DOOPing Overseas: Martinez scores, Aaronson assists, Trusty and Findlay go head-to-head in Scotland

It was an eventful weekend for former Union players making a living overseas. This weekend’s games saw two former fan favorites find the scoresheet, while two former center backs went toe-to-toe in a battle of Scotland’s top teams. 

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:

Jose Martinez – The former Union midfielder scored his first goal of the Brazilian Serie A season in Corinthians’ 1-1 home draw with Juventude on Sunday. In the 23rd minute, Martinez latched onto a pass at the top of the box, smashing the ball past the keeper with a one-time finish. Martinez was subbed off at halftime, leaving the game with a 1-0 lead. The 31-year-old waited till the final match of the Serie A season to score his first goal of the year. In 24 games, Martinez played 1,401 minutes, made 17 starts, received nine yellow cards and two red cards, scored one goal and collected one assist.

¡GOOOOOOOOLAZO! Jose “Brujo” Martínez ha marcado para el Corinthians en la última fecha del Brasileirao ante Juventude. Su primer gol de la temporada y su segundo del año. pic.twitter.com/2nSpaBlQMD

— 🅰️lex Yánez (@AlexYanezFC) December 7, 2025

Brenden Aaronson (Medford, N.J.) – The former Union midfielder made an immediate impact off the bench for Leeds United, creating a goal 10 minutes after coming on in his side’s 3-3 home draw with defending champions Liverpool on Saturday. Aaronson, who now has a goal and two assists in 14 appearances for Leeds this season, came on in the 65th minute, with Liverpool up 2-0. After a penalty kick made it 2-1, Aaronson would dance through the Liverpool defense and slip in an angled ball for Anton Stach, who made no mistake inside the penalty area. Both teams would score late goals, with Leeds equalizing in stoppage time.

Stuart Findlay – The former Union center back went toe-to-toe with former Union defender Auston Trusty in the battle of the top two teams in the Scottish Premiership. Findlay and Hearts would come out on top for the second time this season, beating Trusty and Celtic 2-1 at Celtic Park on Sunday. Findlay made eight clearances, five recoveries, and two interceptions, while winning both of his tackles. The 30-year-old also won all four of his ground and aerial duels. With a crucial three points on Sunday, Findlay and Hearts sit three points ahead of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership table. 

Auston Trusty – The former Union center back was on the losing end of the matchup with Findlay, starting and playing all 90 minutes in the 2-1 defeat. In the first game under new manager Wilfried Nancy, the former Columbus Crew boss, Trusty was selected to feature in a new look back five. Despite the result, Trusty was one of Celtic’s best players on Sunday. The 27-year-old completed the most passes (106) in the match and was the most accurate passer (95 percent) to play 45 minutes or more. Trusty won five of his six tackles, the most by any player on the pitch, made five recoveries and two clearances. The American won seven of his nine ground duels and four of his six aerial duels. 

Other Notables

– Julian Carranza was left on the bench during Leicester City’s 3-1 road win over Derby on Saturday. The former Union striker has been an unused substitute in the last six matches.

– Mark McKenzie (Bear, Del.) helped Toulouse collect all three points in a shutout win over Strasbourg on Saturday. 

– Leon Flach played 60 minutes and received a yellow card in Jagiellonia Bialystok’s 2-1 loss at Termalica Nieciecza on Sunday.

– Jamiro Monteiro was substituted at halftime in PEC Zwolle’s 6-1 road loss to Feyenoord on Saturday. 

– Samuel Adeniran had one shot on goal and was substituted after 60 minutes in LASK’s 2-2 road draw against Hartberg on Saturday.

What’s Next

– Julian Carranza and Leicester City visit Bristol City on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 2:45 p.m. ET. They then host Ipswich on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 10 a.m. ET.

– Jose Martinez and Corinthians visit Cruzeiro in the first leg of the Brazilian Cup semifinal on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 7:30 p.m. ET. They then host the second leg of the tie on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 4 p.m. ET.

– Leon Flach and Jagiellonia Bialystok host Spain’s Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League on Thursday, Dec. 11, at 12:45 p.m. ET. They then travel to Motor Lublin on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 11:30 a.m. ET.

– Auston Trusty and Celtic host Roma in the Europa League on Thursday, Dec. 11, at 3 p.m. ET. They then visit St. Mirren on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 10:30 a.m. ET. 

– Samuel Adeniran and LASK travel to Grazer AK in the Austrian Bundesliga on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 11 a.m. ET.

– Jamiro Monteiro and PEC Zwolle host Fortuna Sittard on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 3 p.m. ET.

– Stuart Findlay and Hearts travel to Falkirk on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 3 p.m. ET.

– Mark McKenzie and Toulouse visit Paris FC on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 3:05 p.m. ET.

– Brenden Aaronson and Leeds travel to Brentford on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 11:30 a.m. ET.