DOOPing Overseas: McKenzie starts in 9-goal thriller, Flach secures European football

It was a relatively quiet weekend for former Union players playing overseas, with most of the noise coming off the pitch. Julian Carranza completed a loan move to Leicester City after months of transfer speculation, Leon Flach will make his return to the UEFA Europa Conference League, and Jose Martinez and Auston Trusty are still nursing injuries.

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 (Bear, Del.) – The former Union center back started for Toulouse in a nine-goal thriller against PSG on Saturday. Unfortunately for McKenzie, his side fell to the European Champions, 6-3. McKenzie was one of two defenders in a five-back system who played all 90 minutes. The Delaware native won three of his four duels (ground and aerial), made four clearances and two recoveries, and won his only tackle. It was a tough day at the office for McKenzie and Toulouse, conceding three goals in the first 15 minutes and allowing PSG to score two penalty kicks.

Leon Flach – The former Union midfielder helped Jagiellonia Bialystok qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League. Flach played all 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw at FC Dinamo City on Thursday. The Polish side won the two-leg qualifier 4-1, with Flach registering an assist in the first leg. Flach, who joined Jagiellonia Bialystok last winter, played five games on his team’s journey to the Conference League quarterfinals last season. Jagiellonia Bialystok’s first Conference League match will be at home against Hamrun Spartans on October 2.

Julian Carranza – The former Union striker left Feyenoord to join Leicester City on loan for the 2025-26 season, with an option to buy. Carranza hadn’t been included in the Feyenoord squad to start the year. The third-highest goal scorer in Union history will become a top striking option for the 2015-16 Premier League Champions. He will make his EFL Championship debut with Leicester following the international break.

Stuart Findlay – The former Union defender helped Hearts stay unbeaten in the Scottish Premiership this season. Findlay played the full 90 minutes in a road win at Livingston on Saturday. The 29-year-old won nine of his 11 duels (ground and aerial), and his only tackle, made four recoveries and two clearances, and was fouled three times, the most of any player in the match.

Other Notables

– Samuel Adeniran hit the woodwork twice in LASK’s 3-1 loss at home to Ried on Saturday.

– Brenden Aaronson (Medford, N.J.) played the final 30 minutes of Leeds United’s scoreless draw at home to Newcastle United on Saturday.

– Jamiro Monteiro played 71 minutes on Sunday as PEC Zwolle lost for the first time this season, falling 2-0 at home to FC Utrecht.

– Corinthians’ Jose Martinez (broken hand) and Celtic’s Auston Trusty (Media, Pa.) (foot) are still sidelined with injuries.

– Kacper Przybylko played all 90 minutes in Odra Opole’s 1-1 draw at LKS Lodz on Sunday.

What’s Next

– Julian Carranza is set to make his Leicester City debut when the Foxes travel to Oxford United on Saturday, September 13, at 7:30 a.m. ET

– Brenden Aaronson and Leeds return from the international break to visit Fulham at 10 a.m. ET on Saturday, September 13.

– Stuart Findlay and Hearts look to stay undefeated as they visit Rangers on Saturday, September 13, at 10 a.m. ET.

– Jamiro Monteiro and PEC Zwolle head to Amsterdam to take on Ajax on Saturday, September 13, at 10:30 a.m. ET.

– Samuel Adeniran and LASK visit Altach on Saturday, September 13, at 11 a.m. ET.

– Kacper Przybylko and Odra Opole have a road match against Wisla Krakow on Saturday, September 13, at 1:30 p.m. ET.

– Leon Flach and Jagiellonia Bialystok travel to Piast Gliwice on Saturday, September 13, at 2:15 p.m. ET.

– Mark McKenzie and Toulouse look to rebound as they visit Lille on Sunday, September 14, at 9 a.m. ET.

There will be no DOOPing Overseas next week due to the international break.

Matthew Ralph

Matthew Ralph is the managing editor of Philadelphia Soccer Now. He's covered soccer at all levels for a decade in the Philadelphia region and has also written for TheCup.us, NPSL, PrepSoccer and other publications. He lives with his wife and two young children in Broomall, Pa., but grew up in South Jersey and is originally from Kansas.

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