MLS Exports: Checking in with players and prospects abroad

Greg Seltzer


<strong>Aaron Schoenfeld</strong><br> CLB: 2012-15	The Maccabi Tel Aviv striker is still battling a foot injury that has rendered him unavailable for the champs' 3-0-1 start to their title defense.


<strong>George Fochive</strong><br> POR: 2014-15	The defensive midfielder has ably worked every minute of Hapoel Hadera's solid 2-1-1 start to the new Ligat Ha'al season. Thanks to consecutive wins over Hapoel Ra'anana and Hapoel Haifa, Fochive and friends are up to fourth place.


<strong>Emery Welshman</strong><br> TOR: 2013	The Hapoel Haifa striker is back to full training and pushing for a recall after missing three games due to injury. Welshman is aiming to rejoin a team off to a solid sixth place start through the first four games.

Norway


<strong>Sam Adekugbe</strong><br> VAN: 2013-17	The Valerenga left back's full shift streak has reached 11 games, but the club is struggling. Their win drought hit eight following Sunday's 4-0 surrender to rude guests Viking.


<strong>Oyvind Alseth</strong><br> TOR: 2017	After being left to watch from the dugout four straight times, Alseth reclaimed the right back spot for a 1-0 loss at Stromsgodset two weekends ago. However, he was back on the bench for Sunday's 1-1 share with Bodo/Glimt.

Scotland


<strong>Niko Hamalainen</strong><br> LAFC: 2019	The young left back helped loan employers Kilmarnock post clean sheets (2-0-1) in each of his first three full shifts, earning good reviews from the fans. That bubble was burst by Sunday's 3-1 loss at Celtic. Killie stand seventh through six matches.


<strong>Matt Polster</strong><br> CHI: 2015-18	Stuck well behind ink starter James Tavernier, the Ranger right back has yet to dress for a league contest and hasn't appeared in any competition for over a month now. As for the Light Blues, they're three points back of Celtic in second place and off to a winning start in Europa League Group G.


<strong>Ian Harkes</strong><br> DC: 2017-18	The Dundee United midfielder bagged his first goal of the season in their 6-2 derby demolition of local rivals Dundee FC on August 30. The next round, Harkes came off the bench for 24 minutes as the Tangerines' perfect start ended with a 2-0 loss at Ayr. He was back in the line-up to face Airbroath this past weekend, and narrowly missed scoring again with a corner kick header. The early second flight leaders rallied late for a 2-1 victory to get back on track.

Ian Harkes DC: 2017-18

The Dundee United midfielder bagged his first goal of the season in their 6-2 derby demolition of local rivals Dundee FC on August 30. The next round, Harkes came off the bench for 24 minutes as the Tangerines' perfect start ended with a 2-0 loss at Ayr. He was back in the line-up to face Airbroath this past weekend, and narrowly missed scoring again with a corner kick header. The early second flight leaders rallied late for a 2-1 victory to get back on track.

Another month has passed, which means it's time once again for a fresh update on all the Major League Soccer products playing soccer around the globe.

While several players have become popular with the injury bug of late, the likes of Tyler Adams, Geoff Cameron and DeAndre Yedlin have either passed fit from layoffs or are about to.

Elsewhere, Canada strike ace Cyle Larin is heating up in Belgium, while young Americans Richie Ledezma and Giovanni Reyna are threatening to break out big time.

