USMNT boss Gregg Berhalter sends out strong message to Brenden Aaronson after leaving Union Berlin star out of Nations League squad

USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter announced his final squad for the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League semi-final against Jamaica and the Union Berlin star was not on the list. The manager admitted that the omission will be painful for the 23-year-old but urged him to do his best to get back into the mix.

"With Brenden, we’re looking at, in particular, our midfield — he’s been playing midfield a lot for Union Berlin — we think there’s guys ahead of him right now," he said. "One thing I’ll say on record is that this selection, this group in March is obviously not a permanent group. This is not going to be the group guaranteed moving forward until 2026. That’s an important distinction. Any player, any time, has the opportunity to play their way onto the team. The message for him was: ‘I know this hurts. I know it’s a setback, but use it. Use it to make you stronger, and to keep going and to keep fighting your way through through the obstacles that you have to overcome right now.’ It was a good conversation."

Aaronson has been a big part of the USMNT in recent years, making 38 senior appearances for Berhalter's side and last featuring in both legs of the Nations League quarter-final win against Trinidad & Tobago. He has made played 21 times in the Bundesliga for Union Berlin so far this season, but has started just six of those matches.

Berhalter's team will face Jamaica in the Nations League last four on March 20. Aaronson, meanwhile, will begin preparing for his team's Bundesliga clash against Werder Bremen on March 16.