How Leeds United flop defied expectation to block Brenden Aaronson’s World Cup hopes | OneFootball

Brenden Aaronson is still waiting for a World Cup minute, with Weston McKennie’s resurgence limiting him. According to Leeds Live, of the three Americans at Leeds in 2023, only the one they kept has yet to play.

Aaronson’s call-up was expected, as was limited involvement. Since his last start for Mauricio Pochettino in November he has totalled 46 minutes across seven matchdays. In 21 squads under the Argentine he has five starts and nine cameos, and was left out of September’s internationals.

Tyler Adams and McKennie have started both of the first two games, McKennie helping force the opener which went in off Paraguay for an own goal in a 4-1 win. After 2023 relegation, Adams helped Bournemouth reach Europe and McKennie signed a four-year Juventus deal in March.

Returning from his Leeds loan, McKennie found his Juventus locker emptied and his parking spot gone, then posted nine goals and eight assists last season. Now 27, he has been used across roles and is a US talisman on 68 caps.

Aaronson, on 58 caps, could reach 59 against Türkiye with the US into the last 32. Despite Pulisic’s injury in the 2-0 win over Australia, Pochettino turned to Haji Wright and Giovanni Reyna in added time. The US played 3-5-2, whereas Daniel Farke used Aaronson as a No 10 in a 3-4-2-1. Fans can expect Adams and McKennie to continue. Aaronson will surely get minutes soon, though how often remains unclear.

Source: Leeds Live