggregate.

– Brenden Aaronson and Leeds visit Oxford United on Friday, April 18 at 3 p.m. ET, as they look to inch closer to automatic promotion.

– Auston Trusty and Celtic play St. Johnstone in the Scottish FA Cup Semifinal on Sunday, April 20 at 10 a.m. ET

– Paxten Aaronson and FC Utrecht travel to league leaders Ajax on Sunday, April 20 at 6:15 a.m. ET.

– Mark McKenzie and Toulouse visit Reims on Sunday, April 20 at 11:15 a.m. ET, looking to snap a five-match winless streak.

– Julian Carranza’s Feyenoord and Jamiro Monteiro’s PEC Zwolle don’t play this weekend but will square off against each other next Friday, April 25. 

Check back with DOOPing Overseas next week to find out how these former Union players performed.