International Soccer
DOOPing Overseas: Aaronson starts third straight match for Leeds, Findlay and Hearts go top of the Scottish Premiership
It was a quiet week for former Union players playing overseas. Brenden Aaronson and Stuart Findlay continued to find success with their respective clubs. Julian Carranza adapts to life in England, while Auston Trusty remains sidelined with an injury. Jamiro Monteiro missed two games this week through suspension, and Leon Flach gave away a penalty kick.
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:
Brenden Aaronson (Medford, N.J.) – The former Union midfielder started his third consecutive match for Leeds United in a 2-2 home draw with Bournemouth on Saturday. Aaronson was involved in Leeds’ second goal of the match, with his shot being blocked into the path of midfielder Sean Longstaff, who fired a shot off the post and in. The 24-year-old also created a big chance for striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, using an overhead kick to loop the ball into the Briton’s path, but his header went straight to the keeper. Aaronson played 87 minutes, received a yellow card, was fouled four times, had three shots blocked, made two interceptions and recorded one shot on target.
Stuart Findlay – The former Union center back was a force on defense for Hearts in a 3-0 home win over Falkirk on Saturday. Findlay played all 90 minutes, completing 34 of his 40 passes, including five of his seven long balls. The 30-year-old made 11 clearances, won nine of his 11 duels (ground and aerial), made seven recoveries, had one block and one shot on goal. The win marked back-to-back clean sheets for Findlay and Hearts. The club now sits in sole possession of first place in the Scottish Premiership after Saturday’s win and Celtic’s scoreless draw to Hibernian over the weekend.
Leon Flach – The former Union midfielder played out of position for Jagiellonia Bialystok in a 2-2 draw at Lech Poznan on Sunday. Playing at right back, the versatile defensive-minded player gave away a penalty kick in the second half after dragging down his man on a corner kick. Flach would receive a yellow card, and Poznan would score the penalty to tie the game. The 24-year-old won seven of his nine duels (ground and aerial), made two recoveries, won two of his tackles, had one interception and created one chance.
Mark McKenzie (Bear, Del.) – The former Union center back played all 90 minutes in Toulouse’s 2-2 draw at home against Nantes on Saturday. McKenzie completed 86 percent of his passes and created one chance. The 26-year-old won four of his six duels (ground and aerial), made three clearances and recoveries, won both of his tackles and was fouled twice. McKenzie and Toulouse came from behind twice in the second half to snatch a point off of current Union midfielder Alejandro Bedoya’s former employer.
Other Notables
– Julian Carranza came on at halftime for Leicester City, registering one shot off target and receiving a yellow card in a 1-1 draw at West Brom.
– Jose Martinez played 69 minutes for Corinthians in a 2-1 home loss to rivals Flamengo.
– Jamiro Monteiro was suspended for PEC Zwolle’s two games last week after being shown a straight red card on Sept. 21.
– Kacper Przybylko played all 90 minutes in Odra Opole’s 1-1 draw at Puszcza Niepolomice on Saturday.
– Auston Trusty continues to be sidelined for Celtic with a foot injury.
What’s Next
– Julian Carranza and Leicester City host Wrexham in the EFL Championship on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 2:45 p.m. ET.
– Jose Martinez and Corinthians visit Internacional in the Brazilian Serie A on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at 6:30 p.m. ET.
– Leon Flach and Jagiellonia Bialystok host Hamrun Spartans in Round 1 of the UEFA Europa Conference League league phase on Thursday, Oct. 2, at 12:45 p.m. ET.
– Brenden Aaronson and Leeds host Tottenham on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 7:30 a.m. ET.
– Stuart Findlay and Hearts host Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 12:45 p.m. ET.
– Jamiro Monteiro returns from suspension as PEC Zwolle host PSV Eindhoven on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 2 p.m. ET.
– Kacper Przybylko and Odra Opole host Wieczysta Krakow in an I Liga match on Sunday, Oct. 5, at 6 a.m. ET.
– Mark McKenzie and Toulouse travel to Lyon on Sunday, Oct. 5, at 9 a.m. ET.