England


<strong>DeAndre Yedlin</strong><br> SEA: 2013-14	The US right back has been back in full training for two weeks, and Newcastle boss Steve Bruce says he's pushing for a return to the selection. The goal-shy Magpies are off to a 1-3-2 start to the season and have already been eliminated from the League Cup.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NUFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NUFC</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USMNT?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USMNT</a> back DeAndre Yedlin details his painful road back from an injury that bothered him for 18 months <a href="https://t.co/Mr96yfCZI6">https://t.co/Mr96yfCZI6</a></p> — NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSportsSoccer/status/1174040164655648768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2019</a></blockquote>

DeAndre Yedlin SEA: 2013-14

The US right back has been back in full training for two weeks, and Newcastle boss Steve Bruce says he's pushing for a return to the selection. The goal-shy Magpies are off to a 1-3-2 start to the season and have already been eliminated from the League Cup.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NUFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NUFC</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USMNT?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USMNT</a> back DeAndre Yedlin details his painful road back from an injury that bothered him for 18 months <a href="https://t.co/Mr96yfCZI6">https://t.co/Mr96yfCZI6</a> — NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSportsSoccer/status/1174040164655648768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2019</a></blockquote>


<strong>Tim Ream</strong><br> RBNY: 2010-11	Since our last check, Ream and Fulham have battled to consecutive 1-1 draws with Cardiff City, West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield Wednesday. Through seven games, the US defender leads the Championship with a passing percentage of nearly 95 percent (over three percent higher than the guy in second place). Meanwhile, a four-game win drought has seen the Cottagers slip to five points off the top in 12th.

Tim Ream RBNY: 2010-11

Since our last check, Ream and Fulham have battled to consecutive 1-1 draws with Cardiff City, West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield Wednesday. Through seven games, the US defender leads the Championship with a passing percentage of nearly 95 percent (over three percent higher than the guy in second place). Meanwhile, a four-game win drought has seen the Cottagers slip to five points off the top in 12th.


<strong>Geoff Cameron</strong><br> HOU: 2008-12	A hamstring knock forced the QPR veteran to miss three straight games, but he returned on Saturday to work 33 minutes in a 2-1 victory at Millwall. A four-game winning run has the Loftus Road crew up to fifth place, one point back of league leader Leeds United.


<strong>Matt Miazga</strong><br> RBNY: 2013-15	The Reading center back has missed their last three league games (all losses), plus a second round EFL Cup win at Plymouth, with a hamstring ailment. Miazga resumed full training on Friday, so he could be ready for a return at Swansea City this weekend.


<strong>Matthew Olosunde</strong><br> RBNY academy	On the last day of August, Olosunde notched his first Rotherham assist in a 1-1 share with Tranmere Rovers. The right back picked up another helper in their 6-1 rout of Bolton two rounds later. He'd played every minute of their first seven league tilts before missing Saturday's draw against Shrewsbury with a hamstring complaint.


<strong>Chituru Odunze</strong><br> Whitecaps academy	After dropping his first two decisions in goal for Leicester City's Under-18 side, Odunze notched his first career win with a 1-0 shutout of Arsenal on September 14. The 16-year-old followed that up with a 5-1 victory at Swansea City this past weekend.


<strong>Damian Las</strong><br> Chicago Fire academy	Earlier this month, the US Under-17 goalkeeper sealed a deal to join Fulham's youth ranks.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Another American to add to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FFC</a> ranks... 🇺🇸<br><br> We're pleased to welcome Damian Las from <a href="https://twitter.com/ChicagoFire?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChicagoFire</a>.</p> — Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/FulhamFC/status/1171385419126267904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2019</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Damian Las Chicago Fire academy

Earlier this month, the US Under-17 goalkeeper sealed a deal to join Fulham's youth ranks.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Another American to add to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FFC</a> ranks... 🇺🇸 We're pleased to welcome Damian Las from <a href="https://twitter.com/ChicagoFire?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChicagoFire</a>. — Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/FulhamFC/status/1171385419126267904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2019</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<strong>Augustus McGiff</strong><br> NYCFC	A couple weeks back, the 17-year-old attacker made the move to join Reading's academy.

Germany


<strong>Weston McKennie</strong><br> FC Dallas academy	Prior to the international break, McKennie put on his best display of the new Bundesliga season in Schalke's 3-0 home win over Hertha Berlin. Since returning from USMNT duty, he's come off the bench for the final 28 minutes of a 5-1 stroll past Paderborn and rejoined the line-up for Friday's 2-1 defeat of Mainz 05. The win streak has lifted the Miners up to fifth place.


