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While the American selection has been in constant progress for 2-3 years and many nuggets are hatching, European football has discovered a certain Brenden Aaronson more diligently this season. Technical leader of Red Bull Salzburg with whom he made the league and cup double while reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League, the American attacking midfielder has signed for Leeds United to join his former coach Jesse Marsch. A record transfer at 32.84 M€ which makes him the second most expensive American player in history after Christian Pulisic left for Chelsea against 64 M€. Revealed in Philadelphia before leaving for Europe, Brenden Aaronson left behind his family and in particular his brother Paxten. But the latter could take the plunge and join him in the future. Only 18 years old, the one who was born in Medford, New Jersey has been gaining momentum for a few months. Already mentioned last March among our 15 nuggets to follow in MLS this season, the attacking midfielder capable of also evolving as number 9 is increasingly on the screen.
In club already, the right-hander comes out of a convincing first season in 2021 with 16 matches played for 3 goals. Continuing to settle in the first team, he began to play more and more over the weeks (10 games) but has not yet been able to forge a starting status. Nevertheless, he will return to the Philadelphia Union with confidence in the coming days. Selected for the CONCACAF U20 Cup with the United States, Paxten Aaronson started the competition as a substitute before finishing essential. Scoring 2 goals in pools against Saint-Kitts (10-0), silent against Canada (2-2) and decisive passer against Cuba (3-0), he distinguished himself with a good start in the eighth final against Nicaragua (5-0). Finally it was during the quarter-final against Costa Rica (2-0) that everyone agreed with a precious double synonymous with qualification for the 2023 U20 World Cup which will take place in Indonesia.
Crowned with the United States and player of the tournament
Before the meeting against Costa Rica, he had notably displayed his feelings for Concacaf.com on his first competition with the American jersey:“It was a great experience for me. It’s my first real international tournament in a national team where you can win something at the end, and of course qualify me for the Olympic Games (2024 editor’s note) and the World Cup (U20 2023), so there are big things at stake and I embrace the competition. I look forward to the rest of the tournament. Brenden basically told me that I had to play every game like it was my last, that it was CONCACAF and you never knew what to expect. Every team goes out and every team gives their all, so you have to make sure you’re ready and mentally prepared because every game is like a final.” Realizing in the wake of his reference match against Costa Rica, he scored in the semi-final against Honduras (3-0) then in the final against a surprising Dominican Republic, he scored twice during a 6-0 festival.
Named player of the tournament, he gleaned his first title with the American selection two years after his brother won the CONCACAF Nations League with the star-spangled banner team. Brought to a bright future, he was particularly acclaimed by United States U20 coach Mikey Varas: “Paxten has enormous potential. A talent is there, it’s obvious, he is a hard worker and what sets Paxten apart is that he is also very realistic. He knows that with his first team, the first team is doing well, the guys in front of him are scoring goals. So he shows up for training every day, ready to fight for a place. And when he is called, his objective is not to miss his chance. But he also understands the reality of first-team football. So it’s great that he was able to be here and loosen up a bit and we see a very bright future for him.” While the road still looks long and full of pitfalls, Paxten Aaronson is nevertheless on the right track. If he will not have to deviate from the path, he can feed on the sweet dream of playing the 2026 World Cup in the country with his brother Brenden. For that, he must continue to mark the spirits in club as in selection …
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