Midfielder
Brenden Aaronson
5'10"
Get the full profile of USMNT midfielder Brenden Aaronson. Full career stats, club history (Philadelphia Union, Red Bull Salzburg, Leeds United, Union Berlin, Leeds), and US Soccer Players news analysis.
Caps: 55 | Goals: 9
Brenden Aaronson came through the Philadelphia Union academy, working his way into the senior squad with the Union and claiming a spot on the US National Team. A high profile move from Philadelphia to Red Bull Salzburg during the January 2021 window meant Champions League soccer and the next step in the career of a young player. Aaronson quickly made himself crucial for club and country, scoring five goals for the USMNT in his first ten games. After back-to-back doubled with Red Bull Salzburg, Aaronson moved to the Premier League with Leeds United for the 2022-23 season. He joined Union Berlin on loan for the 2023-24 Bundesliga season, returning to Leeds for the 2024-25 Premier League season. Aaronson has matured into a versatile playmaker capable of disrupting defenses with his relentless work rate and vision.
Photo by Roy K Miller – ISIPhotos.com
Credit: Robin Alam - ISIPhotos.comUSMNT Experience
2025
Started in a 4-0 friendly loss against Switzerland on Jun 10. He subbed on against Saudi Arabia in a 1-0 win on Jun 19. During the Concacaf Gold Cup, subbed on and scored in the 5-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago on June 15. He started the 2-1 win against Haiti on June 22 before subbing on in the semifinal, a 2-1 win over Guatemala on July 2 and the 2-1 final loss against Mexico on July 6. Subbed on during the 2-1 win over Australia on Oct 14. Started against Paraguay on Nov 15 (2-1 W) and subbed on against Uruguay on Nov 18 (5-1 W).
2024
Subbed on in the 3-1 Nations League semifinal win over Jamaica on Mar 21 and again in the 2-0 final victory over Mexico on Mar 24. In the Copa America, subbed on in the 2-0 win against Bolivia on Jun 23. Started the 1-2 loss to Canada on Sept 7 and the 1-1 draw with New Zealand on Sep 10. Started in the 2-0 win over Panama on Oct 12 and the 2-0 loss to Mexico on Oct 15. Subbed on in the 4-2 Nations League quarterfinal win over Jamaica on Nov 18.
2023
Started and scored in the 7-1 Nations League win over Grenada on Mar 24. Subbed on in the 1-0 win against El Salvador on Mar 27. Started in the 2-0 Nations League final win over Canada on Jun 18. Subbed on in the 3-0 win over Uzbekistan on Sept 9 and scored off the bench in the 4-0 win over Oman on Sep 12. Subbed on in the 3-1 loss to Germany on Oct 14. In the Nations League quarterfinals against Trinidad & Tobago, he subbed on in the 3-0 first-leg win on Nov 16 and started the 1-2 second-leg loss on Nov 20.
2022
During World Cup Qualifying, he subbed on in the 1-0 win over El Salvador on Jan 27, started the 0-2 loss to Canada on Jan 30, and subbed on in the 3-0 win over Honduras on Feb 2. In June friendlies, he started and scored in the 3-0 win over Morocco on Jun 1, subbed on in the 5-0 win over Grenada on Jun 10, and started the 1-1 draw with El Salvador on Jun 14. In the final World Cup tune-ups, he started the 2-0 loss to Japan on Sep 23 and subbed on in the 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia on Sep 27. Aaronson subbed on in all four World Cup games in Qatar: the 1-1 draw with Wales on Nov 21, the 0-0 draw with England on Nov 25, the 1-0 win over Iran on Nov 29, and the 3-1 round of 16 loss to the Netherlands on Dec 3.
2021
Subbed on and scored in the 4-1 win over Jamaica on Mar 25 and subbed on in the 2-1 win over Northern Ireland on Mar 28. He started and provided an assist in the 1-2 loss to Switzerland on May 30. In the Nations League, he subbed on in the 1-0 semifinal win over Honduras on June 3. Started and scored in the 4-0 friendly win over Costa Rica on June 9. During World Cup Qualifying, he started the 0-0 draw with El Salvador on Sep 2, started and scored in the 1-1 draw with Canada on Sep 5, and subbed on to score in the 4-1 win over Honduras on Sep 8. Started in the 2-0 win over Jamaica on Oct 7, Subbed on in the 1-0 loss to Panama on Oct 10, and started in the 2-1 win over Costa Rica on Oct 13. Started in the 2-0 win over Mexico on Nov 12 and the 1-1 draw with Jamaica on Nov 16.
2020
Aaronson made his senior debut starting the 1-0 win against Costa Rica on February 1. He capped his first year with a dominant performance, starting, scoring, and assisting in the 6-0 win over El Salvador on December 9.
2019
Part of the October squad but didn't play.
Professional Experience
2024-25
Aaronson returned to Leeds United determined to help the club return to the top flight. He was a fixture in the lineup, playing in 46 games and scoring nine goals. His contributions were vital as Leeds won the EFL Championship title (1st place), securing automatic promotion back to the Premier League.
2023-24
Spending the season on loan in the Bundesliga, Aaronson made 30 league appearances for Union Berlin. It was a battle for survival, but he helped the club secure a 15th place finish, avoiding the relegation playoffs on goal difference.
2022-23
In his debut Premier League season, Aaronson was a regular starter, playing in 36 games. Despite his individual energy and scoring his first league goal against Chelsea, the team struggled defensively. Leeds United finished 19th in the table and was relegated to the Championship.
2021-22
Aaronson helped Red Bull Salzburg continue their dominance in Austria. The club finished 1st in the Austrian Bundesliga, winning the league title, and also captured the Austrian Cup to complete the domestic double. Following this successful campaign, his move to Leeds United was announced.
2020-21
Aaronson joined the Austrian champions during the January transfer window. He wasted no time adapting, playing in 20 games and scoring five goals in the second half of the season. He helped the club finish 1st in the Bundesliga and won the Austrian Cup, marking his first silverware in Europe.
2020
In a historic season for the club, Aaronson played in 27 games, scoring four goals and earning MLS Best XI honors. He led the Philadelphia Union to the best record in the league, winning the Supporters' Shield (1st place overall finish). In the MLS Cup Playoffs, the team’s run ended in the First Round with a loss to the New England Revolution.
2019
Aaronson broke into the senior squad as a teenager, making 30 appearances in his rookie MLS season. The Union finished 3rd in the Eastern Conference. In the MLS Cup Playoffs, Aaronson helped the team win their opening match against the New York Red Bulls before they were eliminated in the Eastern Conference Semifinals by Atlanta United.
2018
Before moving to the first team, Aaronson developed in the USL Championship with the Union's affiliate, Bethlehem Steel. He played in six games in 2017 and increased his role to 15 games in 2018.
2017
Member of Bethlehem Steel plying in six games.
Youth and College
A New Jersey native, Aaronson entered the Philadelphia Union youth system as a teenager. He starred for the club’s high school program (YSC Academy) and signed an amateur deal with their USL affiliate, Bethlehem Steel, in 2017. With the option of playing college soccer at Indiana University, he signed a Homegrown Player contract with Philadelphia, launching his professional career straight from the academy.