<strong>Tyler Adams</strong><br> RBNY: 2016-18	The RB Leipzig midfield hound has resumed individual training, and the club are hoping he'll be cleared to rejoin the full group this week. Watching from the stands hasn't been all bad for Adams, as the team sit in the Bundesliga penthouse after five games and kicked off Champions league group stage play with a big 2-1 victory at Benfica.


<strong>Alphonso Davies</strong><br> VAN: 2016-18	The Bayern Munich phenom scored his first goal of the season to put the cherry on a 6-1 victory over Mainz 05 on August 31. Davies made his third sub appearance of the season after the international break, working 28 minutes of a 1-1 draw at RB Leipzig. The Bavarians got the speedster extra minutes by starting him at left back in the reserve team's 3. Liga tilt against Ingolstadt on Sunday, and he responded by setting up the second half winner.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Alphonso Davies with the assist btw. You absolutely love to see it. <a href="https://t.co/l6nWuMBIZj">pic.twitter.com/l6nWuMBIZj</a></p> — Taisto (@TaistoFCB) <a href="https://twitter.com/TaistoFCB/status/1175774371023085569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2019</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Alphonso Davies VAN: 2016-18

The Bayern Munich phenom scored his first goal of the season to put the cherry on a 6-1 victory over Mainz 05 on August 31. Davies made his third sub appearance of the season after the international break, working 28 minutes of a 1-1 draw at RB Leipzig. The Bavarians got the speedster extra minutes by starting him at left back in the reserve team's 3. Liga tilt against Ingolstadt on Sunday, and he responded by setting up the second half winner.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Alphonso Davies with the assist btw. You absolutely love to see it. <a href="https://t.co/l6nWuMBIZj">pic.twitter.com/l6nWuMBIZj</a> — Taisto (@TaistoFCB) <a href="https://twitter.com/TaistoFCB/status/1175774371023085569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2019</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<strong>Zack Steffen</strong><br> CLB: 2016-19	September has been rather trying for the Fortuna Duesseldorf loan 'keeper. The early strugglers fell at Eintracht Frankfurt and played to a 1-1 draw against Wolfsburg leading up to Sunday's trip to Borussia Moenchengladbach. The visitors suffered a 2-1 defeat, but Steffen earned his <a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/09/23/zack-steffen-continues-impress-bundesliga-grabs-kicker-team-week-nod">second Bundesliga Eleven of the Week</a> nod of the young season for pulling off an array of big stops.

Zack Steffen CLB: 2016-19

September has been rather trying for the Fortuna Duesseldorf loan 'keeper. The early strugglers fell at Eintracht Frankfurt and played to a 1-1 draw against Wolfsburg leading up to Sunday's trip to Borussia Moenchengladbach. The visitors suffered a 2-1 defeat, but Steffen earned his <a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/09/23/zack-steffen-continues-impress-bundesliga-grabs-kicker-team-week-nod">second Bundesliga Eleven of the Week</a> nod of the young season for pulling off an array of big stops.


<strong>Khiry Shelton</strong><br> NYC: 2015-17<br> SKC: 2018	Both injuries and illness have conspired to keep the Paderborn forward for dressing for a full month now. Shelton should be back in the reckoning for Saturday's testing visit from Bayern Munich. The club could use his help, as they sit bottom through five rounds.


<strong>Sebastian Soto</strong><br> RSL academy	As no progress has been made on extending a contract that expires next summer, it was a bit surprising to see the young striker still with Hannover 96 through the transfer deadline. Less surprising is the fact that Soto has not suited up for any of the Reds' three September contests to date. It's a solid bet that he'll finally be on the move this winter.


<strong>Kianz Froese</strong><br> VAN: 2014-17	Up until Saabruecken closed August with a 2-0 win at Mainz 05 II (and a seven-game win streak), Froese operated from the No. 10 spot. He's dropped into a deeper central midfield role during their three September games, which produced an even 1-1-1 split. Ten games into the term, The westerners are tops in Regionalliga Südwest.


