DOOPing Overseas: Pierre scores again, Aaronson assists in Leeds win & Uhre ruled out for the season

It was a good week for Union homegrown products playing overseas, as Brenden Aaronson and Neil Pierre found their names on the scoresheet in crucial wins, and Auston Trusty played every minute of a game that had a combined eight goals and saw Celtic advance to the Scottish FA Cup Final. However, tough news was announced for recent departure Mikael Uhre, who will miss the remainder of FC Midtjylland’s season with a thigh 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 Union players fared in last week’s matches:

Neil Pierre (Lebanon, Pa.) – The on-loan Union center back scored his third goal in his third game for Danish side Lyngby on Saturday in their 2-1 win over Hvidovre. Pierre came on at halftime and made an immediate impact. With Lyngby down 1-0 in the 51st minute, Pierre would rise highest on an in-swinging free kick from the left wing, beating the on-rushing goalkeeper to the ball and heading it into an open goal. Pierre won five of his six aerial duels and made four clearances en route to a home win. The 18-year-old has made the most of his minutes in Denmark, scoring three goals in 165 minutes played, along with only conceding one goal during that time. 

Brenden Aaronson (Medford, N.J) – The former Union midfielder recorded his second assist in as many games in Leeds United’s 3-0 home win over Wolves on Saturday. In the 20th minute, Aaronson took space down the right wing after intercepting a pass and swung in a beautifully weighted low cross to Noah Okafor, who made no mistake at the back post. The American’s pass was perfectly placed between the backline and the goalkeeper. The goal came just two minutes after Leeds scored the opener, and made Saturday’s win a comfortable one as Leeds moved eight points clear of the relegation zone. It was quite the week for Aaronson, as he assisted on the winning goal by Okafor on Monday, in a historical win at Manchester United, and followed that up with another assist and a strong performance on Saturday.

Mikael Uhre – The former Union striker will miss the remainder of FC Midtjylland’s season with a thigh injury. Uhre was reportedly set to start against his former side, Brondby, on April 12, but sustained an injury during the final training session before the match. Uhre struggled to find his footing back in his home country since leaving the Union as a free agent this winter. The 31-year-old was held scoreless in nine games across three competitions for Midtjylland. Uhre will miss the final six games of the season, which includes the Danish Cup Final. 

Auston Trusty – The former Union center back started and played all 120 minutes in Celtic’s 6-2 Scottish FA Cup Semifinal victory over St. Mirren on Sunday. Celtic exploded for four goals in the first half of extra time, with Trusty and his defensive partners keeping St. Mirren at bay in the additional period. The American has started Celtic’s last three matches, playing every minute, after missing most of March due to suspension. Celtic will play Dunfermline Athletic in the Final on Saturday, May 23. Trusty won the Scottish Premiership and League Cup in his first season with Celtic last year, but was left on the bench in his side’s Scottish FA Cup Final loss to Aberdeen.

Other Notables 

– Samuel Adeniran played all 90 minutes in LASK’s 1-1 home draw with Sturm Graz on Sunday.

– Mark McKenzie (Bear, Del.) was suspended for Toulouse’s 3-2 home loss to Lens on Friday. He will also miss the Coupe de France Semifinal against Lens on Tuesday, April 21. 

– Kai Wagner played the full 90 minutes for Birmingham City as they came back to earn a 1-1 draw at Hull City on Saturday.

What’s Next

– Neil Pierre and Lyngby travel to Hillerod in the 1. Division Promotion Group on Tuesday, April 21, at 2 p.m. ET. They then host Esbjerg on Friday, April 24, at 1 p.m. ET. 

– Samuel Adeniran and LASK visit Sturm Graz on Wednesday, April 22, at 2:30 p.m. ET. They then visit Hartberg on Sunday, April 26, at 8:30 a.m. ET.

– Kai Wagner and Birmingham City host Preston North End on Wednesday, April 22, at 2:45 p.m. ET. They then host Bristol City on Saturday, April 25, at 10 a.m. ET.

– Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United visit Bournemouth on Wednesday, April 22, at 3 p.m. ET. They then play Chelsea at Wembley Stadium for a spot in the FA Cup Final on Sunday, April 26, at 10 a.m. ET.

– Jamiro Monteiro hopes to return from a long-term injury as PEC Zwolle travels to Eredivisie champions PSV on Thursday, April 23, at 3 p.m. ET. 

– Auston Trusty and Celtic host Falkirk on Saturday, April 25, at 12:30 p.m. ET.

– Mark McKenzie returns from suspension as Toulouse hosts Monaco on Saturday, April 25, at 3:05 p.m. ET.

– Stuart Findlay and Hearts travel to Hibernian on Sunday, April 26, at 11:30 a.m. ET.