Brenden Aaronson helped the United States secure a 2-1 win over Paraguay overnight, with the Leeds United star starting his first game for Mauricio Pochettino’s side since June.
Aaronson, 25, had been on the fringes of Mauricio Pochettino’s squad in the last few months, with the American not even included in the squad during the September break. But last night, Aaronson started.
His first start for the USMNT since a Gold Cup win over Haiti in June. Interestingly, Pochettino used a 3-4-3 system that incorporated two 10’s behind striker Folarin Balogun, a role which was given to Aaronson.
The other no.10, Gio Reyna, scored the first goal before Paraguay pegged the United States back before half-time. A fairly even contest, Monaco’s Balogun netted the winner, with Aaronson lasting 80 minutes.
How US media described Leeds star Aaronson’s display in 2-1 win
Aaronson had been in slightly-improved form in a Leeds shirt before the international break, despite fans calling for him to come out of the starting line-up. He has a goal and an assist in his last three games.
While he was unable to add to that during Saturday night’s win over Paraguay, NBC described his display as one of his better outings for the USMNT, handing Aaronson a rating of 7 for his display on the night.
“One of his brighter days in a USMNT shirt. He’s in good form for Leeds and he was sharper than usual here. Still not as precise with his passing and shooting as you’d like but the energy and smarts are there.”
ESPN were also in attendance to watch Aaronson win his 55th cap for the United States, and they were also full of praise for the £25m Leeds signing. Another 7/10 rating, the author of “line-breaking passes”.
“A quiet start to the game that then developed into a proactive performance in the second half,” ESPN reported on Aaronson. “Connected well with the midfield and provided some line-breaking passes.”
However, GOAL only handed Aaronson a rating of 6/10, declaring that the Leeds star got “absolutely mauled” during the first half of the 2-1 win. They suggested a lack of physicality was also evident.
“Got absolutely mauled all through the first half, but kept getting back up. Had a few good moments on the ball, but was generally knocked down before they turned into much,” GOAL shared, on Aaronson.
Next up for Leeds’ Brenden Aaronson, Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay
The start against Paraguay will have come as a really positive sign for the versatile Leeds star, ahead of a home World Cup next summer. Aaronson will feel he was right to ignore interest from German clubs.
Up next for Aaronson and Pochettino, is Bielsa’s Uruguay on Wednesday at midnight. Aaronson didn’t actually play under Bielsa while at Leeds, joining the Whites six months after Bielsa had been sacked.
Brenden Aaronson’s stats for USA v Paraguay:
- 80 minutes played, 6.7 FotMob rating
- 2/5 successful dribbles, 2 touches in Paraguay box, dispossessed 3 times
- 46 touches, 19/27 successful passes, 2 passes into final third
- 2 interceptions, 1 recovery, 1 clearance
- 6/14 duels won, fouled three times
Bielsa was actually the man who identified Aaronson as a signing for Leeds, prior to his sacking. That summer, Leeds landed the American. Now, Bielsa and Aaronson will meet for the first time.
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