<strong>Chris Richards</strong><br> FC Dallas academy	Since the last check, the Bayern Munich II defender worked every minute at right back in a home loss to Unterhaching, a draw at Sonnenhof and Sunday's 2-1 win over Ingolstadt.


<strong>Taylor Booth</strong><br> RSL academy	The Bayern Munich Under-19 midfielder remains on the mend and in wait of his season debut. Booth has started training to the side.


<strong>Michael Edwards</strong><br> D.C. United academy	After stretching his run of 90-minute outings to seven games during a 1-1-1 run to open September, the Wolfsburg II center back watched Sunday's harsh 4-1 loss at Altona from the dugout. The junior Wolves are still top of the table after 11 games.


<strong>Ulysses Llanez</strong><br> LA Galaxy academy	The Wolfsburg Under-19 talent has been slowed by a foot injury, missing the club's fifth straight win out of the season blocks at Energie Cottbus and a loss to Hannover 96 since the last update. The team stills stand atop the Under-19 Bundesliga after six games.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Highlights of Ulysses Llanez's 2 goals and 1 assist from Wolfsburg U19s season opener yesterday ⚽️⚽️🅰️ <a href="https://t.co/2XgPcqJxhS">pic.twitter.com/2XgPcqJxhS</a></p> — Future USMNT (@FutureUsmnt) <a href="https://twitter.com/FutureUsmnt/status/1161009085845839873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2019</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Ulysses Llanez LA Galaxy academy

The Wolfsburg Under-19 talent has been slowed by a foot injury, missing the club's fifth straight win out of the season blocks at Energie Cottbus and a loss to Hannover 96 since the last update. The team stills stand atop the Under-19 Bundesliga after six games.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">Highlights of Ulysses Llanez's 2 goals and 1 assist from Wolfsburg U19s season opener yesterday ⚽️⚽️🅰️ <a href="https://t.co/2XgPcqJxhS">pic.twitter.com/2XgPcqJxhS</a> — Future USMNT (@FutureUsmnt) <a href="https://twitter.com/FutureUsmnt/status/1161009085845839873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2019</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<strong>Giovanni Reyna</strong><br> NYCFC academy	The fun has continued for the Borussia Dortmund Under-19 fast starter in September. First, in a surprise move, Reyna was added to the BvB Champions League roster for the group stage. Last Monday, Reyna popped up at the back post for the second half equalizer in the U-19 team's 2-1 rally win over Barcelona to kick off UEFA Youth League group stage play. After a few days away training with the first team, the 17-year-old notched a cracking goal and an assist in Sunday's 6-1 humbling of U-19 Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Gio Reyna’s equalizer for Dortmund vs Barca <a href="https://t.co/Dl9ya9AoxC">pic.twitter.com/Dl9ya9AoxC</a></p> — Sanjiv (@USMNTvideos) <a href="https://twitter.com/USMNTvideos/status/1173980700497850368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2019</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Giovanni Reyna NYCFC academy

The fun has continued for the Borussia Dortmund Under-19 fast starter in September. First, in a surprise move, Reyna was added to the BvB Champions League roster for the group stage. Last Monday, Reyna popped up at the back post for the second half equalizer in the U-19 team's 2-1 rally win over Barcelona to kick off UEFA Youth League group stage play. After a few days away training with the first team, the 17-year-old notched a cracking goal and an assist in Sunday's 6-1 humbling of U-19 Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">Gio Reyna’s equalizer for Dortmund vs Barca <a href="https://t.co/Dl9ya9AoxC">pic.twitter.com/Dl9ya9AoxC</a> — Sanjiv (@USMNTvideos) <a href="https://twitter.com/USMNTvideos/status/1173980700497850368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2019</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<strong>Marcus Godinho</strong><br> TFC academy	A hand fracture kept the Canada right back sidelined for Zwickau's games right before and just after the international break. After dressing for a loss at Uerdingen two weeks back, Godinho was again unavailable for Sunday's 3. Liga draw at Hansa Rostock. The Swans are 12th through nine rounds.


