Plenty of Leeds United players have been in action this week for their countries as Daniel Farke waits for his stars to return ahead of next Saturday’s clash against Burnley.
Mateo Joseph scored for Spain’s U21 side against Jeremiah Mullen’s Scotland. Junior Firpo played as a striker for The Dominican Republic in a 3-2 Nations League win over Bermuda, lasting the 90 minutes.
Max Wober, Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev, Ao Tanaka, Manor Solomon and Joe Rodon have also been in action. Brenden Aaronson was added to that list on Saturday evening as USA took on Canada in Kansas.
Aaronson was handed only his second start in more than a year for the United States having struggled to produce his best form since joining Leeds. But he’s started this season well having return to Elland Road.
USA media critical of Aaronson on return to starting XI
It was only Aaronson’s second start since the CONCACAF Nations League final in 2023. His £25m move to Leeds in 2022 has seen his promising career, which included Champions League football, start to dwindle.
Criticism in a Leeds shirt, following by relegation, jumping ship to Union Berlin and struggling in Germany has been reflected in his international career. But a promising start back at Leeds saw Aaronson start.
It ended up being a 2-1 defeat to Jesse Marsch’s Canada however, with 23-year-old Aaronson lasting 77 minutes. GOAL gave Aaronson a rating of just 5/10, saying he didn’t really do much to impact the game.
“Just didn’t really do much of anything. He wasn’t bad, particularly compared to some of his teammates, but he didn’t make many positive things happen, either,” GOAL said, in their USMNT player ratings piece.
Aaronson’s USA stats and why he might not start v Burnley
According to FotMob, Aaronson was dispossessed three times on the night. Second-worst of any player on the pitch behind teammate Malik Tillman, while managing to win only two of his seven duels.
He missed two tackles, too. Not a great showing from Aaronson who remains Leeds’ top goalscorer this season with two against Portsmouth on the opening day, and the first of two at Sheffield Wednesday.
Aaronson will now be preparing for USA’s second game of the break against Mexico next Wednesday, just 48 hours before Leeds then face Burnley. It might see Aaronson unavailable to play against Burnley.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
