DOOPing Overseas: Monteiro and Adeniran find the back of the net, Carranza makes first Leicester City start

Former Union players returned from the October international break last weekend, with many enjoying great performances. Fresh off qualifying for the 2026 World Cup with Cape Verde, Jamiro Monteiro found the back of the net in a four-goal thriller. Samuel Adeniran also got his name on the scoresheet with a goal in a 2-0 win. Julian Carranza made his first Leicester start while Auston Trusty and Jose Martinez were left out of their team’s squads entirely. 

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:

Jamiro Monteiro – The former Union midfielder had a fantastic week on the pitch. First, Monteiro helped Cape Verde qualify for its first-ever World Cup, then, he scored the tying goal in PEC Zwolle’s 2-2 draw at NAC Breda on Saturday. Down 2-1 in the 67th minute, the midfielder found a pocket of open space around the penalty spot. After receiving a pass through the lines, Monteiro took a touch, turned to shoot, and found the back of the net at the far post. This was the 31-year-old’s first goal of the Eredivisie season. Monteiro completed 56 of his 63 passes (89 percent), made 10 recoveries, and won all five of his tackles. The Cape Verdean’s goal helped PEC Zwolle stay just outside the relegation zone. 

Samuel Adeniran – The former Union striker netted his second goal of the Austrian Bundesliga season in LASK’s 2-0 road win against Rapid Wien on Sunday. Adeniran latched onto a long ball over the top from midfielder Kaper Jorgensen, found space between two defenders, and fired a bouncing ball past the flat-footed goalkeeper. His goal gave LASK a 2-0 lead in the 42nd minute. Adeniran was lively until being subbed out in the 67th minute, creating an expected goals on target of 1.64, registering three shots on target, and creating one chance. The 27-year-old is now tied for the team lead in goals. 

Julian Carranza – The former Union striker made his first start for Leicester City in his fifth appearance for the club since joining on loan from Feyenoord. Carranza played 59 minutes in a 1-1 home draw with Portsmouth on Saturday. Carranza finished with an expected goals of 0.03 and his only shot attempt was blocked. The 25-year-old is still looking for his first goal in England and first goal since scoring for Feyenoord on Feb. 22, 2025. 

Mark McKenzie (Bear, Del.) – The former Union center back was left out of the starting XI for Toulouse for the first time since Feb. 15, 2025. McKenzie’s streak of consecutive starts for the French side ended at 17 games on Sunday in a 4-0 win against FC Metz. The 26-year-old came off the bench in the 64th minute, making three recoveries, two clearances, and winning his only duel. Toulouse are unbeaten in their last three matches and sit just three points out of a Champions League place in Ligue 1. 

Other Notables 

– Brenden Aaronson (Medford, N.J.) started and played 66 minutes in Leeds United’s 2-0 away loss to Burnley on Saturday.

– Stuart Findlay registered his fourth consecutive clean sheet for Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts in a 3-0 win at Kilmarnock on Saturday.

– Leon Flach came off the bench in Jagiellonia Bialystok’s 4-0 win over Arka Gdynia on Saturday.

– Auston Trusty wasn’t included in Celtic’s squad for their shock 2-0 loss to Dundee FC on Sunday. 

– Jose Martinez missed Corinthians 3-1 loss to Santos due to suspension and was left out of his team’s squad for Saturday’s 1-0 win over Atletico MG after failing to report to training. 

What’s Next

– Julian Carranza and Leicester City travel to Hull City in the EFL Championship on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 2:45 p.m. ET. They then visit Millwall on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 10 a.m. ET.

– Leon Flach and Jagiellonia Bialystok travel to Strasbourg for a UEFA Europa Conference League match on Thursday, Oct. 23, at 12:45 p.m. ET. They then visit Gornik Zabrze on Sunday, Oct. 26, at 12:30 p.m. ET.

– Auston Trusty and Celtic host Sturm Graz in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, Oct. 23, at 3 p.m. ET. They then visit Stuart Findlay and Hearts on Sunday, Oct. 26, at 8 a.m. ET.

– Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United host West Ham on Friday, Oct. 24, at 3 p.m. ET.

– Mark McKenzie and Toulouse visit Monaco for a Ligue 1 match on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 1 p.m. ET. 

– Jamiro Monteiro and PEC Zwolle host NEC Nijmegen on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 3 p.m. ET.

– Jose Martinez and Corinthians travel to Vitoria on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 3 p.m. ET. 

– Stuart Findlay and Hearts host Auston Trusty and Celtic in a battle of first (Hearts/22 points) against second (Celtic/17 points) in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday, Oct. 26, at 8 a.m. ET.