International Soccer
DOOPing Overseas: Martinez suffers another injury, Findlay impresses in shock win
With the first international break of the season out of the way, former Union players returned to their clubs for big games this past weekend. Despite heartbreaking losses, local products Brenden Aaronson and Mark McKenzie continue to show their worth in Europe. Stuart Findlay and Hearts remain unbeaten in the Scottish Premiership, while Julian Carranza’s Leicester City debut will have to wait at least one more week.
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 was making his way back to full fitness when he suffered an injury over the international break. Martinez, who had broken his hand in August, returned to play the second of two CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers for Venezuela. Despite playing all 90 minutes against Colombia last Tuesday, the 31-year-old picked up an ankle injury upon returning to Brazil. The Corinthians midfielder was left out of the side that beat Fluminense, 1-0, on Saturday. While Martinez recovered quickly from his fractured hand, there is no timetable for how long he will be sidelined with an ankle injury.
Stuart Findlay – The former Union center back continues to impress in Scotland, helping Hearts to a shock 2-0 road win at Rangers on Saturday. Findlay played all 90 minutes, winning four of his five duels (ground and aerial), making three clearances and three recoveries, and winning his only tackle. The 30-year-old led his side to a second clean sheet of the season, as they sit second in the Scottish Premiership, tied on points with Celtic, who are top of the table only by goal differential.
Brenden Aaronson (Medford, N.J.) – The former Union midfielder continued to show signs of progression in the Premier League this weekend. Aaronson, who has featured in all four matches for Leeds United this season, has looked lively in his return to England’s top flight. Aaronson made his first Premier League start of the campaign at Fulham on Saturday, a heartbreaking 1-0 loss for the visitors, conceding an own-goal late in second-half stoppage time. The 24-year-old played 77 minutes, completing 82 percent of his passes, creating one big chance, and registering one shot on goal. The New Jersey native also won eight of his 13 ground duels, made five recoveries, and was fouled twice.
Mark McKenzie (Bear, Del.) – The former Union center back suffered a heartbreaking defeat on Sunday. Toulouse allowed two goals in second-half stoppage time, losing to Lille after Kylian Mbappe’s younger brother, Ethan, scored in the dying seconds. In a match that saw his team concede a penalty and have a man sent off, McKenzie kept his game clean. The 26-year-old played all 90 minutes, making five clearances, three interceptions, and two recoveries.
Other Notables
– Kacper Przybylko registered his first assist of the season for Odra Opole in a 2-2 draw at Wisla Krakow on Saturday.
– Julian Carranza was left on the bench in his first game with Leicester City, a 2-2 draw away to Oxford United on Saturday.
– Jamiro Monteiro was subbed off at halftime of PEC Zwolle’s 3-1 loss at Dutch giants Ajax.
– Samuel Adeniran played the final seven minutes plus stoppage time in LASK’s 1-0 road loss to Altach.
– Leon Flach was an unused substitute in Jagiellonia Bialystok’s 1-1 draw at Piast Gliwice on Saturday.
– Auston Trusty continues to be sidelined with a foot injury for Celtic.
What’s Next
– Kacper Przybylko and Odra Opole host Stal Rzeszow in the Polish I Liga on Friday, September 19, at noon ET.
– Leon Flach and Jagiellonia Bialystok travel to Wisla Plock in the Polish Ekstraklasa on Friday, September 19, at 2:30 p.m. ET.
– Julian Carranza and Leicester City host American international Haji Wright and Coventry City on Saturday, September 20, at 7:30 a.m. ET.
– Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United travel to Wolves in a Premier League relegation battle on Saturday, September 20, at 10 a.m. ET.
– Jamiro Monteiro and PEC Zwolle host Go Ahead Eagles on Sunday, September 21, at 6:15 a.m. ET.
– Samuel Adeniran and LASK host BW Linz in an Austrian Bundesliga match on Sunday, September 21, at 8:30 a.m. ET.
– Mark McKenzie and Toulouse visit Auxerre on Sunday, September 21, at 11:15 a.m. ET.
