From basement soccer to the big stage, brothers Brenden and Paxten Aaronson have been named to the U.S. Men's National Team's (USMNT) roster for the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup. Their journey, filled with dedication and mutual support, showcases their rise through the ranks of professional soccer.
Brenden, 24, and Paxten, 21, honed their skills in the most unconventional of training grounds: their family's basement in Medford, New Jersey. Affectionately known as "The Dungeon" by their father, Rusty, this carpeted space, complete with padded poles and special lighting to protect against errant shots, served as their proving ground. There, they practiced penalties and free kicks, laying the foundation for their future careers. Their mother, Janell Aaronson, reminisced about the basement setup, highlighting the measures taken to ensure the boys' safety as they pursued their passion.
Both Brenden and Paxten climbed through the Philadelphia Union academy system before venturing to Europe after brief stints in Major League Soccer. Brenden made the move at 20, while Paxten followed at 19. Now, they find themselves together again, this time on the international stage, as part of the USMNT Gold Cup roster.
Brenden has already tasted the World Cup experience, having appeared in all four of the U.S.'s matches at the Qatar World Cup three years ago as a substitute. Paxten, on the other hand, is eager to make his World Cup debut when the U.S. co-hosts the tournament next year.
USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino recognizes the distinct qualities each brother brings to the team. "Completely different players," Pochettino noted, emphasizing that "Both in different ways can perform".
Brenden plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Premier League club Leeds United. He has 51 caps and 9 goals for the United States national team. He spent the 2023-2024 season on loan at Union Berlin, but returned to Leeds, contributing nine goals and two assists in 46 matches to help the team secure promotion back to the Premier League. Leeds clinched the English Championship title, with Brenden playing a significant role. He was also named the fans' JD Sports Player of the Month for August 2024.
Paxten, who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger, is currently on loan at FC Utrecht from Eintracht Frankfurt. This past season, he made 37 appearances for Utrecht, scoring nine goals and providing six assists. Prior to joining Utrecht, Paxten had a loan spell with Vitesse. He also represented the U.S. at the 2024 Olympics, scoring twice in four matches.
The Aaronson brothers are among a select group of siblings who have represented the United States on the soccer field. They are the first brothers to share a place on a Gold Cup roster. On June 10th, Janell Aaronson watched her sons become just the fourth pair of brothers to start the same match together for the U.S. national team, the first time since 1979. A joint appearance in the Gold Cup would mark only the second time in USMNT history that brothers have played together in an official competition, the first instance being James and Russell Murphy in 1957.
As the USMNT gears up for the Gold Cup, the Aaronson brothers carry the hopes and dreams of their family, their hometown, and a nation. Their story serves as an inspiration, proving that with hard work and dedication, even a basement can be a launching pad to the biggest stages in soccer.
