'The hardest year of my life' - USMNT's Brenden Aaronson reflects on tough start to life in Germany after rough Leeds spell

The 23-year-old American found the back of the net in the 52nd minute in a win over Werder Bremen, with many dubbing it his 'best performance of the season' since joining on-loan from Leeds United.

Speaking postgame, Aaronson revealed that he has struggled on and off the pitch over the past year, but that Saturday's winner was a moment where he was able to relieve some of the weight off his shoulders.

“It’s been the toughest year of my life,” Aaronson told reporters. “Going from Leeds and then not playing much here, it’s mentally a battle all the time, staying confident.”

Just days earlier, he was snubbed from the USMNT's 23-man CONCACAF Nations League roster, with Gregg Berhalter sharing some kind words for him.

“The message for him was, ‘I know this hurts. I know it’s a setback, but use it,” the coach said. “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.”

However, with a strike of mere luck, he found himself on it days later.

An injury to Luca De La Torre found Aaronson receiving a call from Berhalter Sunday to replace the U.S. midfielder for the upcoming tournament.

It comes after he has struggled for minutes all year in the Bundesliga, and after a rough period with Leeds United where he fell out of favor during the second half of the campaign in the spring of 2023. Now, however, he has an opportunity to make the most of his time back on the international stage - and it's up to him to take it.

Now that he has linked up with the USA for their March camp, he'll be competing for minutes Thursday evening. The USMNT will play Jamaica in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals.