DOOPing Overseas: Paxten scores first Frankfurt goal, Adeniran leads LASK to three points

As the new season kicks off, more former Union players took the field this weekend to begin their 2025-26 seasons. From goals and clean sheets to a return to the Premier League and a debut for a new team, it was an eventful matchweek for your favorite former Union players. 

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:

Paxten Aaronson – The former Union midfielder made quite the impression in his 11-minute cameo for Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday. Aaronson latched on to a pass across the box and patiently outwaited the goalkeeper and two defenders before calmly knocking the ball into the open bottom corner. The 21-year-old’s goal was the fifth and final in Frankfurt’s shutout victory at FV Engers in the opening round of the DFB Pokal, and marked the American’s first goal with the club. Aaronson was lively in his short substitute appearance, making a case for more minutes when the Bundesliga season starts this weekend. 

Samuel Andeniran – The former Union striker had one of his best performances for LASK since leaving MLS in the winter. Down a goal 34 minutes in, Adeniran met a wonderful cross from winger Moses Usor at the back post, heading the ball across the goal and in. In the second half, Adeniran almost had another headed goal, but was denied by a save onto the crossbar right in front of the net. Adeniran won the most duels in the game (10) as LASK beat Austria Wien, 2-1, for their first win of the season. 

Mark McKenzie – The former Union center back played all 90 minutes in Toulouse’s 1-0 win at OGC Nice in the Ligue 1 opener on Saturday. McKenzie was a stalwart at the back, making eight clearances and two recoveries, and blocking eight shots. The 26-year-old completed 42 of his 45 passes (93 percent), nine of which entered the final third. This was the Delaware native’s first clean sheet with Toulouse since March 2.

Brenden Aaronson – The former Union attacking midfielder played 24 minutes in Leeds United’s 1-0 win over Everton on Monday night. Locked in a stalemate, the substitutions made by manager Daniel Farke, including bringing on Aaronson, changed the game in his team’s favor. Leeds would come away with a 1-0 win after scoring a penalty in the 84th minute. Aaronson’s pressing and chance-creating caused Everton problems down the stretch. The 24-year-old completed all five of his passes, won three of his duels, and created two chances, including one big chance. 

Jamiro Monteiro – The former Union midfielder was a force for PEC Zwolle in a 2-0 win over Telstar on Friday night. Monteiro played 88 minutes, completing 37 of his 39 passes (95 percent), winning six of his seven duels, making four recoveries, and winning all three of his tackles – the most by any player in the match. The 31-year-old was all over the field for PEC Zwolle, being fouled three times, the most in the game. Monteiro has helped his side open the Eredivisie season with back-to-back shutout wins. 

Other Notables 

– Julian Carranza was left out of the Feyenoord squad for the fourth consecutive competitive match as transfer rumours heat up.

– Auston Trusty played all 90 minutes in Celtic’s 4-1 win over Falkirk in the Scottish League Cup Round of 16.

– Stuart Findlay played 120 minutes in Hearts’ 1-1 draw with St. Mirren in the Scottish Cup Round of 16. Hearts were eliminated on penalty kicks. 

– Leon Flach played the full 90 minutes in Jagiellonia Bialystok’s 2-1 comeback win over Radomiak Radom on Sunday. 

– Kacper Przybylko made his debut for Odra Opole on Sunday, coming on as a second-half substitute. 

– Despite Jose Martinez’s strong 90-minute performance, Corinthians lost 2-1 to Bahia on Saturday. 

What’s Next

– Auston Trusty and Celtic host Kairat Almaty in the first leg of the final UEFA Champions League qualification round on Wednesday, August 20, at 3 p.m. ET.

– Kacper Przybylko and Odra Opole visit Stal Mielec in an I Liga match on Thursday, August 21, at 1:30 PM ET.

– Leon Flach and Jagiellonia Bialystok host FC Dinamo City in the first leg of the final UEFA Europa Conference League qualification round on Thursday, August 21, at 2:15 p.m. ET.

– Paxten Aaronson and Eintracht Frankfurt will kick off their Bundesliga season hosting Werder Bremen on Saturday, August 23, at 9:30 a.m. ET. 

– Stuart Findlay and Hearts host Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday, August 23, at 10 a.m. ET.