USMNT
Brenden Aaronson hits the gym to boost career in Europe
The USMNT forward faces Napoli in the Champions League this week as he looks to bounce back from a tough spell in the Premier League.
USMNT prospect Brenden Aaronson is determined to prove himself in the top European leagues and revealed recently that he is doing extra gym sessions to improve physically.
The 23-year-old is currently embarking on a season-long loan to Bundesliga side Union Berlin as he looks to rebuild his form after a tough 2022/23 season. Union take on Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, a game that they need to win to keep their hopes of European progression intact.
The 23-year-old has had limited opportunities so far, but in an interview with The Athletic he revealed that he is trying to bulk up to help him compete in the top European leagues.
“I think since that last year I’ve gotten stronger because I’ve been in the weight room a lot more. I work on it every day. I try to get stronger every single day,” he explained.
However he added that outright strength and physicality is not always the most important factor when it comes to soccer. As a forward, Aaronson’s speed and agility are key weapons in his arsenal.
“I think that I learned a lot more because I’ve always been the smallest one. So I’ve always had to be between the lines and be smart.”
“I’m not the biggest, I’m not the most physical,” he continued. “If you look at the best players in the world, [Andres] Iniesta, Xavi, [Luka] Modric, they’re strong guys, but they’re not like Virgil van Dijk.”
Aaronson proud of USMNT achievements
The 2022/23 season ended in heartbreak for Aaronson as Leeds United were relegated from the Premier League. He failed to show his best form in England, but did have the privilege of representing USMNT during the mid-season World Cup.
Aaronson said: “I’m proud to be an American and to represent my country in the World Cup is the biggest thing I’ve ever done in my life. To have my family name on the back, it was honestly a dream come true.”
He was not the only American in the Leeds team last season; USMNT teammates Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie joined the Yorkshire side and American manager Jesse Marsch led the team.
That US influx came at a time when Leeds were on a downwards curve and elements of the team’s fanbase did not take to the new arrivals. However Aaronson insisted that he was not bothered by the perception in the city.
“Excuse my language, but I don’t give a shit. It doesn’t bother me. I don’t really care what other people say. I don’t care if it was an American thing or anything like that. It’s just noise.”