DOOPing Overseas: Paxten scores against Ajax, Brendenand Leeds secure Premier League promotion

The Aaronson brothers once again headline DOOPing Overseas! With Brenden earning promotion to the Premier League with Leeds United and Paxten scoring for FC Utrecht in a big win over Ajax, it was one heck of a weekend in the Aaronson household. It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for former Union players overseas with one being sent off and another’s team being eliminated from a European competition. 

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 midfielder scored the final goal in FC Utrecht’s shock 4-0 win over league leaders Ajax on Sunday. Aaronson’s low drive from the top of the box left Ajax goalkeeper Matheus flat-footed, putting a stamp on the win in the 85th minute. The 21-year-old played the full 90 minutes, completing 90 percent of his passes and scoring with his only shot on target. Aaronson now has seven goals and 10 goal contributions in the Eredivisie this season. FC Utrecht is level on points with Feyenoord for the league’s final Champions League place, only behind on goal differential. 

Brenden Aaronson – The former Union midfielder is headed back to the Premier League! Following two wins in a two-match week, and Burnley’s win over Sheffield United, Leeds secured automatic promotion to the Premier League. Aaronson started both games this past week, a 1-0 road win against Oxford United and a 6-0 home win against Stoke City. Leeds and Burnley are tied on points but Aaronson’s side has a healthy advantage on goal differential. With two games left, Leeds will look to stay in first and be crowned winners of the EFL Championship. 

Mark McKenzie – The former Union defender was shown a straight red card in Toulouse’s 1-0 loss at Reims on Sunday. McKenzie found himself in an awkward position when he was beaten for pace down the right side by Aurelio Buta. McKenzie dragged Buta down by the neck as he was in on goal, therefore, denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity and being sent off. The 26-year-old was on the field for just 27 minutes. McKenzie and Toulouse have now lost five matches in a row and are seven points clear from relegation with four games left. 

Damion Lowe – The former Union center back collected another clean sheet with Al Akhdoud on Thursday, the second in as many appearances for Lowe. While the game finished 0-0, Lowe was an integral part of picking up a point for his relegation-fighting side. Lowe made eight clearances and three recoveries, and won four of his five duels (ground and aerial). Lowe and Al Akhdoud have six matches left to crawl themselves out of the relegation zone in the Saudi Pro League.

Other Notables 

– Leon Flach and Jagiellonia were knocked out of the UEFA Conference League Quarterfinals after a 1-1 draw with Real Betis last Thursday. Flach didn’t play after picking up an unknown injury in his team’s previous league game.

– Jose Martinez conceded a penalty in Corinthians’ 2-0 loss to Fluminense on Wednesday. He was subsequently suspended for Saturday’s 2-1 win over Sport Recife due to yellow card accumulation. 

– Auston Trusty was an unused substitute in Celtic’s 5-0 Scottish FA Cup Semifinal win over St. Johnstone.

What’s Next

– Damion Lowe and Al Akhdoud travel to Al Kholood in the Saudi Pro League on Wednesday, April 23 at 12:10 p.m. ET.?
– Jose Martinez and Corinthians play Racing in the Copa Sudamericana group stage on Thursday, April 24 at 6 p.m. ET.
– Paxten Aaronson and FC Utrecht travel to RKC Waalwijk on Friday, April 25 at 12:45 p.m. ET.
– Julian Carranza’s Feyenoord host Jamiro Monteiro’s PEC Zwolle on Friday, April 25 at 3 p.m. ET.
– Brenden Aaronson and Leeds play host to Bristol City on Monday, April 28 at 3 p.m. ET.

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