Brenden Aaronson says, “It’s just been tough to get a rhythm. And I think that’s everything for a footballer – it’s just finding your rhythm and confidence.”
He uses the word “tough” often, a word not said surprising given the circumstances. It is less than 48 hours after Union Berlin were defeated in the DFB Pokal by Stuttgart, marking an 11th straight defeat in all competitions. Against Eintracht Frankfurt, the losing streak extended to 12 matches, leaving Union third from bottom in the Bundesliga.
Aaronson, who joined Union on a season-long loan in the summer on the back of suffering relegation from the Premier League with Leeds United, is experiencing a cycle of misery. In fact, he might not want to talk about any of it at all. Instead, Aaronson welcomes the interview and talks about a loss of confidence at the end of last season, about being told to put too much pressure on himself by his coach, about hitting the gym to build his strength, about feeling proud representing the USMNT at the World Cup finals, and about Union Berlin’s incredible supporters.
At the end of last season, Aaronson showed glimpses of skill. A staff member described Aaronson as the “ideal son-in-law,” noting that he stayed after training for extra practice. However, the pressure to get goals and assist took over Aaronson’s mind, failing to play freely.
Aaronson, who represents the USMNT in Qatar, says that he takes pride in representing his country.
