HARRISON, N.J. (March 17, 2022) – The New York Red Bulls captain Aaron Long was selected to the United States Men’s National Team roster for three World Cup Qualifying matches, U.S. Soccer announced today. Long earns his first call up since March of 2021 and first since his Achilles injury on May 15, 2021.
Long and the USMNT conclude their World Cup qualifiers at Mexico, versus Panama and at Costa Rica. The schedule begins on Wednesday, March 24 against Mexico at Estadio Azteca (10 p.m.) then return to home soil on Sunday, March 27 versus Panama at Exploria Stadium (Orlando, Fla.) at 6:30 p.m. and then wrap up against Costa Rica at Estadio Nacional on Wednesday, March 30 (9:05 p.m.)
Long is set to make his official return to the national team for the first time since the March camp against Jamaica (March 25) and Northern Ireland (March 28). The Oak Hills, California, native did returned to the national team during the November World Cup Qualifiers, but not officially on the team’s roster. Long has amassed 21 caps for the U.S. with three goals, two assists and anchoring a backline to 10 cleansheets in 1,713 minutes played. He has donned the captain’s armband in five matches, all of which have been shutouts.
With three matches remaining, the USMNT sits in second place in the Octagonal standings with 21 points and a 6-2-3 record. The top three teams in the group earn automatic qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
