Brenden Aaronson misses US World Cup training to marry Milana D'Ambra

Brenden Aaronson skipped the United States’ World Cup training session on Friday to marry his longtime girlfriend, Milana D’Ambra, daughter of Saint Joseph’s men’s soccer coach Don D’Ambra. The Leeds United midfielder departed camp after Thursday’s session and is expected to return on Saturday.

Aaronson, 25, is a familiar face in the national team setup, having been part of the 2022 World Cup squad. Mauricio Pochettino named him in this year’s squad earlier this week, with the midfielder expected to play a key role as the co-hosts look to make a deep run in the tournament.

The absence has a precedent in US soccer history. In 2016, Christian Pulisic was allowed to miss training to attend his high school prom before returning for a Copa America fixture.

Aaronson comes from a well-established soccer family in Medford, New Jersey. His brother Paxten plays for MLS side Colorado Rapids, his sister Jaden played at Villanova, and their father Rusty serves as sporting director of Real Futbol Academy.

The United States open their World Cup campaign on 12 June against Paraguay in Inglewood, California, before facing Australia in Seattle a week later. They close out the group stage against Turkey in California on 25 June.

This will be the USA’s 11th World Cup appearance. Despite reaching the round of 16 at the 2010, 2014 and 2022 tournaments — and failing to qualify in 2018 — they have not progressed beyond that stage in the 21st century. Playing on home soil, the squad will be hoping that Aaronson, Pulisic, and others can help them finally break that barrier.