Brenden Aaronson will be returning to Leeds United next season as he prepares to help Daniel Farke’s side get promoted, but last night his focus was on USA’s clash against Brazil.
The 23-year-old has surprised all following reports that emerged this week. Many expected all of those who have used Victor Orta’s loan clause to be sold by the club, with fans not happy they jumped ship.
But after an indifferent loan at Bundesliga side Union Berlin, USA star Aaronson has opted to return to Leeds. He has rejected other clubs and Union to do so, feeling he has ‘unfinished business’ in Yorkshire.
It makes sense financially, too. Aaronson is hardly worth anything close to his original £25m fee, so selling him would mean Leeds make a loss on Aaronson and in the eyes of Financial Fairplay, that’s a big no-no.
So, Aaronson is back at Leeds but on Wednesday night, he came off the bench for the final 15 minutes of USA’s 1-1 draw with Brazil in Orlando. Brazil opened the scoring, largely thanks to a familiar Leeds face.
USA media impressed by Aaronson cameo amid Leeds return
Yunus Musah cracked one off the bar from 25 yards after four minutes, but Raphinha found Rodrygo soon after with a neat pass and the Real Madrid star finished superbly to give Brazil the lead last night.
However, Milan’s Christian Pulisic made it 1-1 soon after. A free-kick right on the line of the penalty area, driven low under the wall past Alisson. Aaronson was given the last 15 minutes by boss Gregg Berhalter.
Indeed, Aaronson had the chance to win the game late on, the ball pulled back to Aaronson and from close range he was denied by Liverpool’s Alisson. CBS Sports gave a rating of 6/10, after a solid cameo.
They said that Aaronson gave what was asked of him: “Almost had a winner in the match but was denied by Alisson from close range. Just the kind of performance that you want coming off the bench.”
Leeds man Aaronson now preparing for Copa America with USA
While the majority of Leeds players are going to return for pre-season training towards the end of the month and early July, those in action for their countries this summer will be given extended leave.
Aaronson is one of those, as he prepares to fight for the Copa America trophy. The United States will host the tournament and USA take on Bolivia, Panama and then Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay in the groups.
USA will back themselves to get out of the group, with Aaronson’s men and Bielsa expected to take the top two spots. But from then on in, Argentina and Brazil, will be favourites to go and lift the trophy.