"The goal for the group is just to win the trophy," he said. "Two games for us. It's just winning that trophy, it's a good preparation for us because we're playing Switzerland and we're going back over to the states. So that's something that most of us will have to do, and it's good preparation for a World Cup qualifying. The whole main goal of this trip is winning the Nation's League trophy."
The 20-year-old Aaronson has earned three trophies in the past eight months and he's still hungry for more. He helped the Philadelphia Union to the MLS Supporters' Shield in 2020. Following his transfer in January, he then played a major role with Red Bull Salzburg, securing the Austrian Bundesliga crown and Austrian Cup.
"I'm really excited for the group and the guys," he said. "It's just pushing onto the Nation's League and then winning a trophy with this group of guys. That's the biggest thing right now. That's the big focus for everybody here…I'm confident and ready to go and I think the team is too."
For the record, two other USMNT teammates have recorded a double since the start of the new year - Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie (Italian Super Cup, Coppa Italia) and Steffen (English Premier League, English League Cup).
Six teammates have earned some hardware as well - Borussia Dortmund forward Gio Reyna (German DFB-Pokal), Genk defender Mark McKenzie (Belgian Cup), Barcelona defender Sergiño Dest (Spanish Copa del Rey), Club Brugge goalkeeper Ethan Horvath (Belgian League), forward Jordan Siebatcheu (Swiss Super League) and Weah (French Ligue 1).
Two USMNT regulars have some unfinished business this weekend, forcing them to miss the Switzerland encounter.
Either Christian Pulisic or Steffen will walk away with a UEFA Champions League winners medal Saturday. Pulisic and Chelsea will face Steffen and Manchester City in the final at Estádio Do Dragão in Porto, Portugal (3 p.m. ET; Univision, TUDN, CBS, Paramount+).
"When you think about having two Americans now playing in the Champions League final, I get goosebumps thinking about it," Berhalter said. "It's an amazing feeling. We're going to be watching them and rooting them on. We’re proud of both of them."
Regardless which teams prevails, watching a teammate raising the UEFA Champions League trophy in triumph could give USMNT players some more inspiration and motivation to add to their trophy collection.
