Philadelphia Union
DOOPing Overseas: Adeniran bags two goals in two games, McKenzie continues strong play in France
In the final week before the March international break, there was good news and bad news for former Union players overseas. On the good side, Samuel Adeniran continued his impressive campaign with two goals last week, including one to help LASK reach the Austrian Cup Final. On the bad side, none of the currently injured players returned, while Leon Flach was diagnosed with a knee injury that will see him miss six weeks.
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 two goals in two games for LASK last week. In the Austrian Cup semifinals against Ried on Wednesday, Adeniran scored the tying goal in the 51st minute, ultimately helping his side advance 2-1 after extra time. The American pounced on a flicked through ball, outmuscling his defender and sliding his left-footed shot past a diving keeper. Adeniran’s goal came just two minutes after the home side had taken the lead. The 27-year-old played all 120 minutes and would carry his strong play into Sunday’s match at Rapid Wien. Despite the 4-2 loss, Adeniran found the back of the net again. Less than a minute into the match, Adeniran pounced on a turnover, barrelled toward the goal, firing a left-footed rocket across the face of the goal and into the top corner. Adeniran now has nine goals in all competitions this season.
Mark McKenzie (Bear, Del.) – The former Union center back helped Toulouse record a shutout in a crucial 1-0 home win over Lorient on Saturday. Defensively, McKenzie made four recoveries and two clearances, and won his only aerial duel of the match. The American completed 43 of his 44 passes (98 percent), including his only long ball attempt, had 51 touches and made seven passes into the final third. McKenzie has now started and played all 90 minutes in nine of his team’s last 10 games. The 27-year-old is part of a backline that has conceded the second-least expected goals (32.7) in Ligue 1, only behind French giants and league leaders PSG. McKenzie’s consistency with Toulouse earned him a spot on the U.S. Men’s National Team roster for the March international window.
Brenden Aaronson (Medford, N.J.) – The former Union attacking midfielder played 68 minutes in Leeds United’s scoreless home draw with Brentford on Saturday. Aaronson created one chance and had one shot off target. The American was impactful on the defensive side of the ball, making five defensive contributions, with four recoveries and one tackle. This was Leeds’ second consecutive scoreless draw and just their fourth point in their last six Premier League games. Leeds have scored just one Premier League goal in over a month. Aaronson’s last goal contribution came in a 4-3 defeat at Newcastle on January 7, when the 25-year-old scored twice. Aaronson also earned a call-up to the USMNT for upcoming friendlies against Belgium and Portugal.
Other Notables
– Julian Carranza has missed Necaxa’s last five games with an injury.
– Stuart Findlay is still nursing a hamstring injury and was absent from Hearts’ massive 1-0 win over Dundee FC on Saturday. There is hope that the center back could return following the international break.
– Leon Flach will miss six weeks with a knee injury.
– Jamiro Monteiro missed his seventh consecutive match for PEC Zwolle, who have won just once with Monteiro absent from the squad. Monteiro was not selected to Cape Verde’s March roster as he continues to rehab from a knee injury.
– Auston Trusty returned from a three-game league suspension for Celtic on Sunday, but was an unused substitute in his side’s 2-0 loss at Dundee United.
– Mikael Uhre came on at halftime for FC Midtjylland in Sunday’s 1-1 road draw with Viborg.
– Kai Wagner is sidelined with a shoulder injury, but hopes to return to Birmingham City after the international break.
What’s Next
– Kai Wagner and Birmingham City host Blackburn on Friday, April 3, at 10 a.m. ET.
– Mark McKenzie and Toulouse travel to Ligue 1 leaders PSG on Friday, April 3, at 2:45 p.m. ET.
– Julian Carranza and Necaxa host Mazatlan on Friday, April 3, at 11 p.m. ET.
– Mikael Uhre and FC Midtjylland host Sonderjyske in the Superligaen Championship Playoff on Saturday, April 4, at noon ET.
– Jamiro Monteiro and PEC Zwolle travel to Go Ahead Eagles on Sunday, April 5, at 6:15 a.m. ET.
– Samuel Adeniran and LASK host Austria Wien on Sunday, April 5, at 8:30 a.m. ET.
– Stuart Findlay and Hearts visit Livingston on Sunday, April 5, at 9 a.m. ET.
– Auston Trusty and Celtic travel to Dundee FC on Sunday, April 5, at 11:30 a.m. ET.
– Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United visit West Ham in the FA Cup Quarterfinals on Sunday, April 5, at 11:30 a.m. ET.
