Leeds United loanee Brenden Aaronson has been criticised for showing the all too familiar flaws in his game for USA on Tuesday night.
In player ratings by both MLS Soccer and Goal, it was pointed out that Aaronson was often ‘bullied’ and ‘sloppy’ in possession in the final third.
Aaronson started on the bench for the US in their clash with Ghana during the early hours of this morning, but was brought on as a half-time substitute.
USA were already 4-0 ahead by the time Aaronson took to the field of play, thanks to a brace from Giovanni Reyna, as well as further goals from Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun.
Following Aaronson and Weston McKennie’s introduction, there were no more goals in the game, in what was a lacklustre second half with the game already put to bed.
Aaronson criticised for familiar flaws
In MLS Soccer’s post-match piece, they claimed that Aaronson would often get himself into good positions, before letting himself down with wastefulness.
They wrote: “Aaronson found himself in good positions in the final third, but often let himself down with a few sloppy touches. He had a couple of enticing passes into the box, but overall couldn’t find a breakthrough to increase the Americans’ lead.”
Goal also pointed out a lot of the similar issues he faced at Leeds: “As always, plenty of energy, but was bullied off the ball a bit too easily.”
It just feels like Aaronson is not improving on the weaknesses he quite clearly has in any way, with sloppiness in the final third, and being bullied off the ball things that have been happening for 12 months now.
Aaronson’s goals and assists numbers for an attacking midfielder since his move to Leeds, particularly at club level, make for excruciating reading considering the price that was paid for him.
While these poor numbers do come from technical issues, a lot of it is also to do with just how weak he is when on the ball.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