<strong>Gabriel Boakye</strong><br> TFC academy	The 21-year-old FC Cologne II winger made his first career Regionalliga West goal an off-the-bench winner and also added an assist on the capper in a 4-2 win over Alemannia Aachen on the final day of August. Boakye then started a win at Haltern and a loss to Borussia Dortmund before entering late to help rally the visitors to a 1-1 share at Homberg this past weekend. Despite dropping five of the last six points, the baby Goats stand fourth after nine games.

Gabriel Boakye TFC academy

The 21-year-old FC Cologne II winger made his first career Regionalliga West goal an off-the-bench winner and also added an assist on the capper in a 4-2 win over Alemannia Aachen on the final day of August. Boakye then started a win at Haltern and a loss to Borussia Dortmund before entering late to help rally the visitors to a 1-1 share at Homberg this past weekend. Despite dropping five of the last six points, the baby Goats stand fourth after nine games.


<strong>Stuart Ritchie</strong><br> Earthquakes academy	The 18-year-old left back has wasted little time making himself comfy in the Hannover 96 Under-19 side's line-up following his summer transfer from Groningen. Following wins over Dynamo Dresden and defending Under-19 Bundesliga champs Wolfsburg the past two weekends, Ritchie has gone all 90 in four straight.

Mexico


<strong>Rogelio Funes Mori</strong><br> FC Dallas academy	The Monterrey striker fired the insurance tally in a 2-0 win over Pumas on August 29. After going without a goal in back-to-back shutout losses against Juarez and Necaxa, Funes Mori was back on the board with his fifth of the season in Sunday's 3-2 triumph over Puebla.


<strong>Rafael Baca</strong><br> SJ: 2011-14	The veteran defensive midfielder had enjoyed just a single 10-minute appearance in Cruz Azul's first eight matches of the Apertura season before breaking back into the lineup the weekend before last. In between full shifts in league draws at Veracruz and Pumas, Baca also went 90 as <i>La Maquina</i> captured the inaugural Leagues Cup with a 2-1 final victory over Tigres on Thursday.


<strong>Tony Alfaro</strong><br> SEA: 2016-18	The Chivas defender started his first six Ascenso MX matches on loan to Zacapetec, but watched from the bench this past weekend as the home side moved level on points with first place by doubling up Correcaminos 2-1.


<strong>Lalo Fernandez</strong><br> RSL: 2012-17	No change here. Fernandez is still sharing that back-up goalkeeper role for Tigres, who are off to a middling start to the Apertura season.

France


<strong>Timothy Weah</strong><br> RBNY academy	The Lille attacker's road to recovery from a hamstring injury has him reaching the training-on-the-side stage. The Great Danes are off to a decent 3-2-1 start in Ligue 1, but dropped their opening Champions League group phase match at Ajax last week.

Netherlands


<b>Haji Wright</b><br> LA Galaxy academy	The VVV Venlo attacker was demoted to the second team for a couple of games in late August, but a hat trick against the Willem II reserves moved him right back into the rotation. In between a pair of sub appearances, Wright made his first start in over a month as the hosts posted a 2-1 win over Groningen on September 14. The Yellow Black Army's roller coaster start to the Eredivisie campaign has them 11th after seven matches.

Haji Wright LA Galaxy academy

The VVV Venlo attacker was demoted to the second team for a couple of games in late August, but a hat trick against the Willem II reserves moved him right back into the rotation. In between a pair of sub appearances, Wright made his first start in over a month as the hosts posted a 2-1 win over Groningen on September 14. The Yellow Black Army's roller coaster start to the Eredivisie campaign has them 11th after seven matches.


