Oh Brother: Leicester City Loanee Sunk In Sibling Derby

FC Utrecht beat FC Volendam in the Eredivisie this weekend in a game that bubbled with sibling rivalry.

Voelndam are deep in the relegation mire, seven points from safety, and desperate for something from the game against the mid-table also-rans, Utrecht. After just nine minutes, Zach Booth grabbed an opener for them, giving them some hope.

19-year-old Booth is on loan from Championship side Leicester City, having joined their academy from Real Salt Lake City. Capped to Under 19 level, booth scored his first goal in 14 outings to give his side a chance of three points.

On 38 minutes, Utrecht levelled, and it must have been a real stinger for Zach because the scorer was none other than Taylor Booth, his brother! 22-year-old Taylor also started out at Real Salt Lake City, but he moved to Bayern Munich before his brother crossed the Atlantic. He has been capped by the USMNT twice and has turned out 41 times for Utrecht.

The game seemed finely poised, but it was Taylor who came away with brotherly bragging rights. Nick Viergever put the home side ahead, a change in fortune for him after his dimissal six minutes into their encounter earlier in the season.  Struggling Volendam pulled it level again through former Portsmouth youngster, Josh Flint, but it was only a glimmer of hope soon snatched away. A point wouldn’t have been a disaster for Volendam, but Taylor ensured it will be tense the next time the Booth family get together, adding two more. He got his hattrick, Utrecht won 4-2.

The result leaves Domstedelingen just three points outside the European qualification play-off places, with a game against Fortuna, one place above them, next up. As for Volendam and Zach Taylor, survival is looking less likely, with undefeated leaders PSV up next. After that, two huge matches loom against Vitesse and Heereneveen, two more of the bottom six sides.

Site Opinion

Zach Taylor is gaining valuable experience on loan at Volendam, not least experiencing a relegation battle. It’s one his side looks unlikely to win – they’ve only been victorious on three occasions this season, once against ten-man Utrecht, and they’ve lost eight of their last 11 matches.

With PSV next, and a final three fixtures against Ajax, Twente and Go Ahead Eagles, all sides in the European mix, it could be a spell in the Eerste Divisie after a three-season stay in the top flight.