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Former Union homegrowns Brenden, Paxten Aaronson set for Bundesliga showdown

November 2, 2023

Oct 14, 2023; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; United States forward Brenden Aaronson (11) runs after the ball during the second half against the German national team at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

A pair of former Philadelphia Union homegrown players will square off for the first time in their professional careers.

Medford, New Jersey natives Brenden and Paxten Aaronson will meet in the German Bundesliga this weekend as Union Berlin hosts Eintracht Frankfurt in league play. The Aaronson brothers both came through the Union’s academy before embarking on respective European moves.

Brenden, 23, made 54 combined league appearances for the Union over the 2019-20 seasons. He contributed seven goals and nine assists in MLS play, lifting the 2020 Supporters’ Shield under head coach Jim Curtin.

BA scaled e1698950713120 — Oct 28, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Union midfielder Brenden Aaronson (22) dribbles the ball against the Chicago Fire during the second half at Subaru Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Aaronson moved to Austrian giants Red Bulls Salzburg during the 2020-21 campaign and proceeded to win back-to-back league titles and Austrian Cups during his time there.

His success in Austria earned him a move to then-English Premier League side Leeds United for the 2022-23 season. Despite Aaronson’s best efforts, the Lilywhites suffered relegation to the English second-tier.

Aaronson joined Union Berlin on loan this past summer and since has totaled 10 combined appearances for the German club across all competitions. Union Berlin has struggled so far this season, sitting in 15th place and only one point clear of the relegation zone.

On the international level, Aaronson has earned 36 caps to date with the USMNT, scoring eight goals and registering six assists. He has lifted two Concacaf Nations League titles and also featured in the 2022 FIFA World Cup last fall.

PA e1698950698142 — Jan 28, 2023; Carson, California, USA; Columbia defender Juan David Mosquera (left) and USMNT midfielder Paxten Aaronson pursue the ball in the second half at Dignity Health Sports Park. The teams played to a 0-0 tie. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Brenden’s brother Paxten is in his second season with Eintracht Frankfurt after joining from the Union last winter. The 20-year-old attacking midfielder made 40 senior appearances for the Union, scoring four goals and reaching MLS Cup with them in 2022.

A former U.S. Under-20 men’s national team standout, Aaronson made his senior debut for the United States in January 2022.

Aaronson has registered two assists in 16 combined appearances for Eintracht Frankfurt, most recently helping the club advance in the German DFB Pokal competition. Frankfurt sits in seventh place in the Bundesliga, with Aaronson earning more and more opportunities as the season pushes forward.

Union Berlin and Eintracht Frankfurt met three teams last season, with Frankfurt holding the edge 2-1 in head-t0-head play.