Leeds United star handed blunt World Cup reminder as chance wasted but progress made
It's been a frustrating World Cup campaign for one Leeds United first-team regular.
Leeds United midfielder Brenden Aaronson returned to his role as an unused substitute overnight as the USA enjoyed a 2-0 round-of-32 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Aaronson has so far struggled to make an impact in the World Cup being held in his home country, Canada and Mexico. The Leeds man watched group stage victories against Paraguay and Australia from the bench before starting in a much-changed side against Türkiye once a top spot was wrapped up.
The USA lost that game 3-2, with neither Aaronson nor any other rotated player staking a claim to keep their place for a last-32 game against Bosnia. As expected, head coach Mauricio Pochettino returned to his strongest-XI for the knockout game with the Leeds man benched.
The home nation impressed again at the Levi’s Stadium in California and were rewarded for an energetic first-half when Folarin Balogun scored his third goal of the tournament on 45 minutes. The Monaco striker reacted quickly to steer a deflected Malik Tillman pass beyond Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj.
Balogun was then sent off midway through the second-half after a battle with Tarik Muharemovic saw him rake studs down the Bosnia defender’s calf. The USA came under some pressure once a man down but instead doubled their lead late on through a Tillman free-kick.
Pochettino made a trio of late changes as the USA looked to see out their two-goal advantage but there was no introduction for Aaronson. Giovanni Reyna, Ricardo Pepi and Sebastian Berhalter were preferred with the Leeds man handed a watching brief once again.
Aaronson has now watched all three of his nation’s brilliant victories from the bench, featuring only in defeat. It remains to be seen whether he’ll be handed a chance in future rounds with Balogun suspended after his red card.
Victory for the USA, their first against European opposition in 11 attempts, has set up a last-16 meeting with Belgium on Monday night UK time.