DOOPing Overseas: McKenzie and Monteiro register assists, Martinez exits with injury

With many leagues overseas wrapping up, we have hit a crucial juncture in the season for many Union players now making a living in Europe and other places. While Brenden Aaronson’s season with Leeds came to an end, many of his former Union teammates played big matches on one of the final weekends of the season. Two players returned from injury, one player suffered an injury, and another earned Man of the Match. 

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 fared in last week’s matches:

Mark McKenzie – The former Union center back returned to league action for Toulouse on Saturday after serving a suspension for the two prior games. McKenzie assisted on his team’s only goal in a 1-1 home draw with Lens. McKenzie headed a clearance from the Lens’ goalkeeper straight into the path of an on-running Yann Gboho, who slotted home from long distance. This was McKenzie’s first assist of the season and Toulouse’s first point in six games. The Delaware native made 10 clearances, three recoveries, and two blocks in the match. 

Jamiro Monteiro – The former Union midfielder was by far the best player on the pitch in PEC Zwolle’s 1-1 draw with Go Ahead Eagles on Sunday. Monteiro was awarded Player of the Match, according to FotMob’s rating system (8.2). Monteiro created the most chances (3), made the most tackles (3), and completed 34 of his 36 passes (94%), all while only playing the second half. The 31-year-old provided the assist on his side’s only goal of the game. Monteiro chipped a beautiful ball into the box for Younes Namli to flick it past the keeper and in. The point confirmed safety for the Dutch side. 

Jose Martinez – The former Union midfielder left Corinthians’ match on Tuesday night with an injury. Martinez was subbed off in the 38th minute of a 1-1 draw in the Copa Sudamericana against America de Cali. Martinez missed Corinthians’ 2-1 loss to Mirassol on Saturday. Per FotMob’s injury report, Martinez will miss “a few weeks” with a tooth injury. 

Auston Trusty – The former Union center back made his first start for Celtic in over a month. Trusty played all 90 minutes in a 3-1 win over Hibernian on Saturday. Trusty completed 85 of his 88 passes (97%), made 11 clearances and three recoveries, and won all four of his aerial duels. The 26-year-old started for the first time since April 6, having spent Celtic’s last four games on the bench. Trusty has only started three times since March 1st, but has dealt with head and calf injuries during the final few months of the season.

Other Notables 

– Stuart Findlay played all 90 minutes in Kilmarnock’s 3-2 win over Dundee FC on Saturday, his side’s third consecutive win.

– Julian Carranza returned from injury to play the final nine minutes of Feyenoord’s last-minute loss to PSV Eindhoven.

– Paxten Aaronson played all 90 minutes in FC Utrecht’s 2-0 loss to FC Twente, his team’s first loss in the last six games. 

– Leon Flach started and played 61 minutes in Jagiellonia Bialystok’s 2-1 road win on Saturday. This was Flach’s first appearance since suffering an injury on April 13.

– Damion Lowe made an error that led to a goal in Al Akhdoud’s 9-0 home loss to Al Nassr on Monday afternoon.

What’s Next

– Julian Carranza and Feyenoord host RKC Waalwijk on Wednesday, May 14 at 2:00 PM ET. They will end the season on Sunday, May 18, at 8:30 AM ET against SC Heerenveen.

– Paxten Aaronson and FC Utrecht play Sparta Rotterdam on Wednesday, May 14 at 2:00 PM ET. Aaronson’s loan spell will come to an end following Utrecht’s season finale at Fortuna Sittard on Sunday, May 18, at 8:30 AM.

– Jamiro Monteiro and PEC Zwolle travel to Willem II on Wednesday, May 14 at 2:00 PM ET. They will host FC Groningen on Sunday, May 18, at 8:30 AM ET to end the season. 

– Stuart Findlay and Kilmarnock travel to Motherwell on Wednesday, May 14 at 2:45 PM ET. They wrap up their season at home against Hearts on Sunday, May 18, at 10:00 AM ET.

– Auston Trusty and Celtic travel to Aberdeen on Wednesday, May 14 at 3:00 PM and host St. Mirren on Saturday, May 17 at 7:30 AM ET.

– Leon Flach and Jagiellonia Bialystok take on Slask Wroclaw on Friday, May 16 at 2:30 PM ET.

– Damion Lowe and Al Akhdoud play Al-Fayha in a crucial relegation battle on Saturday, May 17 at 12:15 PM ET.

– Mark McKenzie and Toulouse travel to Saint-Etienne for the final match of the season on Saturday, May 17 at 3:00 PM ET. 

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