Leeds United States of America have won a game. Thank goodness. Leeds defeated Southampton 1-0 on Saturday in what was a battle between the two teams bottom of the Premier League.
American fans will be pleased with new Spanish manager Javi Garcia. In his first game in charge Garcia started all three American players (Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie and Brenden Aaronson). This was the first time the trio of USMNT players have started for Leeds together.
Chances were few and far between for both sides as Leeds dominated possession. I almost cried tears of joy in the first half when a combination of passes between the Americans nearly led to a goal.
Just outside Southampton’s box Adams found McKennie who one-touch passed it to Aaronson. The Medford Messi would drag his shot just wide.
Aaronson looked much better than some his previous appearances for Leeds. He was recently sent down to play with Leeds’ U-21 team to try and gain some confidence. It paid off.
Nice bit of build up play from Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United.
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) February 25, 2023
McKennie and Adams had solid performances but by no means their greatest showings. Adams had several occasions where he unnecessarily fouled a Southampton player to lose possession for Leeds while McKennie had a couple wayward passes.
Earlier this week soccer pundit Alexi Lalas criticized Adams and McKennie for being too aggressive and getting themselves in trouble. Lalas will be happy to know that both of them avoided getting in the referee’s book on Saturday.
The loanee from Juventus also had several flashes of brilliance with clever backheel passes to open up Southampton’s defense.
He was involved in the build-up to the game’s only goal. You can’t see it in the video, but just now that McKennie had passed it to Crysencio Summerville before this goal happened.
Junior Firpo gets a PIVOTAL goal for Leeds United and they lead Southampton!
As things stand, Leeds are out of the relegation zone.
: @USANetwork #MyPLMorning | #LEESOU pic.twitter.com/UG62fviSgw— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) February 25, 2023
Junior Firpo chose a hell of a time to score his first career Premier League goal. The victory sees Leeds leapfrog Everton to escape the relegation zone by one point.
