Brenden Aaronson, a key midfielder for the United States men’s national team, was absent from a recent training session because he chose to attend his wedding to Milana D’Ambra. The ceremony took place on Friday night, and the couple’s families have deep roots in soccer, with Milana’s father, former Philadelphia KiXX star Don D’Ambra, serving as a current coach at Saint Joseph University.
A Wedding Amid World Cup Preparations
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino granted Aaronson permission to miss the session, arranging for him to rejoin the squad on Saturday. The decision reflects the team’s willingness to accommodate personal milestones while maintaining focus on the upcoming World Cup cycle.
During the training camp in Georgia, the rest of the roster plans to watch the wedding live via FaceTime, a gesture that underscores the close‑knit environment of the squad. Teammates such as Mark McKenzie, who has known Aaronson since childhood, expressed excitement about the upcoming celebration.
Aaronson arrives at the camp fresh off a career‑best season with Leeds United in the Premier League, where his performances earned him a spot on the U.S. World Cup roster for the second consecutive tournament. His presence adds depth to a midfield that also includes Gio Reyna, Christian Pulisic and Matt Turner.
The Americans are slated to face Senegal on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte before returning to Fayetteville for additional work at the U.S. Soccer National Training Center. A final friendly against Germany in Chicago will follow, leading into the World Cup opener on June 12 at SoFi Stadium against Paraguay.