International Soccer
DOOPing Overseas: Adeniran scores in Man of the Match performance, 4 players advance in domestic cup competitions
It was a quiet week for former Philadelphia Union players overseas, but it included a great goal from Samuel Adeniran, along with Brenden Aaronson, Mark McKenzie, Mikael Uhre and Auston Trusty all advancing in cup competitions. Julian Carranza was added to a growing list of injuries, joining Stuart Findlay and Jamiro Monteiro on the sidelines, with the latter closest to a return.
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 opening goal in LASK’s 3-1 home win over Wolfsberger AC on Sunday. In the 36th minute, Adeniran was found just outside the penalty area, with a between-the-lines pass. The American took a touch and rifled a half-volley from 20 yards away, rippling the back of the net. This was Adeniran’s sixth goal of the Austrian Bundesliga season, putting him second on his team in that category. The 27-year-old created four chances, had an expected goals of 0.25 and scored with his only shot on target.
Julian Carranza – The former Union striker has missed Necaxa’s last three matches with a “physical issue,” per coach Martin Varini. Necaxa have lost three consecutive games without Carranza in the squad. The 25-year-old was in good form in Mexico, scoring three goals in his first six games and two goals in his last three. While a timetable for his return is unknown, Carranza’s “physical discomfort” isn’t supposed to keep him absent for too much longer. The striker joins Stuart Findlay and Jamiro Monteiro as the former Union players currently sidelined with injuries.
Auston Trusty – The former Union center back helped Celtic advance to the Scottish Cup semifinals by keeping a clean sheet and scoring a penalty kick. Celtic took down rivals Rangers in an intense Old Firm Derby on Sunday, winning 4-2 on penalties, with the match finishing scoreless after 120 minutes. In the second round of spot kicks, Trusty stepped up and calmly dispatched his penalty into the bottom left corner, sending the keeper the wrong way. The 27-year-old had missed Celtic’s last two league games while serving a suspension.
Other Notables
-Brenden Aaronson (Medford, N.J.) played 74 minutes in Leeds United’s 1-0 home loss to Sunderland on Tuesday and did not feature in Leeds’ 3-0 FA Cup fifth round win over Norwich City on Sunday.
-Mark McKenzie (Bear, Del.) played both of Toulouse’s matches against Marseille last week, helping his side advance to the Coupe de France semifinals on Wednesday, while suffering defeat on Saturday.
-Mikael Uhre and FC Midtjylland advanced to the Danish Cup Final after beating AGF 2-1 across two legs. Uhre played just one minute in the second leg on Sunday, a 1-1 home draw.
-Kai Wagner played all 90 minutes in Birmingham City’s 1-0 loss at Charlton on Saturday.
-Stuart Findlay (hamstring) and Jamiro Monteiro (knee) remain sidelined with injuries.
What’s Next
-Kai Wagner and Birmingham City host QPR on Wednesday, March 11, at 3:45 p.m. ET. They then host Sheffield United on Saturday, March 14, at 11 a.m. ET.
-Mikael Uhre and FC Midtjylland visit Nottingham Forest in the first leg of the Europa League Round of 16 on Thursday, March 12, at 4 p.m. ET. They then host Nordsjaelland on Sunday, March 15, at 9 a.m. ET.
-Samuel Adeniran and LASK host Hartberg on Friday, March 13, at 2:30 p.m. ET.
-Jamiro Monteiro and PEC Zwolle host FC Groningen on Friday, March 13, at 3 p.m. ET.
-Julian Carranza and Necaxa travel to Puebla on Friday, March 13, at 9 p.m. ET.
-Leon Flach and Jagiellonia Bialystok host Piast Gliwice on Saturday, March 14, at 9:45 a.m. ET.
-Auston Trusty and Celtic host Motherwell on Saturday, March 14, at 11 a.m. ET.
-Brenden Aaronson and Leeds visit Crystal Palace on Sunday, March 15, at 10 a.m. ET.
-Mark McKenzie and Toulouse travel to Metz on Sunday, March 15, at 12:15 p.m. ET.
