Leeds United star given big chance as boss makes international decision and opposition confirmed
A Leeds United star’s big chance after an international boss decision.
A big chance for a Leeds United star ultimately ended in disappointment but with progression guaranteed and next opposition now confirmed.
USA attacker Brenden Aaronson is one of four Leeds players representing the club at this summer’s World Cup but the midfielder was an unused substitute for his side’s first two group games against Paraguay and Australia.
Wins against Paraguay and Australia sealed the USA’s progression to the competition’s knockout stages with a game to spare, the States then facing Turkiye in their Group D finale in the early hours of Friday morning.
USA boss Mauricio Pochettino took the decision to start Aaronson whose side got off to a flyer as Auston Trusty fired his men into a third-minute lead.
Turkyie, though, drew level just seven minutes later and ultimately went on to record a 3-2 victory as Kaan Ayhan struck a 98th-minute winner.
Victory for Turkyie was unable to prevent them from finishing bottom of their group and the USA have still have progressed as Group winners, finishing two points ahead of runners-up Australia.
Aaronson played 77 minutes of the contest before being replaced by Alex Zendejas.
The USA will now face Bosnia Herzegovina in the last 32 next Thursday morning.