Not sure where the comp with Arriola works beyond the full energy attack dog piece, they both do have that. But otherwise, to me anyway, they're very different players with totally different styles and approaches. Arriola complemented Weah well to me because both were natural wing forwards that attacked in straight lines typically, using pace, Arriola was more pace oriented with not a lot of wiggle, while Weah could cut in and try to find openings with his dribbling, less so Arriola, they both have defending chops, with Arriola probably more willing and Weah more gifted and experienced at it when called upon (has played more than a dozen games as a fullback). For me Aaronson is a CM playing often as a WF. He's a connector CM like LDLT in that he can play the transition pass to the 10 or the winger to jumpstart attacks, and he can be counted on to make smart runs into the box from the midfield (whereas Arriola is making angled runs from the wing)..... It's interesting to think about because Aaronson is a really player within the pool, what he offers or offered (before this current amazing run of form which suggests potentially more) is versatility (WF and CM), and specific traits/skills that facilitate certain game conditions you like to have: he's an aggressive presser who never tires/has tremendous stamina, so he doesn't need a sub if you start him, and he's guaranteed to reliably put opponents under pressure in their own end, in the central midfield, and to break up attacks, and he makes good runs and he's a reasonably good dribbler, and he has solid vision for passion. He does not get involved enough, and up until the past month, if you're looking for counting stats, you won't find them with him. Not a lot of end product until the last month, just a periodic goal or assist here or there, but a lot of little helpful and useful notes, in terms of making plays that sometimes lead to plays two or three passes later all the time. My problem has always been, he doesn't see the ball enough, when he does, he's easily dispossessed/knocked off the ball, and refs call (to my mind) not nearly enough of the fouls committed against him to justify how frequently he's dispossessed via foul, you just simply don't get enough of anything when you play him, and in the wrong game, against a big physical team, he can be totally and completed neutered, especially with a Conmebol or Concacrap ref, maybe with a CAF ref..... We'll see though, that's what I've seen '21-'25, lately, he seems like he's figuring this thing out, at least with EPL Refs (who are far less tolerant of the ---- he has to deal with when he puts on the shirt in Concacrap). What a run though. Just amazing.
I don’t know what standards you are holding Aaronson to claim not a lot of end product. He scored 9 goals and was in the 74th percentile for non-penalty goals for AM/Winger in the Championship last year. https://fbref.com/en/players/5bc43860/scout/12525/Brenden-Aaronson-Scouting-Report
He certainly has end product, now! 4G3A in 14 games worth of EPL minutes. That's excellent for a utility attacker. And in 5 starts in central positions, CM or FW, he has 3G1A. That's elite level stuff.
Great for Brenden. He got to stick around because of his physical tools but he's worked hard to improve everything else.
Could be like Pulisic his finishing and judgement improved at a similar age. We''ll have to wait and see if it's a permanent change. Would be a huge plus for the team if it is. He could be a real option to start a few games to help Pulisic and get real sub minutes on either side.
Brenden hit the post at least 4 times his first PL run and kicked a bunch into the stands. He seems to have gotten smarter about keeping the ball low and on frame. I’ve seen people criticizing the power of his shots but a little less speed, on frame, beats field goals.
You might have something there. I think the younger you are the more likely you are to just kick it as hard as possible and as you become wiser it's about taking a bit off and like you say getting it on frame.
I like this Brendan Aaronson a LOT. He's still a sub, but I can imagine him being first or second off the bench in the World Cup.
His competition is Pulisic and Tillman for sure, and possibly/probably McKennie. In that context, those stats aren’t good enough. Those same percentiles for a GK or backup LB or centerback would have him in discussion for the first XI, but not as an AM. It’s tragic that we can’t loan him to a nation that has an extra high quality CB buts needs a good attacking mid.
You are completely blowing my point out of proportion. I specifically wasn’t just talking about November and no, Alex freeman et al are not going to be as tired after their season as most of the European guys. regardless I wasn’t disparaging MLS players at all, they are good players and they played well. Many of the Europeans were not in form through that stretch of games and its nice to see them rounding into form was my point.
Pulisic is our best player. Brenden’s more productive as an AM than Wes. Wes should be playing deeper. I like Tillman’s physical profile better but wouldn’t have him much ahead of Brenden, Poch wasted a lot of time last summer where they could have been working together swapping positions in attack.
It would be his exact same status as in the 2022 World Cup, when he was first off the bench in all 3 group stage matches, and 2nd off the bench in the Round of 16. Our player pool has improved since then, but so has Aaronson.
Pulisic is lam/left-10 in the US's 4231/343. With Leeds, Aaronson's most productive positions have been centrally at fw/cm. He would likely be competing for the cam/right-10 with players, like Tillman and Reyna, both whom have credit in the bank with Poch due to past performances in the US jersey. Aaronson will need to continue the current form to get the chance to leapfrog these guys.
He played the left CAM role with Reyna at the right side in the last window. I'm fairly sure he's in contention there.
I rewatched the game and he played a lot better than people seemed to think. He did a ton of covering for Reyna and was much more positive offensively -- people seemed to lock in on a couple of bad possessions (including me) but his whole game wasn't that way. Poch seems pretty confident in where he plays guys. I don't see really any reason why he'd suddenly be competing only on the right when he's been played far more on the left.
Disagree on what he had brought to the match. And coaches move players around. My point, again, was Aaronson's improved recent performances at club level would see him best placed to break though in the positions played by Tillman and Reyna.
Article about his turnaround with Leeds https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6985750/2026/01/22/brenden-aaronson-leeds-interview-usmnt-analysis/
Another strong match from Aaronson today. Featured heavily in most of Leeds scoring opportunities throughout the match.
They will turn on him in a new york minute. And I don't mean just frustration with a bad play, I mean slag him as a never shoulda never coulda waste of human tissue that sullies the magnificence of Leeds. They are crap.
Multiple claims that he’s been mostly dreadful at Leeds. It’s like they memory holed the hundred point season they had in the Championship last year.
Most of those losers think it would have been 120 without him. He’s had his objective turnaround there, I really hope he’s sold somewhere that is happy to have him. He can be frustrating sure, but he gives a lot and the Leeds fans are so quick to hate.