At just 21 years old, Brenden Aaronson has become a pivotal member of the United States men’s national team while also securing a move to Leeds United. A winner wherever he goes, Aaronson has become known for the infectious energy he brings and his desire to learn, grow and consume film at every opportunity he can. As he told CBS Sports’ In Soccer We Trust podcast, that unique combination comes from his background training with his father Rusty and his brother Paxten, while he also made a name for himself in the academy of the Philadelphia Union.
The most surprising thing about Aaronson, however, is that while he has done a lot in his career, he still doesn’t have a set position. His versatility has helped him progress, but that means no manager has yet defined him in a specific role. Over the years, he has played as an 8, 10 and winger, but he could be finding his groove as Gregg Berhalter looks for different ways to put his best team, which includes Aaronson, on the pitch. at the same time.
In recent friendlies against Morocco and Uruguay, Aaronson stepped into a deeper role in midfield that Weston McKennie normally fills. With Tyler Adams and Yunus Musah operating almost as dual defensive midfielders, Aaronson took it upon himself to operate in the middle spaces between midfield and attack, which is a place where he feels comfortable.
Aaronson enjoyed the role.
“I’ve played in ten at Red Bull Salzburg, and I know my role in the middle, so it was good to have another chance to play in the middle of this camp.” Aaronson said: “It turned out that I was able to play Morocco and play a good game. And it was good for the team.” [when it came to] the flow of the attack and everything that I was part of the game, it felt good in the middle»
In that Morocco match, Aaronson scored a goal with a deep run into midfield that Christian Pulisic spotted. While the run isn’t too different from the ones he’s also done as a winger, being able to bring his conscience behind Pulisic and Tim Weah made a huge difference compared to operating further up the pitch. Watching the game unfold and choosing his careers is one place where Aaronson’s attention to the study of film shines.
On the national stage, it can make a big difference. Taking a team’s tendencies into account and using them to separate them from the deep can be the difference between getting out of the group stage at the World Cup and an early trip home. It also helps to play a role that you enjoy. “It is safe to say that I like to play eight and it is something that I see myself playing in the future. And I think I can do this, this midfield from frame to frame. [role]Aaronson added.
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While he will be on the move from time to time, this is the role Aaronson is expected to play with Leeds United when he is reunited with his former manager, Jesse Marsch. The hope is that also with upcoming Concacaf Nations League matches against Grenada and El Salvador, Aaronson can play deeper in midfield as well. For teams that are more likely to sit back and let the USMNT have the ball, it helps to have someone like Aaronson to pass the ball through the holes created by the defense and take advantage of the channels that open up.
Driving the game in situations like this is where Aaronson says he wants to grow his personal game and is quick to point to the likes of Kevin de Bruyne as examples of attacking players who can also dictate the game from deep. And Aaronson has experience playing on teams that dictate such a game. He earned his move to Leeds while playing for one of the best teams in Austria, RB Salzburg, a team that had the ball or was trying to get it most of the time during their games. And, going forward, at the World Cup he will probably have the opportunity to do something similar against Iran and Wales, two stylistically more conservative teams in the USMNT group.
As Berhalter looks to continue the development of the USMNT, Aaronson’s continued maturation will be key to reaching new heights. Aaronson’s thirst for developing his personal game at all times, combined with the favorable club status he is heading to with Leeds United, should set the stage for him to take the next leap in his career with club and country.
Whether he gets a chance to prove it in the Nations League this summer or the World Cup in November, Aaronson is an important part of the USMNT’s future… wherever he lines up on the field.
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