Leeds United forward Brenden Aaronson is among the USMNT's most influential players.

That is according to Real Salt Lake head coach Pablo Mastroeni, who believes the Leeds playmaker can help the United States to progress to the knockout rounds of the World Cup.

Aaronson and his young teammates face a tough task, as they take on England, Iran, and Wales in their group.

“He really drives a group forward and is also crafty enough to create and to score goals," Mastroeni told MLSsoccer.com.

“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."