<strong>Richie Ledezma</strong><br> RSL academy	After coming up empty in the season's first four games, the Young PSV playmaker (No. 10 in the video below) broke out in a big way to spark a stirring 3-2 victory over AZ Alkmaar on September 13. Ledezma got loose to halve the visitors' lead in the 65th minute and expertly released Amar Catic to net the leveler just seven minutes later. He then capped the rally five minutes from time with a coolly taken lob. After that duck-breaking win and a 1-0 defeat against Cambuur, the junior Farmers sit bottom of the second division table.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Richie Ledezma v Jong AZ highlights focused on defensive actions, chance creation and the goals <a href="https://t.co/ttsd81u4cl">pic.twitter.com/ttsd81u4cl</a></p> — - (@passandmove3) <a href="https://twitter.com/passandmove3/status/1173448017019621377?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2019</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Richie Ledezma RSL academy

After coming up empty in the season's first four games, the Young PSV playmaker (No. 10 in the video below) broke out in a big way to spark a stirring 3-2 victory over AZ Alkmaar on September 13. Ledezma got loose to halve the visitors' lead in the 65th minute and expertly released Amar Catic to net the leveler just seven minutes later. He then capped the rally five minutes from time with a coolly taken lob. After that duck-breaking win and a 1-0 defeat against Cambuur, the junior Farmers sit bottom of the second division table.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">Richie Ledezma v Jong AZ highlights focused on defensive actions, chance creation and the goals <a href="https://t.co/ttsd81u4cl">pic.twitter.com/ttsd81u4cl</a> — - (@passandmove3) <a href="https://twitter.com/passandmove3/status/1173448017019621377?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2019</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<strong>Chris Gloster</strong><br> RBNY academy	The fresh PSV recruit made a 27-minute debut for the reserve side in the win over AZ Alkmaar. Gloster has followed that up with a first start and full shift in the ensuing losses to Young Ajax and Cambuur.


<strong>Alex Mendez</strong><br> LA Galaxy academy	The summer recruit's playing time is steadily going up and his quality of performance with it. Mendez notched his first Young Ajax assist on the last-minute equalizer in their 3-2 rally win over Almere on August 30. Last Monday, the youngster made his first start in the Dutch second flight, going 70 minutes in a 2-0 win over rivals PSV Eindhoven.

Belgium


<strong>Andy Najar</strong><br> DC: 2010-12	The Honduras ace is out until around March following knee surgery, and Anderlecht are also hurting in his absence. The punchless Mauves are 1-5-2 and just two points above the basement.


<strong>Cyle Larin</strong><br> ORL: 2015-17	The Canada striker opened his Zulte-Waregem account in a 1-1 draw at Eupen two weekends back. On Sunday, Larin started a scoring streak with another strong header in a 2-2 draw against Gent. The club are unbeaten in five and up to eighth place.


<strong>Chris Durkin</strong><br> DC: 2017-	The teen midfielder completed a loan move to Sint-Truiden shortly before the transfer window closed at the beginning of the month. Durkin has yet to dress for the first team, who have climbed to 10th place on the back of a four-game unbeaten run.

Spain


<strong>Leonardo Sepulveda</strong><br> Galaxy Academy	After making the move to second flight Salamanca in mid-August, the US Under-18 center back is busy working toward a B side debut.

Spain


<strong>Johan Gomez</strong><br> FCD Academy	On the last day of August, the US Under-20 forward completed a transfer to Porto, where he'll begin with their Under-19 side.


<strong>Patrick Leal</strong><br> Revolution Academy	After a year spent training with the vaunted Sporting CP academy, the 16-year-old midfielder signed a five-year contract to join the Lisbon giants. Leal will start work with their Under-17 team.

Turkey


<strong>Dever Orgill</strong><br> Whitecaps academy	The Jamaica striker has now gone the full 90 in each of Ankaragucu's first five games. Orgill netted his second of the term with a terrific power forward strike to open a 2-1 loss to Fenerbahce on Saturday night.

