Brenden Aaronson was recalled by Mauricio Pochettino to the United States Men’s National Team during the October break, with the Leeds United star missing out in September.
A big boost for Aaronson, but the least he deserved, after starting all four games between the September and October breaks. Aaronson has earned his starting spot under Daniel Farke in the last few weeks.
However, Aaronson was an unused sub for USA in their first game of the break, a 1-1 draw with Ecuador. The feeling was that, having failed to play against Ecuador, he would start against Australia this morning.
Pochettino’s side faced Australia at DSG Park in the early hours of Wednesday morning, but Aaronson was only a substitute again. However, he did come on just after the hour mark as USA secured a narrow win.
What US media are saying about Brenden Aaronson
Pochettino watched his side go behind to Australia’s impressive Feyenoord left-back Jordan Bos, but in-form Coventry star Haji Wright scored a goal either side of half-time to put the Americans 2-1 ahead.
The scoreline remained the same, but they should have extended their lead largely due to the creation of Aaronson. After coming on, he fed Leeds transfer target Diego Luna with a gorgeous pass in the box.
Luna failed to score from close range; his effort was saved. USA media were impressed with Aaronson, who initially came on as a wing-back before being moved centrally. GOAL gave Aaronson a 7/10:
“It looked like a big moment passed him by, but Aaronson picked out Luna for what could have been, and arguably should have been, a goal – decent work from the Leeds midfielder,” GOAL said on Aaronson.
Another US outlet, Pro Soccer Wire, gave a more in-depth analysis of Aaronson’s cameo role. They say the £25m Leeds man was a “threat” and “showed he belongs” in Pochettino’s side, even if it isn’t as a starter.
“Aaronson replaced Weah, intriguingly taking up the same role as the Marseille man. However, 12 minutes later (and before his ad hoc wingback skills could be truly tested), he moved into a central role.
“He immediately did superbly to carve out a chance for Luna, who couldn’t punch home from inside the six-yard box. It’s a crowded position, but Aaronson showed he belongs in the mix in limited minutes.”
Aaronson cameo comes as a surprise boost for Leeds
Farke will have been watching on, or waking up on Wednesday morning, eagerly searching for news on Aaronson. He will have been fearing a 90-minute display, just three days before Burnley on Saturday.
The fear was that Aaronson could have played all 90 minutes against Australia, little over 72 hours before the trip to Burnley, in which the midfielder would also have to deal with jet lag and do a recovery day.
Aaronson might have expected to start, having remained an unused sub against Ecuador, and yet, the Leeds star will be fresh and ready to go at Burnley after playing less than 30 minutes on Wednesday.
Aaronson won’t require a rest day in training now; he will be able to return to Yorkshire today and be ready in time to face Burnley on Saturday. Willy Gnonto is set to be fit, but Aaronson deserves to start.
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