Aaron Herrera Bio
Aaron Joseph Herrera (born 6 June 1997) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for Major League Soccer club D.C. United. Born in the United States, he represents the Guatemala national team after a brief stint with the senior U.S. squad. Standing 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) tall, Herrera is known for his versatility across the back line and his composure in high-pressure matches.
Herrera played three years of college soccer at the University of New Mexico, where he scored 20 goals and tallied 8 assists in 54 appearances. He has previously played for FC Tucson, Real Salt Lake, and CF Montréal before joining D.C. United. Across his club career, he has earned recognition as both a steady defender and a contributor in attack from wide positions.
Early Life and Background
Aaron Joseph Herrera was born on 6 June 1997 in Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States. He was raised in the United States by a Guatemalan father, Diego Herrera, and an American mother, Donni Herrera. Growing up in a bilingual, bicultural household gave him ties to both countries, a background that later shaped his international career path.
From a young age, Herrera gravitated toward soccer in the Southwest, eventually joining the Real Salt Lake Arizona (RSL AZ) youth development system between 2012 and 2015. That pipeline connected him to one of Major League Soccer’s most established academy structures and laid the foundation for his transition to the professional ranks. His time in the RSL AZ setup helped him earn a college opportunity and sharpened the defensive instincts that define his play today.
Path to Soccer
Herrera enrolled at the University of New Mexico in 2015, suiting up for the New Mexico Lobos men’s soccer program through 2017. Over three college seasons, he produced 20 goals and 8 assists across 54 appearances, an unusually productive scoring rate for a defender. His performances in the Mountain West Conference drew attention from professional scouts and helped position him as a top prospect.
During his college years, Herrera also gained senior-level experience with Premier Development League side FC Tucson in 2016 and 2017, balancing collegiate play with a developmental professional environment. The dual pathway allowed him to refine his game against older competition while maintaining his college eligibility. By the end of 2017, his combined college and PDL resume made him a strong candidate for a Major League Soccer Homegrown contract.
Aaron Herrera Career
Early Career (2016–2017)
Herrera’s earliest senior football came in the Premier Development League with FC Tucson, where he featured in 2016 and 2017. Playing for the Arizona-based developmental side gave him regular minutes against professionals and seasoned amateurs, complementing his college schedule with the New Mexico Lobos.
That same period produced one of the defining moments of his youth international journey. In 2017, he was part of the United States U-20 squad that won the CONCACAF U-20 Championship, his first major piece of silverware. The title signaled his readiness for higher-level competition and preceded his move to Major League Soccer.
Real Salt Lake Breakthrough (2018–2022)
On 15 December 2017, Aaron Joseph Herrera signed a Homegrown Player contract with Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer, officially joining the first team for the 2018 season. He also represented the club’s reserve side, Real Monarchs, in the USL Championship that year, splitting time between the two rosters to accelerate his development.
Over five seasons in Utah, Herrera became a fixture in the RSL back line, logging regular appearances and establishing himself as a reliable outside back. He played a role in Real Salt Lake’s competitive seasons in the Western Conference, contributing on both sides of the ball with his crossing and defensive positioning. His consistent performances in Salt Lake made him one of the league’s more dependable young defenders before his departure in late 2022.
CF Montréal Era (2022–2023)
On 21 December 2022, Real Salt Lake traded Aaron Joseph Herrera to CF Montréal in exchange for $500,000 in General Allocation Money, a 2023 international roster spot, Montréal’s 2023 MLS SuperDraft first-round pick, and a sell-on fee. The move gave him a fresh start in the Eastern Conference and a new tactical environment under a different coaching staff.
Herrera adapted quickly in Montréal, bringing energy and experience to the Canadian club’s defensive unit. His stay in Quebec lasted one full season, during which he continued to feature as a starter before the next chapter of his club career unfolded.
D.C. United Era (2024–Present)
On 12 December 2023, D.C. United acquired Aaron Joseph Herrera from CF Montréal in exchange for Brazilian defender Ruan and $500,000 in 2024 General Allocation Money. The trade signaled D.C. United’s intent to strengthen its defensive group with a versatile, battle-tested MLS veteran.
During his maiden season with the club, Herrera was named to the 2024 MLS All-Star Team, a recognition of his immediate impact in the nation’s capital. He continued to be a regular presence in the D.C. United back line, providing width, defensive cover, and set-piece value. On 10 June 2026, D.C. United waived Herrera, bringing his time at the club to a close.
Notable Events and Milestones
Beyond his club achievements, Herrera played a key role in one of Guatemala’s biggest modern results. In the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals against Canada, he completed a crucial goal-line clearance and converted a penalty in the shootout against goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, helping Guatemala advance to the Gold Cup semifinals for the first time since 1996. Earlier in his international journey, he earned one senior cap for the United States in a 7–0 friendly win over Trinidad and Tobago in January 2021 before switching allegiance to Guatemala.
Aaron Herrera Career Wins
Aaron Joseph Herrera’s trophy cabinet is anchored by a continental title at the youth level. He was part of the United States U-20 team that won the 2017 CONCACAF U-20 Championship, a marquee achievement in his developmental path. At the senior club level, his move between three MLS clubs reflects sustained professional demand rather than headline silverware.
United States U-20 Highlights
Herrera featured for the United States U-20s during the 2017 CONCACAF U-20 Championship, contributing to a title-winning campaign. The victory remains one of the most notable achievements of his career and a launching pad toward his Major League Soccer Homegrown contract with Real Salt Lake later that same year.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his youth title, Herrera earned selection to the 2024 MLS All-Star Team during his first season with D.C. United, an individual honor recognizing his strong form. He also played a defining role in Guatemala’s 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal upset of Canada, a performance that cemented his standing with the Guatemalan national team.
Aaron Herrera Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Aaron Joseph Herrera was born to a Guatemalan father, Diego Herrera, and an American mother, Donni Herrera. His dual heritage gave him connections to both the United States and Guatemala, influencing both his upbringing in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and his eventual choice to represent Guatemala at the senior international level.
Personal Life
Herrera grew up in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where he developed as a player before moving through the college and professional ranks. His bicultural background has remained a visible part of his identity, particularly as he transitioned from the U.S. youth system to the Guatemalan senior national team.
2025 Season Performance
Aaron Joseph Herrera’s 2025 campaign was defined as much by international heroics as by his club work with D.C. United. At the club level, he continued to feature regularly in the back line, providing veteran leadership and consistent minutes for a D.C. United side looking to climb the Eastern Conference standings.
His most memorable moment of 2025 came on the international stage with Guatemala. In the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals against Canada, Herrera produced a critical goal-line clearance during play and calmly converted a penalty in the shootout to help Guatemala reach the semifinals for the first time since 1996. The performance underlined his value as a big-match defender and a calm presence in high-stakes moments.
Looking ahead, Herrera’s blend of MLS experience and international form positions him as a key figure for both club and country, with his trajectory shaped by consistent playing time, leadership in the locker room, and the kind of decisive contributions he delivered in the 2025 Gold Cup.