DOOPing Overseas: Martinez and Trusty suffer injuries, Carranza returns to Feyenoord training

Two unfortunate injuries highlighted the past week for former Union players playing overseas, with Jose Martinez and Auston Trusty suffering concerning injuries. However, there were positives from around the grounds as Julian Carranza returned to Feyenoord training, Mark McKenzie was pivotal in Toulouse’s win, and Leon Flach tallied an assist in 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 fared in last week’s matches:

Jose Martinez – The former Union midfielder will be sidelined for an extended period of time after fracturing his left hand ahead of Corinthians game against Vasco da Gama on Sunday. Martinez suffered the injury in training and has already had surgery to repair the fracture, with the recovery time expected to be four to six weeks. The injury will keep Martinez out for Venezuela’s upcoming crucial World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Colombia in early September. 

Auston Trusty – The former Union center back finds himself on the injury report for Celtic. After dealing with head and calf injuries during the second half of last season, Trusty has already picked up a knock just a few games into the new campaign. Trusty missed Celtic’s 3-0 win over Livingston on Saturday. Per manager Brendan Rodgers, Trusty could be out “for a bit” as he deals with plantar fasciitis. While there is no timetable for the 27-year-old’s return, he will not travel with the team for the second leg of the final Champions League qualification round against Kairat Almaty (Kazakhstan) on Tuesday. 

Julian Carranza – The former Union striker returned to Feyenord training last week after missing the first four games to start the season. However, Carranza has likely been left out of the squad due to transfer speculation, with the club not reporting any injury. Feyenoord recently posted pictures of Carranza on social media, welcoming him back to training. The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with a transfer to Monterrey FC in Liga MX. While a loan or permanent transfer is possible, does Carranza’s return to training mean he is now in manager Robin van Persie’s plans this season?

Mark McKenzie – The former Union center back picked up secondary assists on both Toulouse goals in a 2-0 win over Brest on Sunday. McKenzie led a slick passing move for the first goal, as Toulouse got in behind after the American’s through ball into the attacking half. Not long after, chaos ensued in the box following a McKenzie free kick, allowing Toulouse to scramble home their second goal of the match. The 26-year-old also helped his side record their second consecutive clean sheet to start the season. McKenzie made five clearances, four blocks, and two recoveries, while completing 38 of his 44 passes (86%). 

Stuart Findlay – The former Union center back failed to score for the first time in three Scottish Premiership games this season. Findlay had three goals in two games before Hearts played Motherwell at home on Saturday. Hearts made a three-goal comeback in the second half, coming away with a point in a 3-3 draw. Findlay played all 90 minutes and has played every minute for Hearts this season. The 29-year-old won the most duels in the match (12) and completed 35 of his 38 passes (92%). Findlay made five clearances and two interceptions, and created two chances. 

Other Notables 

– Samuel Adeniran didn’t register a shot for LASK in a 3-0 loss to RB Salzburg on Saturday.

– Leon Flach recorded an assist in Jagiellonia Bialystok’s 3-0 first-leg victory over FC Dinamo City in the final UEFA Europa Conference League qualification round.

– Brenden Aaronson played 25 minutes in the second half as Leeds lost 5-0 at Arsenal on Saturday.

– Kacper Przybylko made his first start for Odra Opole, playing 78 minutes in a 2-1 loss at Stal Mielec. 

– Damion Lowe completed a free transfer from Al Akhdoud in Saudi Arabia to Erbil SC in the Iraq Stars League. 

What’s Next

– Samuel Adeniran and LASK visit SV Horn in the second round of the OFB Cup on Wednesday, August 27, at 2:30 p.m. ET.

-Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United visit Sheffield Wednesday in the second round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday, August 26, at 3 p.m. ET. Leeds also host Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday, August 30, at 12:30 p.m. ET.

– Leon Flach and Jagiellonia Bialystok travel to FC Dinamo City in the second leg of the final UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying round on Thursday, August 28, at 2:45 p.m. ET.

– Stuart Findlay and Hearts visit Livingston in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday, August 30, at 10 a.m. ET.

– Mark McKenzie and Toulouse host Champions League winners PSG in Ligue 1 on Saturday, August 30, at 3:05 p.m. ET. 

– Julian Carranza and Feyenoord visit Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday, August 31, at 8:30 a.m. ET.

– Jamiro Monteiro and PEC Zwolle host FC Utrecht on Sunday, August 31, at 8:30 a.m. ET.

– Kacper Przybylko and Odra Opole host LKS Lodz on Sunday, August 31, at 11:30 a.m. ET.