International Soccer
DOOPing Overseas: Pierre nets brace on debut, Wagner to miss ‘weeks’ with a shoulder injury
Philadelphia Union fans will be happy to see the success of Neil Pierre, who is out on loan with Lyngby in Denmark. The 18-year-old prospect scored twice in his competitive debut. Kai Wagner narrowly avoided a serious shoulder injury in late February but is now set to miss multiple weeks after reaggravating the injury. He and Leon Flach add their names to a long list of injuries to former Union players overseas.
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 Philadelphia Union players fared in last week’s matches:
Neil Pierre (Lebanon, Pa.) – The Union defender, currently out on loan, scored twice in his competitive debut for Danish second division side Lyngby. Playing at right back in his first start for the 1. Division leaders, Pierre, netted a brace to lead Lyngby to a 3-1 win at AC Horsens on Monday. In the 35th minute, the 18-year-old rose highest to head home an in-swinging free kick, just moments after he had a shot cleared off the line. In the 59th minute, Pierre redirected home a low cross from just inside the six-yard box to make it 3-1. Defensively, the American made seven clearances, five recoveries and two interceptions. Pierre was Lyndby’s Man of the Match.
Kai Wagner – The former Union left back missed both of Birmingham City’s games last week with a shoulder injury. Wagner initially suffered the injury in a 3-0 loss at Millwall in late February, but despite leaving that match, he didn’t miss a game. Wagner took another knock to the shoulder on March 7, a 1-0 loss to Charlton. The German completed the match, but then missed his side’s following two games. Birmingham City manager Chris Davies announced last week that the 29-year-old will miss ‘a few weeks’ with his injury and could be back after the March international break. Wagner’s run of 13 straight appearances since joining the EFL Championship side in early January came to an end.
Mikael Uhre – The former Union striker returned to the Europa League for the first time since 2021 when playing for Brondby IF. Uhre played 33 minutes in the second half of FC Midtjylland’s 1-0 Round of 16 road victory against Nottingham Forest on Thursday. Uhre has featured in eight matches for the Danish side, starting just once in a cup game. He has just three shots across all competitions, with only one hitting the target. However, with FC Midtjylland still fighting to win the Danish Superligaen and competing in two other competitions, there is still time for Uhre to find his shooting boots.
Other Notables
– Brenden Aaronson (Medford, N.J.) started and played the first half in Leeds United’s scoreless draw at Crystal Palace on Sunday.
– Samuel Adeniran had four shots in LASK’s scoreless home draw with Hartberg on Friday.
– Mark McKenzie (Bear, Del.) made seven defensive contributions in Toulouse’s thrilling 4-3 win at Metz on Sunday.
– Julian Carranza missed his third straight match for Necaxa as he continues to nurse a muscle injury.
– Stuart Findlay remains sidelined with a hamstring injury and did not feature in Hearts’ 1-0 loss at Kilmarnock on Saturday.
– Leon Flach has missed Jagiellonia Bialystok’s last two matches with an unknown injury.
– Jamiro Monteiro, who hasn’t played since Jan. 31, is reportedly close to returning from a knee injury.
– Auston Trusty served the third and final game of his suspension for a violent conduct red card he received in February.
What’s Next
– Leon Flach and Jagiellonia Bialystok host GKS Katowice on Tuesday, March 17, at 2 p.m. ET. They then host Wisla Plock on Saturday, March 21, at 3:15 p.m. ET.
– Samuel Adeniran and LASK visit Ried in the Austrian Cup semifinals on Wednesday, March 18, at 1 p.m. ET. They then travel to Rapid Wien on Sunday, March 22, at noon ET.
– Mikael Uhre and FC Midtjylland host Nottingham Forest in the second leg of the Europa League Round of 16 on Thursday, March 19, at 1:45 p.m. ET. They then visit Viborg on Sunday, March 22, at 3 p.m. ET.
– Julian Carranza and Necaxa host Tijuana on Friday, March 20, at 9 p.m. ET.
– Neil Pierre and Lyngby travel to HB Koge on Saturday, March 21, at 8 a.m. ET.
– Mark McKenzie and Toulouse host Lorient on Saturday, March 21, at noon ET.
– Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United host Brentford on Saturday, March 21, at 4 p.m. ET.
– Jamiro Monteiro and PEC Zwolle host NAC Breda on Saturday, March 21, at 4 p.m. ET.
– Auston Trusty and Celtic visit Dundee United on Sunday, March 22, at 8:30 a.m. ET.
