South Jersey Native Nets First Goal In First MLS Start With Union

A South Jersey man made his first start for the Philadelphia Union Sunday, and the Major League Soccer (MLS) team picked up its first point of the season.

Brenden Aaronson, 18, of Medford, net his first MLS goal in his first MLS start, as the Union tied reigning MLS Cup champion Atlanta United, 1-1, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta Sunday night.

Aaron opened the second half of the game with a goal in the 47th minute. The midfielder took a pass from Kai Wagner and shot it through an Atlanta defender’s legs. The shot took Atlanta’s goalie, who was moving to the opposite side, off-guard and found the back of the net.

It gave the Union its first lead of the season, a lead which lasted until Ezequiel Barco found the back of the net for Atlanta in the 70th minute. It was only the Union’s second goal of the young season, as they improved to 0-2-1. Atlanta improved to 0-1-2.

Aaronson was playing in place of Marco Fabian, the Union’s high-profile offseason signing who was suspended for Sunday night’s game after acquiring a red card in the second half of last week’s loss at Sporting Kansas City. Aaronson signed with the Union in September 2018, when he was 17, according to the team’s website.

“I’m super grateful for the experience and them having the confidence to put me on the field, Aaronson said in a postgame interview. “ … Walking out I was definitely pale looking at all those people, but it was an awesome experience and I’m never going to forget this moment.”

The Union returns to action at home Saturday night, March 23, when they host the Columbus Crew at Talen Energy Stadium, 7:30 p.m.