HERIMMAN, UTAH (Sunday, January 24, 2021) – Real Salt Lake defender Aaron Herrera has been named to the U.S. National Team roster by Head Coach Gregg Berhalter for its upcoming match against Trinidad and Tobago. The U.S. will meet T&T on Sunday, January 31 at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida (5 p.m. MT, FS1, UniMas, TUDN).
“Aaron continues to establish himself as one of the top players in our league and in the national team pool,” RSL General Manager Elliot Fall said. “We are excited for him to join the full group and look forward to him representing our club and country with pride.”
Herrera, 23, has been with Real Salt Lake as a Homegrown Player since 2018, appearing in 68 matches in his first three seasons as a professional. He has also started in all five RSL playoff matches since 2018. The 2020 Real Salt Lake Defensive Player of the Year led the club with 1,706 minutes played, 49 tackles and 42 dribbles completed and was second on the club with 36 interceptions and nine blocks.
At the U-20 level Herrera helped the United States lift its first CONCACAF U-20 Championship in 2017 and was on the squad that advanced to the quarterfinal round of the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea. He is among 10 players seeking their first cap with the U.S. and 16 who are are age-eligible for the 2021 Concacaf Olympic Qualifying Championship to be played from March 18-30 in Guadalajara, Mexico.
The group was selected from an initial list of 12 senior MNT players and 26 U-23 MNT players that began training on Jan. 9 at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. The team traveled to Orlando on Sunday afternoon.
At the start of a crucial year for the U.S. Men’s National Team that includes the Concacaf Nations League Final Four, the Gold Cup and the start of 2022 World Cup Qualifying, the tilt against the Soca Warriors gives the players an opportunity to stake their claim for spots.
“These last two weeks have been an absolute pleasure. The hard work and determination demonstrated by the entire group confirms that the player pool is headed in the right direction,” Berhalter said. “As we transition to Orlando, we switch gears and focus on competing as we prepare to face Trinidad and Tobago.”
A total of 15 MLS teams are represented, with hometown Orlando City SC contributing a league-high four players. Sixteen players
USMNT DETAILED ROSTED BY POSITION (Club; Caps/Goals):
GOALKEEPERS (3): Matt Freese (Philadelphia Union; 0/0), JT Marcinkowski (San Jose Earthquakes; 0/0), Matt Turner (New England Revolution; 0/0)
DEFENDERS (9): Julian Araujo (LA Galaxy; 1/0), George Bello (Atlanta United FC; 0/0), Kyle Duncan (New York Red Bulls; 1/0), Aaron Herrera (Real Salt Lake; 0/0), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls; 18/3), Mauricio Pineda (Chicago Fire; 0/0), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United FC; 2/0), Sam Vines (Colorado Rapids; 2/0), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC; 13/2)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids; 24/2), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy; 17/4), Benji Michel (Orlando City SC; 0/0), Andrés Perea (Orlando City SC; 0/0), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC; 19/0), Tanner Tessmann (FC Dallas; 0/0), Jackson Yueill (San Jose Earthquakes; 8/0)
FORWARDS (6): Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC/CAN; 115/42), Paul Arriola (D.C. United; 34/6), Daryl Dike (Orlando City SC; 0/0), Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas; 1/0), Jonathan Lewis (Colorado Rapids; 6/0), Chris Mueller (Orlando City SC; 1/2)
