Brenden Aaronson is off to an ideal start at Red Bull Salzburg, scoring and assisting during a 6-0 friendly win Saturday against second-division side SK Vorwarts Steyr.
The former Philadelphia Union midfielder, who joined the Austrian Bundesliga leaders for 2021 after a Best XI season in MLS, went 90 minutes in his debut as he further adjusts to life in Europe.
Check out Aaronson’s goal below, as he collected a squared ball in the 52nd minute to make it 2-0. The 20-year-old made no mistake near the penalty-kick spot, smashing his shot past the goalkeeper.
Aaronson, who’s being coached by former CF Montreal and New York Red Bulls manager Jesse Marsch, is laying the groundwork for Salzburg’s league return Jan. 24. They’ll face SC Rheindorf Altach next weekend, plus have a UEFA Europa League Round of 32 series in mid-February against La Liga side Villarreal.
Before heading overseas, the Homegrown talent had seven goals and nine assists in 51games (48 starts) for Philadelphia across two seasons. Aaronson has one goal in two US men’s national team caps as well.
Now, the New Jersey native awaits his official Austrian Bundesliga debut for Salzburg. They completed the Austrian double last year (league and cup), leaving Aaronson with another chance at silverware after helping Philadelphia win the 2020 Supporters’ Shield.