Denmark


<strong>Christian Cappis</strong><br> FC Dallas academy	The young midfielder is fast becoming an important cog for top flight battlers Hobro. Following Sunday's draw against SonderjyskE, Cappis has started eight straight matches, and went 90 minutes in five of them. Due to having settled for six draws in their first 10 games of the season, Cappis & Co. stand 10th.


<strong>Brandon Onkony</strong><br> TOR/MTL academy	Although he's continued to play 90 minutes every time out for the reserve side, the Hobro defender is still getting some sub minutes for the first team. Onknoy worked 53 minutes as an injury sub in the 2-1 loss at FC Nordsjaellend that wrapped up their August slate and made a late cameo in Hobro's shock 2-1 triumph over FC Copenhagen two Sundays ago.


<strong>Chris Cortez</strong><br> CHV: 2011	Like Bailey, the veteran striker has yet to dress for a first team match since joining Helsingor last month.


<b>Zico Bailey</b><br> LA Galaxy academy	The 18-year-old defender is still working to crack the selection of third flight leaders Helsingor.

Austria


<strong>Erik Palmer-Brown</strong><br> SKC: 2013-17	Since returning from a red card suspension that cost him involvement in the derby loss to Rapid Vienna that opened their September schedule, the Austria Vienna defender has gone the distance in consecutive games. Following a 3-0 loss at Wolfsberger, Palmer-Brown helped the hosts post their first win since opening day with a 2-0 blanking of Altach on Sunday.

China


<strong>Anatole Abang</strong><br> RBNY: 2015-16	After two months on the shelf, the Nantong Zhiyun forward has joined up with the reserves to regain match fitness. The second flight scrappers need him back, as they sit five points shy of a safety slot with four games left to play.

Costa Rica


<strong>Denis Castillo</strong><br> COL: 2016	Perez Zeledon had four league games crammed into the first 11 days of September, and Castillo worked every minute of them. Unfortunately, they went 0-2-2 to start a winless slide. The swoon reached five games when the defender sat out a tough 1-0 midweek loss to Saprissa due to a yellow card ban and then six after he watched Sunday's galling slim home defeat to Guadelupe.

Israel


<strong>Aaron Schoenfeld</strong><br> CLB: 2012-15	The Maccabi Tel Aviv striker is still battling a foot injury that has rendered him unavailable for the champs' 3-0-1 start to their title defense.


<strong>George Fochive</strong><br> POR: 2014-15	The defensive midfielder has ably worked every minute of Hapoel Hadera's solid 2-1-1 start to the new Ligat Ha'al season. Thanks to consecutive wins over Hapoel Ra'anana and Hapoel Haifa, Fochive and friends are up to fourth place.


<strong>Emery Welshman</strong><br> TOR: 2013	The Hapoel Haifa striker is back to full training and pushing for a recall after missing three games due to injury. Welshman is aiming to rejoin a team off to a solid sixth place start through the first four games.

Norway


<strong>Sam Adekugbe</strong><br> VAN: 2013-17	The Valerenga left back's full shift streak has reached 11 games, but the club is struggling. Their win drought hit eight following Sunday's 4-0 surrender to rude guests Viking.


<strong>Oyvind Alseth</strong><br> TOR: 2017	After being left to watch from the dugout four straight times, Alseth reclaimed the right back spot for a 1-0 loss at Stromsgodset two weekends ago. However, he was back on the bench for Sunday's 1-1 share with Bodo/Glimt.

Scotland


<strong>Niko Hamalainen</strong><br> LAFC: 2019	The young left back helped loan employers Kilmarnock post clean sheets (2-0-1) in each of his first three full shifts, earning good reviews from the fans. That bubble was burst by Sunday's 3-1 loss at Celtic. Killie stand seventh through six matches.


<strong>Matt Polster</strong><br> CHI: 2015-18	Stuck well behind ink starter James Tavernier, the Ranger right back has yet to dress for a league contest and hasn't appeared in any competition for over a month now. As for the Light Blues, they're three points back of Celtic in second place and off to a winning start in Europa League Group G.

