Leeds did what nobody thought it could when Chelsea came to visit Elland Road on Sunday: utter humiliation was handed to the Blues. A dominate Leeds ran out 3-0 winners in an American masterclass thanks in big part to Brendon Aaronson’s first goal for Leeds.
Brenden Aaronson forces Mendy into a mistake and scores his first Premier League goal! Leeds take the lead over Chelsea. #LUFC
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 21, 2022
"Jesse Marsch is unstoppable right now."
A statement win for @LUFC: @NBCSportsSoccer #LEECHE pic.twitter.com/VszvG0DnXg
— Premier League USA (@PLinUSA) August 21, 2022
Our model has Aaronson’s goal at 0.99(xG). pic.twitter.com/Mpuvmu5Ybd
— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) August 21, 2022
Look at Brenden Aaronson man, so inspirational
— Aaron West (@oeste) August 21, 2022
Aaronson finally opened his account in England by doing exactly what he's been doing since he joined Jesse Marsch’s side. Aaronson sprinted to pressure Mendy as he collected a back pass, forcing him into a mistake in which the Medford Messi pounced, brought it goalwards and looked away as he passed it home. The Audacity.
Aaronson has been lauded since the season began for his phenomenal pressing and this goal should put the rest of the league on notice that Marsch Ball is fully on display at Elland Road.
Koulibaly when he re-watches that Aaronson just did to him pic.twitter.com/YLbvqGgLRR
— Roger Gonzalez (@RGonzalezCBS) August 21, 2022
Koulibaly on why he couldn’t catch Aaronson pic.twitter.com/s0nSbzelFO
— Le Grove (@LeGrove) August 21, 2022
Daddy Koulibaly eating 3 goals and holding a red card. Best CB in the league
— Trey (@UTDTrey) August 21, 2022
Chelsea’s capitulation went from bad to worse as each additional goal went in, capped off by a late Koulibaly red card which will see him miss next week’s game against Leicester.
WHAT. A. CLUB. pic.twitter.com/7VzeSWpQRt
— Leeds United (@LUFC) August 21, 2022
TYLER ADAMS CELEBRATING THE WIN OVER CHELSEA WITH THE USA FLAG pic.twitter.com/gc3JzLqSkF
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) August 21, 2022
Brenden Aaronson is starring for #LUFC.
And he knows that his performance on a global stage is paving the way for more American players to make an impact in Europe's biggest leagues.@NBCSportsSoccerpic.twitter.com/6yj5ocoyVS pic.twitter.com/UToVYu3NxU
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) August 21, 2022
It was the culmination of everything Marsch had hoped for when he came to Leeds. Goosebumps came standard at full time as the Wisconsin native paraded around the ground greeting the fans and celebrating his side's sublime performance. Tyler Adams draped in the Stars and Stripes completed the look and in a post-match interview, Aaronson reminded the world that “Americans can play football too.”
Christian Pulisic, Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams chopping it up after the match
You love to see it. pic.twitter.com/jkXHvgaqHw— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) August 21, 2022
LEEDS LEEDS LEEDS
MARCHING ON TOGETHER pic.twitter.com/0AvuusV3tk— Tyler Adams (@tyler_adams14) August 21, 2022
It’s our game now.
It’s only a matter of time for the Soccer Lombardi to come HOME.Leeds has been my team forever. pic.twitter.com/JjHykuoZfg
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 21, 2022
After the first three weeks of the season, Leeds remains undefeated and sits in the Champions League places, perhaps a touch above where the club would have expected to be. Next week Leeds takes on Brighton away and will be hoping to extend its invincible run of form against the Seagulls.