US media reacts to latest Brenden Aaronson display as Leeds United loanee comes off bench v Ghana
Brenden Aaronson was pretty average as the Leeds United loanee played in the USA’s 4-0 hammering of Ghana in Nashville on Tuesday night.
Aaronson, who is currently on loan at Union Berlin, came off the bench at half-time to replace US captain Christian Pulisic on the left-wing.
However, the reviews of Aaronson’s performance in the US media were pretty mixed with his ratings being as average as they could really be.
MLSSoccer.com rated Aaronson 6.5/10 for his second-half performance, praising his movement off the ball and passes into the box but also said the Leeds loanee “often let himself down with a few sloppy touches”.
The US version of Goal hailed the energy of Aaronson’s performance but gave him a 6/10 and said he “was bullied off the ball a bit too easily”.
Although he got a 6/10 from USA Today, they were a bit more upbeat about the former Red Bull Salzburg attacker.
“Aaronson replaced Pulisic on the left wing at halftime, coming up with a key pass and a tackle while connecting on every pass he attempted,” said journalist Jason Anderson.
“He might have had a golden chance to score early in the second half if not for Cardoso seeming to not see how open the Union Berlin man was. From there, chances were more sporadic as the USMNT settled into controlling play rather than the incisive attacking play of the first half.”
NBC Sports gave Aaronson a 6.5/10 rating.
Less the Medford Messi, more the New Jersey Seth Johnson
It’s unbelievable that this guy was being compared to Lionel Messi before he came to Leeds.
However, that’s Americans for you. Everything is over the top and exaggerated.
Aaronson was doing well in Austria before joining the Whites last year but his one and only full season in West Yorkshire was a disaster.
It’s amazing to think that Marcelo Bielsa wanted this guy.
Leeds loaned Aaronson to Union Berlin in the summer and since moving to the Bundesliga, he’s continued to struggle.
After eight appearances, Aaronson is yet to directly contribute towards a goal while he was also sent off for two yellow cards within 21 minutes against Darmstadt in August. Union won despite Aaronson’s red card.
He’s started just three times in the Bundesliga and not at all in the Champions League, suggesting that he’s really struggling in major European leagues and that he should have stayed inside his comfort zone in Austria.
Well done for being average off the bench in a friendly win against Ghana.
It’s probably the best he’s done for a long time.
In other Leeds United news, a talkSPORT broadcaster has been drooling over this “huge, incredible” international Leeds player live on air.