Philadelphia Union
DOOPing Overseas: Aaronson helps send Leeds to Wembley, Carranza suffers rare, unknown season-ending injury
Club soccer returned after the March international break with another former Union player advancing in a domestic cup competition. Brenden Aaronson’s strong substitute performance helped Leeds United reach the semifinals of England’s most historic tournament. However, luck wasn’t on Julian Carranza’s side. The former Union striker will reportedly miss the rest of Necaxa’s Liga MX season with an incredibly rare and unknown injury.
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:
Brenden Aaronson (Medford, N.J.) – The former Union midfielder drew a penalty in normal time and converted his spot kick in the shootout as Leeds United knocked off West Ham in the FA Cup Quarterfinals on Sunday. Aaronson started the game on the bench, but was subbed on in the 38th minute when midfielder Anton Stach was forced off with an injury. In the 72nd minute, Aaronson was taken down in the box by Max Kilman. While initially not given as a foul, the no-call was overturned to a penalty kick after a VAR check. Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin would dispatch the penalty to give Leeds a 2-0 lead on the road. However, two goals in second-half stoppage time from West Ham eventually saw the match go to a penalty shootout. Aaronson took the third penalty for Leeds, calmly placing his shot in the right side of the goal, sending the keeper the wrong way. The American has converted both his penalties during Leeds’ run to the historical tournament’s penultimate round. Leeds will face Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, April 28, in the FA Cup Semifinals.
Julian Carranza – The former Union striker will miss the remainder of Necaxa’s season with an unknown but serious injury. Per TUDN USA reporter Juan Carlos Zamora, Carranza is unlikely to play again this season due to a “complex medical issue and super rare injury among soccer players.” Zamora, who was commentating on Necaxa’s 2-1 win over Mazatlan on Friday, also reported that the 25-year-old’s injury is so rare in soccer that “it has already been reviewed by NFL specialist doctors,” where the apparent injury is more common. Carranza missed Necaxa’s last six matches with what was described as a “muscle” injury, but no further details were or have been released. Since joining the Liga MX side in January, Carranza has three goals in six games.
Auston Trusty – The former Union center back helped Celtic collect a crucial three points in a 2-1 road victory over Dundee FC on Sunday. Trusty returned to Celtic’s league starting XI for the first time since February 22, when he received a straight red card that led to a three-match ban. Trusty played once in the Europa League and once in the Scottish FA Cup in between league games. In Sunday’s must-win game, Trusty played all 90 minutes, made eight clearances, four recoveries and won all four of his aerial duels. The American had 91 touches, completed 86 percent of his passes and created one chance. Celtic now sit three points behind first-place Hearts and two points behind second-place Rangers, with one game left before the Championship Playoffs.
Other Notables
– Sam Adeniran had one shot on target in LASK’s 4-1 home win over Austria Wien on Sunday.
– Stuart Findlay (Hamstring), Leon Flach (Knee), Jamiro Monteiro (Knee) and Kai Wagner (Shoulder) all remain sidelined with injuries.
– Mark McKenzie (Bear, Del.) played all 90 minutes in Toulouse’s 3-1 road loss to league leaders PSG on Friday.
– Neil Pierre (Lebanon, Pa.) saw his first action since scoring a brace on March 9, playing 30 minutes in Lyngby’s 1-0 road loss to AC Horsens.
– Mikael Uhre was an unused substitute in FC Midtjylland’s 2-2 home draw with Sonderjyske on Saturday.
What’s Next
– Samuel Adeniran and LASK visit Red Bull Salzburg on Friday, April 10, at 1:30 p.m. ET.
– Neil Pierre and Lyngby host Kolding IF on Saturday, April 11, at 8:30 a.m. ET.
– Auston Trusty and Celtic host St. Mirren on Saturday, April 11, at 10 a.m. ET.
– Mikael Uhre and FC Midtjylland travel to Brondby IF on Sunday, April 12, at 10 a.m. ET.
– Mark McKenzie and Toulouse host Lille on Sunday, April 12, at 11:15 a.m. ET.
– Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United visit Manchester United on Monday, April 13, at 3 p.m. ET.
