DOOPing Overseas: Aaronson earns Man of the Match in Leeds win, Monteiro scores from free kick

Union fans are still buzzing after a dramatic penalty shootout win in the MLS Cup Playoffs on Sunday night. Many former Union players were buzzing around the pitch this past weekend, with two former midfielders scoring goals, including one winning man of the match. Two former Union defenders went head-to-head in a battle between the top two teams in Scotland, while two players returned to their respective club’s starting lineups.  

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 showed why he got the nickname “Medford Messi” in Leeds United’s 2-1 win over West Ham on Friday. Aaronson got the scoring started in the third minute, finding a loose ball in the box and firing home from close distance. This was Aaronson’s first Premier League goal of the season and just the second of his career. The 25-year-old almost scored the goal of the season in the second half. Starting from his own half, Aaronson weaved through multiple defenders on his way to goal before taking a shot from the top of the box that deflected off the crossbar. The American played 87 minutes, won eight of his 12 duels, made four recoveries, and created two chances. 

Jamiro Monteiro – The former Union midfielder’s scoring streak continued over the weekend. Monteiro scored in back-to-back games for PEC Zwolle, marking his first two goals of the season. In a 2-2 draw at home to NEC Nijmegen, Monteiro leveled the game at one with a free-kick goal on the stroke of halftime. With the ball placed to the left of the goal and just less than 25 yards away, Monteiro struck a beautiful shot that dipped over the wall and beat the goalkeeper at his near post. The 31-year-old made five recoveries, was fouled four times, won three of his five tackles, and had three total shots. 

Stuart Findlay – The former Union defender went head-to-head with Celtic and former Union center back Auston Trusty on Sunday. Hearts and Findlay would come away with a massive 3-1 win to extend their advantage to eight points atop the Scottish Premiership table. Findlay played all 90 minutes and made six clearances, won four of his seven duels, had two recoveries, and created one chance. Findlay is a part of the best defense in Scotland’s top flight, only having conceded seven goals in nine games this season. 

Julian Carranza – The former Union striker played 54 minutes across two games for Leicester City last week, both losses. Carranza came off the bench to play the final 13 minutes plus stoppage time in a 2-1 loss at Hull City on Tuesday. He had just six touches and completed one pass in his short stint off the bench. On Saturday, Carranza came on just after halftime in a 1-0 road loss to Millwall. The 25-year-old had 14 touches, including five in the opposition box, completed five of his seven passes, and had one shot off target. Carranza has yet to score in seven appearances with Leicester City. 

Other Notables 

– Jose Martinez returned to the starting lineup for Corinthians on Saturday, picking up a yellow card and playing the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 road win over Vitoria.

– Mark McKenzie (Bear, Del.) also returned to the starting XI in Toulouse’s 1-0 loss at Monaco on Saturday.

– Auston Trusty remained on the bench in Celtic’s 3-1 loss at Hearts. Despite being fit for the past few weeks, the defender hasn’t played for Celtic since Aug. 20. 

– Leon Flach started both games for Jagiellonia Bialystok last week, playing 130 minutes across a draw and a loss.

– Samuel Adeniran started and played 61 minutes in LASK’s 1-0 home win over Grazer AK on Saturday. 

What’s Next

– Jamiro Monteiro and PEC Zwolle travel to Helmond Sport in the KNVB Cup on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 3 p.m. ET. They then visit Heracles on Sunday, Nov. 2, at 6:15 a.m. ET. 

– Samuel Adeniran and LASK visit SV Stripfing in the Austrian Cup on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 3:30 p.m. ET. They then travel to BW Linz on Saturday, Nov. 1, at noon ET.

– Auston Trusty and Celtic host Falkirk on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 3:45 p.m. ET. They then host Rangers in the Old Firm Derby on Sunday, Nov. 2, at 9 a.m. ET. 

– Stuart Findlay and Hearts will look to win their seventh straight game as they visit St. Mirren on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 3:45 p.m. ET. They then host Dundee FC on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 11 a.m. ET. 

– Mark McKenzie and Toulouse host Rennes on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 4:05 p.m. ET. They then play another home match against Le Havre on Sunday, Nov. 2, at 11:15 a.m. ET.

– Leon Flach and Jagiellonia Bialystok travel to Miedz Legnica in the Polish FA Cup on Thursday, Oct. 30, at 10 a.m. ET. They then host Rakow Czestochowa on Sunday, Nov. 2, at 11:30 a.m. ET.

– Julian Carranza and Leicester City host Blackburn on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 8:30 a.m. ET.

– Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United visit Brighton on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 11 a.m. ET.