The 23-year-old was subbed on late, scoring a crucial goal as Leeds bagged a point on opening day.
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Leeds draw Portsmouth 3-3 on opening dayBrenden Aaronson bags equalizerFirst Leeds goal since 2022 for AmericanWHAT HAPPENED?
U.S. international Brenden Aaronson got his 2024-25 English Championship campaign off to a strong start, scoring a crucial stoppage time goal to earn Leeds United a point in a 3-3 draw with Portsmouth at Elland Road.
It was a six-goal thriller which almost saw Leeds open their season with a loss due to conceding a penalty kick in the 89th minute to go down 3-2. Then, Aaronson stepped up.
The American attacker was fed on the top of the box and after some tidy footwork, he hit the ball into the bottom-left corner of the net to open his account for the season. The strike was his first for Leeds since Aug. 2022 against Chelsea.
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Aaronson returned to Leeds this offseason after spending the 2023-24 season on loan in the German Bundesliga with Union Berlin. He joined the English side on a permanent transfer from Red Bull Salzburg in the summer of 2022, but struggled to find his footing at Elland Road in his debut season under Jesse Marsch.
Fellow American Tyler Adams was also on the roster, while Weston McKennie joined them on loan for the second half of the 2022-23 season.
After returning to the English outfit this summer for preseason after participating in Copa America with the U.S. men's national team, Aaronson vowed to Leeds fans to "get Leeds United promoted back to the Premier League."
(C)GettyImagesWHAT NEXT FOR AARONSON AND LEEDS?
Leeds are back in action on Wednesday as they begin their journey in the EFL Cup. They'll take on Middlesbrough as Aaronson looks for his first start of the season under manager Daniel Farke.