There will be one American presence at Wembley Stadium later this month.
Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United outlasted West Ham United 4-2 on penalties to seal a spot into the FA Cup semifinals. The two teams played out a 2-2 scoreline through regulation and extra time before Daniel Farke’s men went 4-from-5 from the penalty spot.
It marks Leeds United’s first trip to an FA Cup semifinal in 39 years.
Ao Tanaka propelled the visitors in front after 26 minutes, giving Leeds a 1-0 lead at the London Stadium.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s 75th-minute penalty kick doubled Leeds United’s advantage after Aaronson drew the foul inside of the box. Aaronson had entered the match as a first-half substitute after Anton Stach left with an injury.
However, West Ham would use a late rally to force extra time as Mateus Fernandes trimmed the deficit and Axel Disasi equalized three minutes later.
Leeds United goalkeeper Lucas Perri made two key shootout saves to help the visitors pick up the road win. The Brazilian denied Jarrod Bowen before also repelling Pablo’s effort in the final round.
Aaronson and Leeds United will take on Chelsea in the semifinal round at Wembley on the weekend of April 25-26.
Up next though for the Lilywhites is a trip to Manchester United in Premier League action.
This article has left out that a run by Aaronson on to a long pass nto the West Ham box led to a foul and that led to the penalty kick that put Leeds up by 2. I think in cases like that he should be given an assist.
“Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s 75th-minute penalty kick doubled Leeds United’s advantage after Aaronson drew the foul inside of the box.”
-5th paragraph actually
MWR,
Good for BA but it doesn’t mean much. You are a good penalty taker until you aren’t.
Under Mauricio Pochettino the USMNT has taken eight penalties across all competitions (as of April 2026).
Two penalties during regular play and six penalties in a Gold Cup shootout.
Regular Penalties
• Matko Miljevic (Jan 17, 2025 vs. Venezuela): Missed. He made up for the miss by scoring his first international goal in the same game.
• Malik Tillman (June 29, 2025 vs. Costa Rica): Missed. He later made one in the shootout
2025 Gold Cup Penalty Shootout vs. Costa Rica
The USMNT advanced with a 4–3 victory in a Gold Cup penalty shootout on June 29, 2025. Matt Freese saved three Costa Rican penalties to secure the win.
Tyler Adams (goal), Malik Tillman (goal), Sebastian Berhalter (missed), Alex Freeman (goal), John Tolkin (saved), Damion Downs (goal)
Seba, our “world class” dead ball specialist, blew one over the bar. You’re great until you aren’t, especially with penalties.
Christian Pulisic has taken 10 penalty kicks for the USMNT and has not missed one. He’s not Clint or Landon but you can’t do better than 10 for 10.
He has never participated in a USMNT penalty shootout. He missed the Gold Cup shootout because he wasn’t patriotic enough to play in it if you believe our pundits.
Unpatriotic or not, I expect CP to be designated as our penalty taker if he makes the team.
This article leaves out that Aaronson converted his kick during the penalty phase. I am not always convinced that the USMNT has good penalty takers since Landon and Clint retired.
MWR,
That doesn’t mean much. You are a good penalty taker until you aren’t.
Under Mauricio Pochettino the USMNT has taken eight penalties across all competitions (as of April 2026).
Two penalties during regular play and six penalties in a Gold Cup shootout.
Regular Penalties
• Matko Miljevic (Jan 17, 2025 vs. Venezuela): Missed. He made up for the miss by scoring his first international goal in the same game.
• Malik Tillman (June 29, 2025 vs. Costa Rica): Missed. He later made one in the shootout
2025 Gold Cup Penalty Shootout vs. Costa Rica
The USMNT advanced with a 4–3 victory in a Gold Cup penalty shootout on June 29, 2025. Matt Freese saved three Costa Rican penalties to secure the win.
Tyler Adams (goal), Malik Tillman (goal), Sebastian Berhalter (missed), Alex Freeman (goal), John Tolkin (saved), Damion Downs (goal)
Seba, our “world class” dead ball specialist, blew one over the bar. You’re great until you aren’t, especially with penalties.
Christian Pulisic has taken 10 penalty kicks for the USMNT and has not missed one. He has never participated in a USMNT penalty shootout. He missed the Gold Cup shootout because he wasn’t patriotic enough to play in it.
Unpatriotic or not, I expect him to be designated as our penalty taker if he makes the team.