USMNT
Brenden Aaronson happy with Germany test: “Playing against a top team is fantastic”
The USMNT forward joined Bundesliga side Union Berlin over the summer and is well aware of the quality of the German national team.
USMNT took on three-time world champions Germany last weekend, falling to a 3-1 defeat at Rentschler Field.
Greg Berhalter’s team took the lead through Christian Pulisic but the visitors fought back with goals from Ilkay Gundogan, Niclas Fullkrug and Jamal Musiala.
Young USMNT midfielder Brenden Aaronson will have been familiar with some of the German side after moving to the Bundesliga during the summer. Aaronson, who now plays for Union Berlin, believes that the challenge of facing Germany was a positive experience for the team.
Aaronson said: “I think there are a lo of great things to take away. Playing a top team like that is always great, I don’t think we’ve had too many opportunities to do that and playing them on this stage, in front of a sold-out stadium, was great for us.”
“I think it taught us a lot and we’ve learnt so many things,” he added.
Aaronson feeling at home in USMNT set-up
When Aaronson left Philadelphia Union in 2020 he was one of the hottest prospects in MLS, a player tipped to have a long career at the top table of European soccer.
He joined Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg, with whom he impressed across two seasons. His next move took him to the Premier League with Leeds United, but that season in the English top flight ended in heartbreak as the team were relegated and the club were forced to look for suitors for Aaronson.
The 22-year-old joined Union Berlin on a season-long loan and is beginning to recapture the form that earned him the nickname of the ‘Medford Messi’.
“For me it’s been a tough year,” Aaronson explained. “But football is about ups and downs, I think everyone who’s played it knows that, and I’m going to stick around for the ride.”
Aaronson was handed his first international cap by Gregg Berhalter in 2020. With Berhalter back at the helm of the USMNT Aaronson revealed that he feels better prepared.
Aaronson said of the USMNT coach: “He knows that I’m a player that likes to be between the lines, pushing the attack, and playing final balls and getting goals.”
“I think it helps that I have a defined role with the national team, I know what I’m here to do,” he added.
Next up for Berhalter’s side, USMNT take on Ghana at Geodis Park on Wednesday, 19 October.
Watch USMNT vs Ghana live stream on FuboTV (free trial available)