Ian Harkes DC: 2017-18

Sweden

Romain Gall CLB: 2014-15

The Malmo winger capped August by setting up the lone goal winner at Bnei Yehuda that clinched the 4-0 aggregate victory, which secured a Europa League group stage invite. Nevertheless, Gall managed only a brief cameo in the Sky Blues' next two league games and another in their Europa League group opening loss at Dinamo Kyiv. He made his first Allsvenskan start in over a month to help score Sunday's 3-0 victory at Elfsborg. With three league wins in a row, Malmo are just three points off the top with six rounds to play.


<strong>Bubacarr Jobe</strong><br> TOR academy	Prior to leaving for African World Cup qualifying duty with Gambia, the Mjallby winger closed August by netting the 74th minute decider in a 2-1 win over Frej. Upon his return last Tuesday, Jobe fired his eighth of the season in a 2-1 defeat Degerfors. Thanks to their weekend home loss to Brommapojkarna, the club fell off the summit to stand two points back in third with two matches remaining.


<strong>Ben McKendry</strong><br> VAN: 2016-17	The Canada defensive midfielder was off to a good start with third-flight Nykoping when he suffered a shoulder injury early in a May 26 loss at Umea. McKendry underwent surgery soon thereafter, and was sent to the shelf until at least November. In July, he was allowed out of his contract, making him a free agent.


<strong>Ian Garrett</strong><br> Chicago Fire academy	The Nykoping right-sider hasn't made it off the bench in nine games, in large part due to a 4-0-1 run that has lifted the team out of the relegation zone.

Finland

Tim Murray NE: 2010-12

The Honka goalkeeper backstopped a 1-0 regular season closing day victory at Kokkolan that clinched their berth in the Veikkausliiga championship playoffs. Murray finished fourth on the clean sheet chart with eight. He then stayed stingy in a 2-0 win at Ilves in the first game of that hexagonal, and made it three wins on the trot with a 3-1 home decision over HJK on Saturday. The club's hot from has them five points off the league lead with three rounds left.


<strong>Jonas Hakkinen</strong><br> Whitecaps academy	Despite a 3-2 win over HIFK on the final day of the Veikkausliiga regular season, Hakkinen and VPS finished last in the table. The young defender made it three 90-minute shifts in a row as they opened the relegation playoffs with a draw and a loss to all but ensure falling through the trap door.

Czech Republic


<strong>Luis Gil</strong><br> RSL: 2010-15 ORL: 2017 COL: 2017 HOU: 2018	The Viktoria Zizkov midfielder nodded home his second goal of the season in a 3-3 draw at SK Lisen on the last day of August. Gil and friends have dropped two in a row since then, slipping to sixth in the second flight.

Latvia


<strong>Richie Ennin</strong><br> TOR academy	The Canada youth international appeared in just one of Spartaks Jurmula's three games since our last check-in, working 20 minutes in a loss at RFS. Thanks to a weekend win that snapped their three-game losing skid, the club are four points out of the Virsliga's last Europa League slot with five games to play.

Guatemala


<strong>Nicolas Samayoa</strong><br> HOU: 2018	The Comunicaciones defender went the distance in a win over Iztapa on the first of the month, and then again in a loss at Guastatoya two weekends back. Samayoa and Co. stand three points off the top through nine rounds. They also will begin their Concacaf League quarterfinal tie at Honduran power Olimpia Friday.

Vietnam


<strong>Victor Mansaray</strong><br> SEA: 2015	Following Friday's 4-1 rout of Sai Gon, Mansaray and his Ho Chi Minh City teammates are locked in for a second place finish. They'll close the league slate with an October 4 visit from Hoang Anh Gia Lai, but are also to the final four of the Vietnamese Cup. If they can win it, they'll clinch the first AFC Champions League group stage place in club history.