The Leeds United defender scored twice in yesterday’s 5-0 Concacaf Nations League victory over Antigua & Barbuda, continuing Junior Firpo’s purple patch on the international front.
Firpo started on the right wing in Bermuda after making the leap into attacking positions, as his country aims to maintain its undefeated Nations League campaign. Additionally, the Leeds supporter was crucial all game long, contributing to the Dominican Republic’s second goal before putting matters into his own hands later on.
Firpo finished from a more natural position on the left-hand side after his teammate won possession high up with the score at 3-0, but the best was about to come. Following a foul by Kieron Richards, the 28-year-old was awarded a penalty. With the game already decided, he boldly dinked a panenka into the goal, leaving the Antigua & Barbuda goalie inconsolable.
After scoring what he believed to be the game-winning goal at Sunderland last week before Illan Meslier’s added-time mistake allowed the Black Cats to equalize, Firpo now has three goals in two games for both club and country. On Tuesday, the full-back will play against the same opponents as yesterday. Kickoff is set for 6.30 p.m. UK time in Bermuda.
In their first match under Mauricio Pochettino, the USA defeated Panama 2-0 overnight, with Brenden Aaronson playing as well. The Leeds midfielder earned a starting position under his new management and played 78 minutes as the team defeated a Panama team, which was oddly managed by former Whites manager Thomas Christiansen, in Austin thanks to goals from Yunus Musah and Ricardo Pepi.
The US media’s post-match reports on Aaronson are consistent; he was commended for his enthusiasm and work ethic, which Pochettino will like, but he was rated lower in the ratings for occasionally losing his cool. “Usually hectic, sometimes nervous, but ran his shorts off and had some fantastic moments on the dribble and in distribution,” wrote Nicholas Mendola, a writer for NBC Sports, in a perfect summary.
Aaronson’s next game is scheduled for early Wednesday morning in Guadalajara, Mexico, which is just a short drive away. However, since yesterday’s victory over Panama and that encounter with Mexico were friendly games, it’s possible that Pochettino switches up his schedule a lot and the Leeds player will get some rest.
Prior to Sheffield United’s visit to Elland Road on Friday, Firpo and Aaronson are anticipated to be the newest players to return to Thorp Arch. The fact that the two return healthy and appear to have survived yesterday’s game is more crucial than anything else.