SANDY, Utah (Friday, July 27, 2017) – Real Salt Lake DF Aaron Herrera has been added to the MLS Homegrown Team for the 2018 MLS Homegrown Game presented by Energizer®. He joins RSL FW Sebastian Saucedo on the roster, which features some of the league’s most accomplished young stars who will take on the Tigres UANL Under-20 Team in the fifth annual MLS Homegrown Game presented by Energizer® on Tuesday, July 31 at 6:00 p.m. MT at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground.
“We are thrilled that another one of our players is getting recognition for the work they have done this season,” RSL General Manager Craig Waibel said. “Aaron has seen a good progression from our Academy to New Mexico to the U.S. U-20s and now with Real Salt Lake and this opportunity is another that will allow him to grow as a player as he gets exposed to more soccer.”
Herrera is in his first MLS season and made his first MLS start on Saturday in a 2-2 draw with the Colorado Rapids. He was a standout with the RSL Academy for three years, twice reaching the USSDA National Championship. He followed up that success with three seasons at New Mexico, where he totaled seven goals and eight assists in 54 matches, 53 of them as a starter. The right back led the Lobos in scoring during his junior season in 2017 with five goals and five assists. That highlighted a banner year for Herrera after he started in five matches to help the U.S. U-20 National Team win the CONCACAF U-20 Championship for the first time and advance to the quarterfinal round of the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea. He was one of five RSL Academy products to appear for the U.S. in the World Cup, joining DF Danilo Acosta, DF Justen Glad, DF Brooks Lennon and Saucedo.
In previous years, Real Salt Lake has had DF Carlos Salcedo, Acosta, Glad, FW Jordan Allen, DF Phanuel Kavita, Lennon and MF Jose Hernandez named to the roster for the Homegrown Game.
“I’m definitely excited for it. It’s nice to get recognized as an up-and-coming Homegrown,” Herrera said. “Every opportunity like this is one that you have to take full advantage of. It’s an honor to be able to represent your club, your team and your family at an event like this.”
Tickets, starting at $15, may be purchased on Ticketmaster.com and includes entrance to the Special Olympics Unified Sports® All-Star Soccer Match presented by MLS WORKS and ESPN, held immediately prior at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground. Tickets are now available by CLICKING HERE.
One of the many highly anticipated events during the week of events surrounding 2018 MLS All-Star Atlanta, the MLS Homegrown Game presented by Energizer® provides an annual platform in which to showcase MLS’ burgeoning young talent and demonstrate the growth of the League’s youth development system. MLS academies continue to attract and cultivate top-flight prospects and have now produced over 170 Homegrown Players who have signed professional contracts with MLS clubs. Vital to the long-term success of their clubs, Homegrown Players now serve more important and visible roles than ever, with academy products logging a record number of goals, assists, minutes and games played in 2017. Of note, the 94 assists compiled by Homegrown Players in 2017 is more than double the total compared to 2016.
Real Salt Lake faces the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday from Avaya Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. MT with coverage on KMYU, the KSLTV app, KSL.com and ESPN 700.
