Brenden Aaronson

Brenden Russell Aaronson[3] (born October 22, 2000) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Austrian Bundesliga club Red Bull Salzburg and the United States national team.

Brenden Aaronson
Aaronson with RB Salzburg in 2021
Personal information
Full name Brenden Russell Aaronson[1]
Date of birth (2000-10-22) October 22, 2000
Place of birth Medford, New Jersey, United States
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[2]
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Red Bull Salzburg
Number 11
Youth career
2015–2018 Philadelphia Union
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2018 Bethlehem Steel 21 (1)
2019–2020 Philadelphia Union 51 (7)
2021– Red Bull Salzburg 42 (9)
National team‡
2015 United States U15 2 (0)
2019 United States U23 3 (0)
2020– United States 18 (5)
Honours
Representing  United States
Men's soccer
CONCACAF Nations League
Winner2021 United States
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of April 24, 2022
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of February 2, 2022

Youth

Raised in Medford, New Jersey, Aaronson attended Shawnee High School for a single year before being selected to the Philadelphia Union's YSC Academy, where he played soccer and completed his high school education.[4] During his time at YSC Academy, Aaronson had played for Union's youth teams before committing to Indiana University and signing an amateur contract with Bethlehem Steel FC.[5][6]

Club career

Bethlehem Steel

Aaronson appeared as an academy player playing for Bethlehem Steel FC during their 2017 season after coming through the Philadelphia Union academy.[7][8] In October 2017, Aaronson made his first start for Steel FC in an away draw versus Tampa Bay Rowdies.[9] Aaronson made 21 appearances for Steel FC and scored his first goal for the professional side against Atlanta United 2.[10]

Philadelphia Union

On September 17, 2018, it was announced that Aaronson would join the Philadelphia Union at the beginning of their 2019 season.[11] On March 17, 2019, the homegrown player scored his first professional goal in his MLS debut, helping Philadelphia tie against Atlanta United. Considered to be a back-up playmaker for the Union, injuries and suspensions gave Aaronson the opportunity to start and excel in the first team as both playmaking number 10 and left-sided box-to-box midfielder.[12]

At the end of his rookie season, Aaronson finished second for 2019 MLS Rookie of the year, with three goals and two assists in over 1,640 minutes played. Aaronson was the youngest player out of the five finalists.[13]

The 2020 season became a breakout year for Aaronson who finished the season with 31 appearances across all competitions and scoring 4 goals. Aaronson's performance during the season earned him several accolades include being named the to 2020 MLS Best XI for the regular season and the MLS is Back Tournament.[14][15] The Union finished the season with the best league record earning the team's first trophy, the 2020 Supporters' Shield.[16]

Red Bull Salzburg

After persistent rumors, it was announced on October 16, 2020, that Aaronson would join Red Bull Salzburg effective January 2021 after the MLS season ended.[17] While the transfer fee was undisclosed, Philadelphia announced that it would be the highest transfer fee paid for an American homegrown player from MLS.[18] Early news reports indicated the fee is US$6 million up front, with US$3 million in possible incentives.[19][20] Aaronson made his debut for Salzburg on January 25, as a substitute during a 2–0 victory over Rheindorf Altach.[21]

Aaronson during a match with RB Salzburg in 2021

Aaronson scored his first goal for Salzburg on February 10, 2021, scoring the game-winning goal during an eventual 3–1 win over Austria Wien.[22] On May 1, he won his first piece of silverware with Salzburg as the club defeated LASK in the Austrian Cup final by 3–0.[23] Aaronson scored the second goal of the match, and his fifth in all competitions since his move from Philadelphia in January.[23]

International career

After showing a strong rookie season, Aaronson received his first senior call up to the United States men's national soccer team in October 2019 for CONCACAF Nations League matches with Cuba and Canada. He did not earn a cap in either match.[24] Aaronson earned his second call-up to the senior team for the 2020 January camp.[25] Aaronson earned his full debut in a 1–0 win over Costa Rica. Later that year, Aaronson scored his first senior international goal during a 6–0 victory over El Salvador in December 2020.[26]

Personal life

His brother Paxten Aaronson plays for the Philadelphia Union.[27]

Aaronson's performances for the Philadelphia Union and Red Bull Salzburg earned him the nickname of the “Medford Messi”, alliteration that is referring to his birthplace and making a comparison with Argentine player Lionel Messi.[28]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played April 24, 2022
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Bethlehem Steel FC 2017 USL Championship 6000——60
2018 USL Championship 15100——151
Total 21100——211
Philadelphia Union 2019 MLS 28300—2[lower-alpha 1]0303
2020 MLS 23[lower-alpha 2]4——4[lower-alpha 3]0274
Total 51700—60577
Red Bull Salzburg 2020–21 Austrian Bundesliga 205322[lower-alpha 4]0—257
2021–22 Austrian Bundesliga 2244010[lower-alpha 5]2—366
Total 42972122—6113
Career total 11417721226013921
  1. Appearance(s) in MLS Cup Playoffs
  2. Includes three appearances in MLS is Back Tournament group stage
  3. One appearance in MLS Cup Playoffs, three appearances in MLS is Back Tournament knockout stage
  4. Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
  5. Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League

