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‘You CANNOT leave him out of the starting XI’: USMNT legend DaMarcus Beasley hails Leeds star and ‘Mr Silky’ Brenden Aaronson… and insists he will be one of the USA’s key players at the World Cup after shining in the Premier League
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USMNT legend DaMarcus Beasley has called for Brenden Aaronson to start at the World Cup, praising the ‘silky’ American midfielder after an impressive start to life at Leeds United.
Aaronson scored his first goal for the club last weekend vs. Chelsea, and has quickly adapted to Jesse Marsch’s aggressive pressing system, attempting the joint-most pressures in the division thus far.
That sort of energy, Beasley thinks, will be needed from the USMNT in Qatar.
Brenden Aaronson celebrates after scoring in a World Cup qualifier vs. Canada last September
DaMarcus Beasley started in the 2002 World Cup and would play in three more for the USMNT
‘The intensity that is required in a World Cup these days is far more demanding than it was in 2002 and Aaronson seems to make that part look easy,’ he said in a column for MLSsoccer.com.
‘Mix that with the quickness and quality he has on the ball, and you cannot leave him out of the starting XI.’
Beasley would later acknowledge Aaronson’s versatility – he’s popped up through the middle and on the wing already for Leeds – and noted how he’s already played in high-pressure games through World Cup qualifying and the Champions League.
‘We all have heard the saying “he just needs time to adapt to the Premier League”, which is true in a lot of cases,’ he said.
‘With Aaronson, however, it seems the bigger the stakes, the better he plays.’
Aaronson has quickly taken to the Premier League with his high-energy style of play
The New Jersey native already has six goals and five assists in 21 appearances for the national team, with two Champions League assists to his name as well.
Still, it’s unclear if Aaronson will be able to crack Gregg Berhalter’s starting lineup this fall or be forced to settle for a super-sub role.
The team has largely utilized a 4-3-3 formation of late, with Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah usually flanking a rotating cast of strikers and Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah establishing themselves as the first-choice midfield three.
The oft-injured but extremely talented Gio Reyna could also win a starting spot.
Tyler Adams (L), Weston McKennie (C) and Christian Pulisic are considered locks to start
Aaronson, who played center midfield in the USMNT’S 3-0 friendly win over Morocco in June, could potentially force himself into starting there if Berhalter wants to play more adventurously.
Otherwise, he’ll likely face the tough task of dislodging Weah (who started eight qualifiers to Aaronson’s seven), or hope Berhalter surprisingly uses Pulisic as a false nine, opening a spot on the wing.
At worst, it seems like Aaronson will be the first option off the bench, and he could be one of few Americans on the field with Premier League experience when the USMNT plays England on November 25.