Brenden Aaronson’s Journey: Proving Himself on the Pitch
After a year-long loan to Union Berlin, American midfielder Brenden Aaronson has returned to Leeds United, driven by a burning desire to prove himself once again. The 23-year-old’s decision to rejoin the Championship team was not taken lightly, but he felt an unshakeable sense of unfinished business.
Aaronson’s initial stint with Leeds began in May 2022, when he signed a five-year contract with the club. However, after a year in England, he was loaned out to the Bundesliga side, where he made 38 appearances and contributed two goals and two assists. Now, he’s back at Leeds, determined to make a lasting impact.
Since his return, Aaronson has been on fire, recording two goals and one assist in just 10 appearances, earning him the team’s Player of the Month award for August. His impressive performance in his first competitive match back at Elland Road, where he scored the equalizer in a 3-3 draw against Portsmouth, has set the tone for his season.
Aaronson admits that the initial weeks back at Leeds were mentally challenging, with some fans expressing disappointment. However, he’s proud of himself for persevering and proving his worth once again. “I’ve come back and done really well. I won Player of the Month, which is really good for me. And that was a really great start. And now I just want to keep building and keep scoring and assisting and yeah, just keep getting better,” he said.
As Aaronson shifts his focus to the USMNT, he’s excited to work under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino. The team has already begun learning from the experienced coach, adopting a high-intensity style of play that emphasizes possession and confidence. “We’ve already learned a lot,” Aaronson said. “We want to play at a high intensity. We want to play in the other team’s half. We want to have possession of the ball. He wants a confident team and that’s what we’re going to be.”
The USMNT is set to face Panama on October 12 at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, followed by a match against Concacaf rivals Mexico in Guadalajara. Aaronson is thrilled to return to Austin, where the team has enjoyed a winning streak, and is eager to feed off the energy of the fans. “We always seem to play well in Austin and have good games, so it’s always great coming back,” he said. With his sights set on success, Aaronson is ready to prove himself once again on the international stage.
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