Syracuse men’s soccer: Tajon Buchanan starts for Villarreal in UCL

Tajon Buchanan, a former Syracuse Orange soccer player, started for Villarreal in their Champions League match against Tottenham Hotspur, which resulted in a 1-0 defeat for Villarreal.

Buchanan has been a standout performer for Villarreal this season, scoring three goals in a hat trick against Girona and regularly starting as a left winger, making him an integral part of the team's lineup.

The match's sole goal came from an unfortunate own goal by Villarreal's Luiz Junior, who mishandled a difficult shot from Tottenham's Richarlison. Buchanan was substituted in the 82nd minute after a quiet performance, mirroring Villarreal's overall attacking struggles, as they failed to register a single shot on target despite taking 10 attempts. The game was defensively oriented, with Tottenham posing little threat beyond the own goal, and a late handball incident added drama but did not change the outcome.

Despite this loss, Villarreal is enjoying a strong season, currently sitting third in La Liga with only one defeat so far. Their upcoming fixtures include a league match against Athletic Bilbao, followed by a crucial game against Real Madrid, and further Champions League encounters with Juventus and Manchester City.

Buchanan has also excelled internationally, playing a key role in Canada's recent friendly victories over Romania and Wales during the international break, contributing to wins even without scoring or assisting.