Weston McKennie made his debut for Leeds United yesterday. However, he was unable to prevent his new side from suffering a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest.
The result leaves Leeds in 17th place in the Premier League. They are just above the relegation zone on goal difference. Despite the loss to Forest, manager Jesse Marsch remains hopeful that his side can turn their season around.
Marsch told Sky Sports, “I feel like we’ve had this feeling a lot: we’ve played quite well, been on top of matches, but we find ways to lose. So it’s a young team, we have to accept there will be mistakes in there. But we have to find ways to become winners, to turn performances into points.
“It feels like it’s moving in the right direction, but it’s not enough. We have to get more out of it.”
Leeds’ American contingent is growing
McKennie is the latest addition from the USA to join Leeds. He arrives with an impressive CV having played for Juventus and Schalke 04. Of course, this job at Elland Road is very different to what he has been used to in Turin. However, he was involved in relegation battles with Schalke and this experience will be massive for him at Leeds this season.
Tyler Adams partners McKennie in midfield for the U.S. men’s national team. They are a crucial part of their country’s side and helped them get to the knockout stages of the World Cup in Qatar. Marsch will be hoping they can play for Leeds as they do for the USMNT.
Attacking midfielder Brenden Aaronson is their other player from America. He was left on the bench today and has just one goal and two assists this season. Leeds will need him to get back to his best as they are now struggling for goals.
Marsch and their assistant head coach Chris Armas are both also from the USA. Armas was part of Ralf Ragnick’s coaching staff at Manchester United last season. Leeds is up against United next, so he will be able to provide the low down on most of their players who he has worked with.
Who are Leeds’ relegation rivals?
Below Leeds in the table are Everton, Bournemouth and Southampton. The Toffees got a massive win at the weekend, with Sean Dyche delivering a new manager bounce for their victory over Arsenal. Bournemouth and Southampton both suffered defeats.
The teams above Leeds all got positive results on the weekend. West Ham United managed a 1-1 draw with Newcastle at St James’ Park, Wolverhampton Wanderers beat Liverpool 3-0 and Leicester City defeated Aston Villa 4-0.
There is still a long way to go until the end of the season and there will be a lot of twists and turns in the race to stay in the division.
Leeds has a tough run of games coming up, starting with two fixtures against their bitter rivals, Manchester United. It is not just down to their American players to get them results but Marsch will come under even more criticism if they do not perform.