HARRISON, N.J. (October 2, 2019) – New York Red Bulls centerback Aaron Long has been called up by the U.S. Men’s National Team for a pair of CONCACAF Nations League matches, U.S. Soccer announced today. Long and the USMNT will face Cuba on October 11 in Washington, D.C. and take on Canada on October 15 in Toronto.
Long will travel to U.S. camp following the Red Bulls’ match in Montreal this Sunday, October 6 on MLS Decision Day presented by AT&T. The Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs begin the weekend of October 19-20, after the international break.
The USMNT kicks off play in the Nations League against Cuba on Oct. 11 at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. Kickoff in the nation's capital is set for 7 p.m. ET, and the match will be broadcast live on FS1 (coverage starting at 6:30 p.m. ET), UniMas and TUDN.
Four days after the opener in D.C., the USA takes on Canada at BMO Field in Toronto (7:30 p.m.; ESPN2, UniMas, TUDN).
Long, an Oak Hills, California, native, continues to be a regular for the USMNT as he will build upon his recent Gold Cup tournament performance. The 26-year-old centerback has made 13 appearances for his country, starting in all 13 and wearing the captain’s armband for two. Most recently, he started both of the team’s September friendlies, a 1-1 draw with Uruguay and a 3-0 loss to Mexico.
Long helped anchor the USMNT’s backline to three clean sheets en route to a runner-up finish in the 2019 Gold Cup. During the Gold Cup stretch, he recorded his first two career goals with the national team in a 6-0 rout of Trinidad and Tobago.
The USA is joined by Canada and Cuba in Group A of the 2019-20 Concacaf Nations League A. Only the winner of the group will advance to the knockout stage. With the participants for the final round of qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup to be determined based on FIFA rankings at the conclusion of this tournament, Nations League’s matches have added significance due to their impact on the rankings.
