DOOPing Overseas: Adeniran scores game-winning goal, Trusty returns to the Celtic starting XI

For many former Union players, it was a double-match week as teams and leagues prepare for November’s international break. Auston Trusty made his mark on two big Celtic wins last week, while Jamiro Monteiro was a part of a three-goal win and a six-goal loss. Samuel Adeniran scored a crucial goal for LASK, and Stuart Findlay helped Hearts keep another clean sheet. Jose Martinez (suspension) and Mark McKenzie (injury) did not feature last weekend. 

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:

Samuel Adeniran- The former Union striker scored the lone goal in LASK’s road win over rivals BW Linz. In the 54th minute of Saturday’s match, Adeniran found himself unmarked in the box. Another former MLS player, George Bello, spotted the striker, sending in a low cross which Adeniran dispatched with a one-time finish, catching the keeper flat-footed. The 27-year-old had three shots on goal and finished the game with an expected goals on target of 1.02. Adeniran’s goal lifted LASK out of the Austrian Bundesliga’s Relegation Qualification zone. The American is LASK’s leading scorer with three goals in six matches. 

Auston Trusty- The former Union center back returned to the Celtic starting XI on Wednesday in a 4-0 league win over Falkirk. Trusty hadn’t started for Celtic since a League Cup game against Falkirk on Aug. 15. The American played in place of his USMNT teammate Cameron Carter-Vickers, who is expected to miss significant time with an Achilles injury. Trusty completed 73 passes in the win, the most by any player in the match. On Sunday, Trusty started again, this time in the League Cup semifinals against Rangers. Trusty played 120 minutes and notched an assist on the winning goal as Celtic won the Old Firm derby, 3-1, after extra time. 

Stuart Findlay – The former Union center back played both of Hearts’ matches last week. Findlay has played every minute for his new side this season. On Wednesday, Findlay started in a 2-2 draw at St. Mirren. This was the first time Findlay and Hearts dropped points since Aug. 23. The 30-year-old made 15 clearances and won 12 duels, the most of anyone on the pitch. On Saturday, Hearts got back to winning ways, routing Dundee FC, 4-0. Findlay completed 81 of his 88 passes (92 percent), made eight recoveries, and five clearances. Findlay and Hearts are nine points clear atop the Scottish Premiership table, but have played one more match than second-place Celtic. 

Jamiro Monteiro – The former Union midfielder had an up-and-down week for PEC Zwolle, starting in a KNVB Cup win and playing all 90 minutes in an 8-2 league loss at Heracles. On Tuesday, Monteiro played the entire match in PEC Zwolle’s 4-1 road win over Helmond Sport. The 31-year-old completed 88 percent of his passes, had one shot on goal, and created one chance. He made 10 recoveries, won six of his eight duels, and accurately completed five of his six long balls. It was a different story on Sunday, as Monteiro and PEC Zwolle were beaten by six goals. The midfielder completed 36 of his 41 passes, but failed to register a shot on goal or create a chance. Defensively, Monteiro made eight recoveries and won four of his six ground duels. 

Other Notables 

– Brenden Aaronson (Medford, N.J.) played all 90 minutes in Leeds United’s 3-0 loss at Brighton on Saturday.

– Julian Carranza started and played 63 minutes for Leicester City in a 2-0 home loss to Blackburn on Saturday.

– Leon Flach played 17 minutes as a sub and received a yellow card in Jagiellonia Bialystok’s 2-1 home loss to Rakow Czestochowa on Sunday.

– Jose Martinez was suspended for Corinthians’ 2-0 win over Gremio on Sunday. 

– Mark McKenzie (Bear, Del.) played all 90 minutes for Toulouse in a 2-2 draw with Rennes on Wednesday, but missed Sunday’s scoreless draw against Le Havre with an undisclosed injury.

What’s Next

– Julian Carranza and Leicester City host Middlesbrough on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 2:45 p.m. ET. They then travel to Norwich on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 10 a.m. ET. 

– Jose Martinez and Corinthians visit Red Bull Bragantino on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 5 p.m. ET. They then host Ceara on Sunday, Nov. 9, at 2 p.m. ET.

– Auston Trusty and Celtic visit FC Midtjylland in the Europa League on Thursday, Nov. 6, at 12:45 p.m. ET. They then host Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday, Nov. 9, at 11 a.m. ET.

– Leon Flach and Jagiellonia Bialystok travel to KF Shkendija in the Europa Conference League on Thursday, Nov. 9, at 3 p.m. ET. They then visit Pogon Szczecin on Sunday, Nov. 9, at 11:30 a.m. ET. 

– Jamiro Monteiro and PEC Zwolle host Sparta Rotterdam on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 3 p.m. ET.

– Samuel Adeniran and LASK host Altach on Sunday, Nov. 9, at 8:30 a.m. ET. 

– Brenden Aaronson and Leeds visit Nottingham Forest on Sunday, Nov. 9, at 9 a.m. ET.

– Mark McKenzie and Toulouse travel to Lorient on Sunday, Nov. 9, at 9 a.m. ET.

– Stuart Findlay and Hearts host Dundee United on Sunday, Nov. 9, at 10 a.m. ET.