Leeds United star's World Cup dream over as controversial red card decision a non-factor
Brenden Aaronson became the third Leeds United star to exit the World Cup overnight.
Leeds United forward Brenden Aaronson watched his World Cup dream end from the substitute’s bench overnight as the USA lost their last-16 clash 4-1 against Belgium.
Aaronson’s side became the third and final co-host to be eliminated from the tournament after a lethargic display in Seattle. Former Leeds transfer target Charles De Ketelaere scored two first-half goals for Belgium with Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku also on target. Malik Tillman netted a consolation for the USA.
The last-16 tie was shrouded in controversy ahead of kick-off, with FIFA suspending a red card ban received by USA striker Folarin Balogun after conversations with US president Donald Trump. Balogun proved ineffective against a Belgium side growing in confidence and momentum.
Despite a disappointing showing from the USA, and head coach Mauricio Pochettino making five substitutions across midfield and attack, there was no opportunity for Aaronson. The Leeds man’s home World Cup ended with one appearance in a meaningless 3-2 defeat to Turkey.
“Today we didn’t show our real quality as a team,” Pochettino said. “I want to congratulate Belgium, they were good. But we were not at our level, we never connected with the game. We started in a poor way and never (got into) the flow of the game.
“We were not good enough today. We don’t need to find another excuse. Belgium were better than us. That’s it. It’s very clear. It was really tough from the beginning. We didn’t show what normally the team will show - and that is the reality.
“Maybe the explanation is so easy - it wasn’t our day, in the quality and individual. Of course, the principal responsible is myself and yes, we need to see and to check what we did, because it wasn’t the performance or way that normally we play.”
One Leeds United star remains after Brenden Aaronson exit
Aaronson will no doubt be disappointed to see his dream of a home World Cup end with barely a chance to impress. The 25-year-old’s sole appearance in that defeat to Turkey lasted just 76 minutes, with the vast majority of Pochettino’s squad used more across the tournament.
Aaronson became the third Leeds player to exit the World Cup with that last-16 defeat. The American went one game further than Elland Road teammates Gabriel Gudmundsson and Ao Tanaka, whose respective nations were eliminated at the round-of-32 stage.
Gudmundsson’s Sweden lost 3-0 against tournament favourites France last week, with the left-back returning home to his newborn child. Tanaka was left in tears after a crucial mistake cost Japan in their late 2-1 defeat to Brazil.
The only remaining Leeds star is Noah Okafor, who like Aaronson has largely been given a watching brief by head coach Murat Yakin with one substitute appearance totalling 20 minutes. He will hope to make an impact in tonight’s last-16 tie with Colombia.