Aaron Long: Athlete's Biography

Long's professional journey began in 2014 when he was drafted by the Portland Timbers in the second round (36th overall) of the MLS SuperDraft. His early career involved loans to Sacramento Republic and Orange County Blues before joining Seattle Sounders FC's organization in 2015. The turning point came in 2016 when he signed with New York Red Bulls II, winning the USL Championship and earning USL Defender of the Year honors. This performance earned him promotion to the New York Red Bulls senior team, where he played from 2016 to 2022, with a breakthrough 2018 season that saw him named MLS Defender of the Year while helping the team win the Supporters' Shield. In 2023, Long signed with Los Angeles FC, contributing to their 2024 U.S. Open Cup victory. On the international stage, he debuted for the United States National Team in 2018 and has since captained the team, participated in the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup, and scored his first international goals against Trinidad and Tobago.

Aaron Ray Long (commonly known as Aaron Long) is a professional soccer player born on October 12, 1992, in Oak Hills, California, United States. Standing at 186cm tall, Long currently plays as a center-back for Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer (MLS). He has established himself as one of the premier defenders in American soccer through his performances at both club and international levels.

Throughout his career, Long has accumulated an impressive list of individual and team honors. His individual accolades include USL Defender of the Year (2016), MLS Defender of the Year (2018), MLS All-Star selections (2018, 2022), MLS Best XI (2018), CONCACAF Gold Cup Best XI (2019), and CONCACAF Champions League Best XI (2023). On the team front, he has won the USL Championship (2016), MLS Supporters' Shield (2018), and the U.S. Open Cup (2024). His international career highlights include captaining the United States National Team and being a key contributor to their 2019 Gold Cup campaign.

Aaron Long represents the development pathway for American soccer players, having risen from college soccer through the professional ranks to international recognition. His successful transition from midfielder to elite defender serves as a model for positional versatility in player development. As a national team captain, Long has helped establish credibility for MLS-developed players on the international stage. His consistent performances have contributed to raising the profile of American defenders in global soccer, challenging the perception that the United States primarily produces goalkeepers and attacking players. Through his professional journey across multiple MLS franchises, Long has also helped elevate the standard of defensive play in American domestic soccer.