Real Salt Lake head coach Pablo Mastroeni has told MLS Soccer that Brenden Aaronson is the potential difference maker for the USMNT at the World Cup, labelling the Leeds United star a top player.
Aaronson, of course, is one of three members of Jesse Marsch’s current squad in Qatar ahead of the tournament.
The United States are certainly something of a wildcard in Group B. Most are tipping England to get through. However, life will not be easy for the Three Lions.
Brenden Aaronson the USMNT’s key man at the World Cup
Certainly, the US boast an extremely talented squad, with several players capable of making a real impact on the world stage.
And ahead of the tournament, a number of figures within MLS were asked to name the player they believe will make a real difference for the squad in the tournament. And for Mastroeni, Aaronson is the man to watch out for.
“He really drives a group forward and is also crafty enough to create and to score goals,” he told MLS Soccer. “I don’t think he’s a sleeper by any stretch. He’s a top player for this team, but if he has a good start to the World Cup, he can be super influential and dictate things.”
Aaronson has made a brilliant start to life at Leeds. Perhaps we could ask for more goals and assists from the 22-year-old. But there is no question that he has established himself as a key figure within the side.
He should have been credited with the opening day winner against Wolves. And he set the tone for that amazing performance against Chelsea by bagging the opening goal.
He appears to be the kind of player that opposition defenders hate facing. Aaronson is relentless, full of energy and so difficult to contain.
It is important that he shines over the coming weeks. He has six goals for his country. And only four players in the squad have found the back of the net more often.
As a Leeds fan first and foremost, it would be brilliant to see him shine in the tournament ahead of the second-half of the season – no matter which opposition he is coming up against.
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