International
As of match played September 8, 2021. United States score listed first, score column indicates score after each Aaronson goal.[29]
International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 December 9, 2020Inter Miami CF Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, United States2 El Salvador6–06–0Friendly
2 March 25, 2021Stadion Wiener Neustadt, Wiener Neustadt, Austria3 Jamaica2–04–1Friendly
3 June 9, 2021Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, United States7 Costa Rica1–04–0Friendly
4 September 5, 2021Nissan Stadium, Nashville, United States9 Canada1–01–12022 FIFA World Cup qualification
5 September 8, 2021Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula, Honduras10 Honduras3–14–12022 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honors

Philadelphia Union

Red Bull Salzburg

United States

Individual

References
  1. "Aaronson's rise to the USMNT is fueled by a strong season and a hunger to learn". AmericansoccerNow. October 9, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  2. "Brenden Aaronson". worldfootball.net. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  3. "Player National Team Roster: 2020 Concacaf Men's Olympic Qualifying" (PDF). mcusercontent.com.
  4. Strauss, Robert. "Meet the Philadelphia Union’s Youngest Hometown Player; At just 18 years old, midfielder Brenden Aaronson's dream has come true.", New Jersey Monthly, May 2, 2019. Accessed June 24, 2019.
  5. Matthew Ralph (November 20, 2017). "Brenden Aaronson verbally commits to Indiana University for 2019". Brotherly Game. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  6. Jonathan Tannenwald (August 21, 2018). "Medford's Brenden Aaronson is the Union's top prospect, and a genuine U.S. soccer playmaker". The Philadelphia Inquire. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  7. "Philadelphia Union". phil.ussoccerda.com.
  8. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 25, 2017. Retrieved July 21, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. Matthew Ralph (October 5, 2017). "South Jersey teens impress in first starts for Bethlehem Steel". Brotherly Game. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  10. Matthew Ralph (July 30, 2018). "Three Steel players score first pro goals in 4-1 win over Atlanta United 2". Brotherly Game. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  11. "Union Sign Midfielder Brenden Aaronson As Club's Sixth Current Homegrown Player | Philadelphia Union". Archived from the original on September 17, 2018.
  12. Tansey, Joe (July 30, 2019). "Dream season continues for Philadelphia Union's Brenden Aaronson at Homegrown Game". ProSoccerUSA. Archived from the original on January 1, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  13. Ralph, Matthew (October 15, 2019). "Brenden Aaronson finishes second in Rookie of the Year award voting". Brotherly Game.
  14. "MLS is Back Tournament Best XI presented by BODYARMOR". MLSsoccer.com. August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  15. "2020 MLS Best XI presented by Home Depot". MLSsoccer.com. November 20, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  16. "Philadelphia Union win 2020 MLS Supporters' Shield on regular season's final day". Major League Soccer. November 8, 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  17. "FC Red Bull Salzburg - Welcome to Salzburg, Brenden Aaronson!". redbulls. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  18. "Philadelphia Union Agree To Record-Breaking Transfer Of Homegrown Midfielder Brenden Aaronson to UEFA Champions League Club FC Red Bull Salzburg". Philadelphia Union. October 16, 2020. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  19. "Aaronson joins FC Salzburg in record-breaking transfer". ESPN. October 16, 2020. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  20. "Union sell Brenden Aaronson to Red Bull Salzburg for $6 million". Phila Inquirer. October 16, 2020. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  21. "Former Philadelphia Union teammates Brenden Aaronson, Mark McKenzie make European league debuts". MLSsoccer.com. January 24, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  22. "WATCH: Brenden Aaronson scores superb first Red Bull Salzburg goal | MLSsoccer.com".
  23. "U.S.'s Brenden Aaronson, Jesse Marsch lead Salzburg to Austrian Cup". ESPN. May 2, 2021. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  24. "Brenden Aaronson | USMNT | U.S. Soccer Official Site". ussoccer.com.
  25. Jonathan Tannenwald (December 30, 2019). "Union's Brenden Aaronson, Mark McKenzie on first USMNT roster of 2020". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  26. "Brenden Aaronson scores first USMNT goal in 6-0 rout of El Salvador". The Philadelphia Inquirer. December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  27. Tannenwald, Jonathan. "Union sign Paxten Aaronson, Brenden's brother, to an MLS contract that will start in 2021". inquirer.com. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  28. "Brenden Aaronson, aka "The Medford Messi" Scores Game Winner Against Barcelona". Crossing Broad. August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  29. "Brenden Aaronson – Soccerway". Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  30. "Jesse Marsch Accomplishes All He Can in Austria". Sports Illustrated. May 12, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  31. "Christian Pulisic, Ethan Horvath lead U.S. over Mexico in Nations League final". ESPN. June 6, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
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