Brenden Aaronson 'growing like a weed' with Leeds United, says Jesse Marsch
By Chris Smith
There are plenty of ways to complement one of your best players. A superlative here, a pat on the back there. But comparing them to a weed? That's a new one.
However, that was the best comparison Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch could make when trying to describe Brenden Aaronson's growth since arriving at Elland Road.
“He gets better every day,” Marsch told MLSsoccer.com's ExtraTime podcast. “He's like a weed. You almost see him grow before your eyes. It's really amazing. He's a special young man."
Aaronson has come a long way since joining the Philadelphia Union youth system in 2015. His path has taken him through MLS as a Supporters' Shield winner to Austria, where he won two consecutive league and cup doubles.
At international level, Aaronson already has six goals in 24 USMNT caps, while he's arguably been Leeds' best attacker this season, posting team-highs for chances created (25) and successful dribbles (19) among other key metrics.
And at just 22 years old, Aaronson is just getting started.
“It's so much just about his ability to make final plays and slow himself down a little bit in the last third,” Marsch added. “He has more quality than people think. He's a good finisher, he's really clever with how to put passes together in tight spaces.”
Of course, Marsch and Aaronson are just two parts of the American takeover of Leeds United. The duo are joined by midfielder Tyler Adams, who worked through the Red Bull system with New York and Leipzig to eventually find himself in the English top flight.
Like Aaronson, Adams is posting team-highs in important areas for Leeds, such as tackles (64), recoveries (94), touches (819), and completed passes (558).
According to Marsch, Adams is already among the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League.
“For me, we haven't played against any opponent that's had a better defensive midfielder than how Tyler's been playing,” Marsch said. “So I think his upside continues to be massive.”
Both Aaronson and Adams are set to play key roles in the USMNT's World Cup campaign, which begins against Wales on November 21.
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