International Soccer
DOOPing Overseas: Aaronson and Wagner square off, Carranza scores again
It was an early morning for Union fans on Sunday, as many woke up to see former fan favorites Brenden Aaronson and Kai Wagner go head-to-head in the oldest football competition in the world. Who came out on top? Plus, Julian Carranza has found his rhythm in Mexico, while Jose Martinez’s situation with Corinthians reaches a boiling point.
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 scored his penalty as Leeds United prevailed over Birmingham City in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday. Aaronson played 52 minutes as a second-half substitute. The American battled with his former Union teammate, Kai Wagner, who started for Birmingham City. With the match going to penalty kicks, Aaronson was selected to take Leeds’ fourth kick from the spot. Aaronson calmly dispatched his penalty into the bottom left corner, sending the keeper the wrong way. The 25-year-old’s goal put his side up 3-2 in the shootout, which they eventually would win 4-2. Leeds’ triumph in the FA Cup came on the back of Aaronson winning the club’s Player of the Month Award for January.
Kai Wagner – The former Union left back was on the wrong end of the matchup with his former Philly teammate, Aaronson. Wagner played all 120 minutes in Birmingham City’s 1-1 draw with Leeds, but did not partake in the penalty shootout, which his club lost. The German completed 81 percent of his passes, created the most chances in the match (five) and had one shot on target. Defensively, Wagner won six of his 10 duels, made four blocks and recoveries and had three clearances. Wagner made headlines for giving his goalkeeper, Ryan Allsop, directions on where to dive for Aaronson’s penalty kick. Signalling from the halfway line, Wagner motioned for Allsop to dive to his right, but the keeper dove the other way. The game’s result may have been different if Allsop had listened to Wagner.
Julian Carranza – Despite being sent off in his third game at Necaxa, the former Union striker has had a great start to life in Mexico. After scoring in a 2-1 road win over Juarez on Saturday, Carranza now has three goals in his first five matches for Necaxa. On Saturday, Carranza would level the match at one in the 43rd minute, directing a header back across the face of goal and just inside the far post. The 25-year-old played 78 minutes and scored with his only shot on target. This was a prototypical Carranza appearance, one Union fans were accustomed to. The Argentine won the most duels (nine), including seven of his eight in the air, and was the most fouled player in the match (five). Necaxa would find a late winner less than 10 minutes after Carranza was subbed off.
Jose Martinez – After a whirlwind last few months, the former Union midfielder had his contract terminated by Brazilian club Corinthians. Martinez has been in the news after he missed nine matches and more than a month of training to renew his passport in his home country of Venezuela. Upon returning to the club last week, it was discovered that El Brujo had a torn ACL, which would rule him out for most of 2026. The 31-year-old was seen wearing a brace while playing in a local match in Venezuela, while away from Corinthians. Martinez claims that he hurt his knee in the Copa do Brasil final, right before leaving to deal with his passport renewal. However, the club was unhappy with his lack of communication while away and the nature of the injury he returned with; therefore, they terminated his contract. In 70 appearances with Corinthians, Martinez had two goals and two assists, received five red cards and won the Paulista A1 and Copa do Brasil in 2025.
Other Notables
– Auston Trusty started both of Celtic’s wins on Wednesday and Sunday.
– Samuel Adeniran played 78 minutes as LASK drew 1-1 with Ried on Saturday.
– Mikael Uhre had one shot on target in FC Midtjylland’s 4-1 road win over OB on Sunday.
– Stuart Findlay started both of Hearts’ matches last week, a home win over Hibernian on Tuesday and a road loss to Rangers on Sunday.
What’s Next
– Auston Trusty and Celtic host VFB Stuttgart in the Europa League Round of 32 on Thursday, Feb. 19, at 3 p.m. ET. They then host Hibernian on Sunday, Feb. 22, at 10 a.m. ET.
– Leon Flach and Jagiellonia Bialystok host Fiorentina in the Europa League Round of 32 on Thursday, Feb. 19, at 3 p.m. ET. They then host Radomiak Radom on Sunday, Feb. 22, at 8:45 a.m. ET.
– Kai Wagner and Birmingham City travel to Norwich on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 10 a.m. ET.
– Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United visit Aston Villa on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 10 a.m. ET.
– Stuart Findlay and Hearts host Falkirk on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 10 a.m. ET.
– Julian Carranza and Necaxa host Toluca on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 8 p.m. ET.
– Jamiro Monteiro and PEC Zwolle travel to FC Utrecht on Sunday, Feb. 22, at 8:30 a.m. ET.
– Mikael Uhre and FC Midtjylland visit Silkeborg on Sunday, Feb. 22, at 10 a.m. ET.
– Samuel Adeniran and LASK host RB Salzburg on Sunday, Feb. 22, at 11 a.m. ET.
– Mark McKenzie (Bear, Del.) and Toulouse host Paris FC on Sunday, Feb. 22, at 1 p.m. ET.
