DOOPing Overseas: Findlay and Trusty score, McKenzie and Monteiro assist

It was a big week for Union players overseas, with two going head-to-head at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, while two more added their names to the scoresheet over the weekend. Auston Trusty, who scored a goal last Thursday, was sent off in a match against Stuart Findlay, in which he scored. Mark McKenzie and Jamiro Monteiro both returned to their respective teams’ starting lineups and registered assists. 

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:

Auston Trusty – The former Union center back was at the forefront of both Celtic games last week. On Thursday, Trusty scored in a 2-2 Europa League draw at Bologna, and on Sunday, he was sent off in a 2-2 draw at Hearts. Trusty’s first goal of the season in all competitions came five minutes before the half against Bologna. He got the best of his man at the back post on a corner kick, flicking the loose ball off the underside of the crossbar and just over the goal line. Despite drawing 2-2, Trusty was the Man of the Match for 10-man Celtic, with 17 clearances and nine duels won. However, Sunday’s performance was quite the opposite. Up 2-1 late in the second half, Trusty committed a DOGSO foul, pulling back a Hearts’ attacker on a breakaway. Originally given as a yellow card, the foul was upgraded to a red card after a VAR check. Celtic would concede the equalizer just 10 minutes later, and fell from second to third in the table. 

Stuart Findlay – The former Union center back went head-to-head with Trusty and Celtic for the third time this season. Anchoring the backline for the Scottish Premiership’s league leaders, Findlay once again played a major role in a big game. Three minutes after halftime, the 30-year-old would level the match at one. Off a corner, Findlay rose highest over two defenders, headed the ball down, squeezing it just inside the near post. This was Findlay’s fifth goal of the league season and just his second since August. Hearts’ magical season continues as they took seven points from three games against Scottish giants Celtic this campaign. They still sit atop the table with 51 points, four ahead of Rangers and six ahead of Celtic. 

Mark McKenzie (Bear, Del.) – The former Union center back returned from a short injury absence to star in Toulouse’s 2-0 road win over Brest on Sunday. In the 27th minute, McKenzie prepared for a long throw-in from the near side. The American smartly caught the defense off guard with a quick throw to Pape Demba Diop outside the box, who fired the visitors in front with a long-range effort. Along with his assist, McKenzie was strong defensively, making eight recoveries, seven clearances and two tackles, while winning five of his six duels. The 26-year-old completed 40 of his 45 passes (89 percent) and completed both his long-ball attempts. Toulouse are now just three points out of a Europa League position in France’s Ligue 1. 

Jamiro Monteiro – The former Union midfielder made his first start since early December in PEC Zwolle’s 2-1 loss at NEC Nijmegen on Saturday. Monteiro played 89 minutes and recorded the assist on his team’s only goal. In the 15th minute, Monteiro combined with Younes Namli in the right corner, exchanging small, quick passes around multiple defenders. A flick from Monteiro gave Namli space to beat his defender, cut inside and fire a deflected shot from the top of the box that looped over the goalie and in. The 32-year-old had a chance to give his team the lead again right before the half, but he failed to capitalize on a breakaway, placing his shot right at the keeper. Monteiro created three chances, the most by any player in the match, completed 86% of his passes and had one shot on target. 

Other Notables 

– Brenden Aaronson (Medford, N.J.) was lively, playing 85 minutes in Leeds’ 1-1 draw at Everton on Monday. 

– Kai Wagner played all 90 minutes in Birmingham City’s 1-1 draw at home to Stoke on Saturday.

– Neil Pierre (Lebanon, PA) made his debut for Danish side Lyngby, playing 45 minutes in a friendly against Mjallby.

– Jose Martinez is still dealing with Visa issues in Venezuela, but he is expected to return to Corinthians before the end of January.

What’s Next

– Auston Trusty and Celtic will host FC Utrecht in the final League Phase match of the Europa League on Thursday, Jan. 29, at 3 p.m. ET. 

– Samuel Adeniran and LASK return to action following a winter break with an Austrian Cup match against BW Linz on Friday, Jan. 30, at noon ET. 

– Kai Wagner and Birmingham City travel to Oxford United on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 10 a.m. ET.

– Brenden Aaronson and Leeds host Premier League leaders Arsenal on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 10 a.m. ET. 

– Leon Flach and Jagiellonia Bialystok return from winter break to play Widzew Lodz on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 11:30 a.m. ET.

– Jamiro Monteiro and PEC Zwolle host Telstar on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 12:45 p.m. ET.

– Stuart Findlay and Hearts visit Dundee United on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 3 p.m. ET.

– Mark McKenzie and Toulouse host Auxerre on Sunday, Feb. 1, at 11:15 a.m. ET.