DOOPing Overseas: Trusty returns from injury, Aaronson involved in another Leeds United goal

While Union fans were busy celebrating the team’s Supporters’ Shield win this weekend, former Union players were making their own noise overseas. In Scotland, Auston Trusty returned from injury while Stuart Findlay and Hearts continue their incredible start to the season. In England, Brenden Aaronson and Julian Carranza had scoring opportunities. Elsewhere, Mark McKenzie helped Toulouse record a historic win, and Jamiro Monteiro returned from a multi-game suspension. 

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 fourth consecutive match for Leeds United on Saturday in a 2-1 home loss to Tottenham. Aaronson played a big role in Leeds’ only goal of the game. The American found space in the box for a shot, which was parried by the goalkeeper right into the path of Noah Okafor, who made no mistake from close range. This is the second straight week that an Aaronson shot has resulted in a Leeds goal just seconds later. The 24-year-old played 67 minutes, registering a shot on goal, and was the most fouled player in the match (three times). 

Auston Trusty – After a long spell recovering from injury, the former Union defender returned to the Celtic squad for Thursday’s Europa League loss to Braga. Trusty missed seven games for Celtic, dating back to Aug. 20. The 27-year-old was dealing with a bad case of plantar fasciitis. Trusty was named to the bench last Thursday, but did not feature in the 2-0 home defeat. The American was not named to the matchday squad for Celtic’s 3-2 win over Motherwell on Sunday. Now back to full fitness, Trusty will look to get back on the pitch after the international break. 

Stuart Findlay – The former Union center back continues to impress for Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts. Findlay played all 90 minutes in a 1-0 home win over Hibernian on Saturday, marking his team’s third consecutive clean sheet. Findlay made a whopping 14 clearances in the win, including a crucial goal line clearance in the second half. The 30-year-old also made three recoveries, won three of his seven duels (ground and aerial), and didn’t commit a foul. Findlay and Hearts remain unbeaten and have a two-point lead over Trusty’s Celtic for top spot in the Scottish Premiership. 

Julian Carranza – The former Union striker played 12 total minutes across Leicester City’s two matches last week. Carranza played eight minutes in a 1-1 home draw with Wrexham and played four minutes in a 3-1 win at Swansea City. Carranza had a golden opportunity to score his first Leicester City goal in the dying moments of Saturday’s road match. The 25-year-old was sent through on a partial breakaway via a deflection in the 88th minute. The striker attempted to chip the keeper on his first attempt, but was denied in tight. Carranza would find his own rebound and take time to assess his options, but his second attempt was also saved after a deflection by a defender. Carranza finished the match with two shots on target and an xG of 0.44. 

Mark McKenzie (Bear, Del.) – The former Union center back played all 90 minutes in Toulouse’s shock 2-1 road win against Lyon. McKenzie made four clearances, two interceptions, two recoveries and won his only tackle. The 26-year-old had 42 touches, completed 79 percent of his passes and created one chance. McKenzie and his two center back partners kept Lyon in check, allowing for two late Toulouse goals to steal all three points. This was Toulouse’s first win since Aug. 24, and the club’s first win in Lyon since 1970. 

Other Notables 

– Leon Flach played 92 total minutes in two Jagiellonia Bialystok victories last week, including starting in a 1-0 UEFA Conference League win.

– Jose Martinez played 62 minutes in Corinthians’ 3-0 win over Mirassol on Saturday.

– Jamiro Monteiro returned from a multi-game suspension to play 69 minutes in PEC Zwolle’s 4-0 home loss to PSV Eindhoven.

– Kacper Przybylko played all 90 minutes in Odra Opole’s 2-0 home triumph over Wieczysta Krakow on Sunday.

What’s Next

– Jose Martinez and Corinthians travel to Santos FC on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 8:30 p.m. ET.

– Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United return from the international break with a trip to Burnley on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 10 a.m. ET.

– Leon Flach and Jagiellonia Bialystok host Arka Gdynia on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 11:30 a.m. ET.

– Stuart Findlay and Hearts visit Kilmarnock following the international break on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 12:45 p.m. ET.

– Julian Carranza and Leicester City host Portsmouth in the EFL Championship on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 2:45 p.m. ET.

– Jamiro Monteiro and PEC Zwolle travel to NAC Breda on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 3 p.m. ET.

– Kacper Przybylko and Odra Opole visit Polonia Bytom on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 6 a.m. ET.

– Auston Trusty and Cetic return from the international break with a trip to Dundee FC on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 7 a.m. ET.

– Mark McKenzie and Toulouse host Metz on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 11:15 a.m. ET.