In England, there’s a football chant that fans sing at players who have graduated from their
academy.

To the tune of Sloop John B, Union fans could well be signing the same song at the World
Cup this year; “he’s one of our, he’s one of our own, Brenden Aaronson, he’s one of our
own”. Indeed he is; the New Jersey Native left Union in 2020, and after a brief spell in
Austria, he’s found his way to the top division in Europe, the Premier League.

Now, one of our own is seeking to settle into a rhythm at his new club ahead of the World Cup, where
he’ll likely play a key role for the USMNT against England. Oh, the irony!

How has he settled? Preseason isn’t a big deal for Premier League clubs; rather than enter
into serious competition, they often travel across the globe playing friendly fixtures for
revenue and exposure.

Still, our boy made quite the impression, with The 18 explaining how he scored within seconds of making his first appearance; 17 seconds. Sadly, he was rightly ruled offside against Brisbane Roar in the Queensland Cup but still impressed enough in their other friendlies to earn a start in their first full Premier League match.

Brenden Aaronson Debut for Leeds United

Leeds United have gone into this season’s Premier League hoping to turn around their
horrible form from the end of the last campaign. Whilst Aaronson and Salzburg were winning
the Austrian title, Leeds was only saved on the season’s final day after tumbling into
relegation trouble. They’re ranked in the latest Ladbrokes Premier League odds as likely
strugglers, on the same odds as Nottingham Forest, Wolves and Southampton for the title,
but after the opening day win, hopes are a bit higher.

New boss Jesse March sees Brenden Aaronson as the creative influence he needs to replace Raphinha, the Brazilian attacker who recently swapped Leeds for Barcelona in a big-money move. How the cash-strapped Catalonian team afforded that is anyone’s guess, but their transfer fee helped take Aaronson to a hopeful Leeds.

They’re even more hopeful after his first official game, a 2-1 victory against Wolverhampton
Wanderers at Elland Road. Aaronson, lining up alongside fellow USMNT star Tyler Adams,
played a prominent part in both Leeds goals, ensuring their first opening day win of a
Premier League season in 20 years. Aaronson pressed high for the first goal, netted by
Rodrigo before his presence forced Rayan Ait-Nouri to turn a Patrick Bamford cross into his
own net.

“[Aaronson] is relentless,” said manager March, who previously coached our local boy at
Salzburg. “He is none stop. His work rate is incredible. I know him well, and the thing I know
about him is he is only going to get better.”

As for the player, he felt he should have been credited with the second goal. “I touched it in
there; it came off my shin somewhere in there. I’m taking credit for it,” he said with a broad
smile after the game. “We’ve been working on it in training that back-post run, and you
always have to be there. If you’re not there, the guy can maybe clear it or something, so just
making this back-post run helps.”

After a strong preseason and a great debut, it seems the only way is up Brenden Aaronson.
By the time November is here, he’ll be on the plane to Qatar with Union fans hoping ‘one of
our own’ can help shoot down the Three Lions and anyone else who stands in the USMNT’s
way.