Brenden Aaronson scores first Leeds goal: American cooks Chelsea with pressing, forces Mendy mistake

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Brenden Aaronson is a major component of the American influx at Leeds United. The young Philadelphia product has stormed to notoriety in his first few weeks in the English top flight, helping the club surge towards its best-ever Premier League start.

The 21-year-old thought he had his first Premier League goal on opening weekend against Wolves, a 74th-minute winner, but it was officially ruled an own-goal by Rayan Ait-Nouri. It took him two more weeks, but Aaronson finally snagged his first official Premier League strike to open the scoring against Chelsea as Leeds recorded a memorable 3-0 win over their rivals at Elland Road with Rodrigo and Jack Harrison also finding the net.

He was influential throughout the match, giving the Chelsea defense trouble and causing problems with his incessant pressing and tireless dribbling.

Aaronson is one of three Americans who have arrived at Leeds in the last few months. Manager Jesse Marsch helped Leeds avoid relegation last season, taking over for Marcelo Bielsa and steering the team to Premier League safety. Marsch brought Aaronson to Elland Road this summer, alongside fellow USMNT teammate Tyler Adams who also arrived in the recent transfer window.

MORE: Who is Brenden Aaronson? Everything to know about the new American winger at Leeds

Aaronson scores first Premier League goal vs. Chelsea

The man they call “Medford Messi” was a menace throughout the first half in the Leeds match against Chelsea on August 21.

His pressing caused problems for the Blues all match, and it paid dividends in the 33rd minute when Aaronson chased a ball back to Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. It put Mendy under pressure, and instead of just clearing the ball, the Senegal international tried to dance his way out of trouble.

It was a fatal mistake, as Aaronson picked his pocket, finding himself gifted with a completely empty net. On the doorstep with nobody to challenge, Aaronson’s effort garnered a

Brenden Aaronson forces Mendy into a mistake and scores his first Premier League goal! Leeds take the lead over Chelsea. #LUFC

📺: @USA_Network & @Telemundo #MyPLMorning | #LEECHE pic.twitter.com/EgFMi2HgAE

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 21, 2022

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Aaronson leads Leeds press, causing Chelsea fits

While the Leeds press crafted by Marsch did lead directly to Aaronson’s goal, it was not the only time it left the Blues scratching their heads.

Throughout the first half against Chelsea, Leeds pressed the Blues with energy and relentlessness, causing a host of awkward moments for the Chelsea back line.

Aaronson was at the heart of many of those moments, highlighted by one in particular that left new Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly scratching his head. Aaronson received a long fizzed pass from Robin Koch down the right flank and spun around to the inside, turning Koulibaly in the process and leaving the Senegal international picking himself up off the turf.

Koulibaly attempted to recover, but Aaronson had already gone past him. It left Koulibaly no choice but to foul Aaronson, which he did by grabbing a handful of the American’s shirt. Koulibaly got his money’s worth, leaving a trailing arm around Aaronson’s neck, giving referee Stuart Attwell no choice but to book the Chelsea man. The Blues defender was later sent off with five minutes to go for a second bookable offence.

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Aaronson’s performance had the stat geeks salivating, as he not only passed the eye test but racked up attacking numbers as well.

Aaronson joined the NBC Soccer broadcast post-match in the United States, and told the crew of Rebecca Lowe, Tim Howard, and Robbie Mustoe that Leeds went into the match with the mentality that “we’re going to press them, we’re not going to stay back and fear them, we’re going to go after them.”

USMNT fans, media react to Aaronson goal vs. Leeds

The Aaronson goal had U.S. fans and media buzzing, and set social media alight with his tireless performance.

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