The United States of Leeds is still alive following Jesse Marsch firing
Leeds United announced the firing of manager Jesse Marsch after a 1-0 defeat away to Nottingham Forest on Feb. 6. While Marsch’s sacking seemed to only be a matter of time, the Wisconsin native has still set his former side set up for a relegation escape with Americans leading the squad’s charge.
Already with United States captain Tyler Adams and playmaker Brenden Aaronson, Marsch brought in another dynamic American midfielder in Weston McKennie just before his dismissal. Between McKennie, Adams and Aaronson, the youthful trio can be difference-makers for a team fighting relegation.
Marsch also added former U.S. international Chris Armas to his coaching staff last month after recent coaching roles with New York Red Bulls, Toronto FC and Manchester United. With Marsch’s axing, Armas has teamed up with Michael Skubala and Paco Gallardo to lead the club forward as joint caretaker managers.
In the managing trio’s first game in charge, it looked as if Leeds might grab their first league win since November. That changed after conceding twice in the second half against Manchester United to come out of Old Trafford with a 2-2 draw.
Standings and Promising Future
Leeds currently sits 16th with 19 points, just one point clear of 18th-place Everton in the relegation zone.
With four Americans taking up pivotal roles, Leeds still stands a good chance of avoiding the dreaded relegation to the English Championship just three years after their long-awaited Premier League return.
Specifically, for McKennie, who signed on Jan. 30, he will have the opportunity to become more acclimated with the team each and every game. The Juventus loanee got 33 minutes as a substitute in Marsch’s final game and played almost every second of the 2-2 draw with Manchester United.
Adams seems to always be reliable in his deeper-lying role in the midfield while Aaronson could benefit from McKennie’s presence and familiarity. Leeds will certainly benefit from the three American stars, especially if each of them can get a handle on the quickness and physicality of the league.
Outside of league play, Leeds could also make a run at the FA Cup with a fifth-round date away to Fulham scheduled for later this month.
Escaping relegation will not be easy an easy task, but with the talent that Leeds has with a strengthened midfield, they should be able to last another season in England’s top flight.
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