Men's Soccer Alumni Aaron Long Named to Gold Cup's Best XI

RIVERSIDE, Calif.— Following the completion of the 2019 Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Gold Cup, CONCACAF announced the tournament's Best XI, naming UC Riverside Men's Soccer alum, Aaron Long, to the all-tournament team. Long was one of just three members of the United States Men's National Team (USMNT) named, and was the sole defender. USA outscored its opponents 15-2 en route to a 5-0 record and a silver medal before falling to Mexico (1-0) in the final match of this year's CONCACAF Gold Cup.

"The Gold Cup was the first time I really got to play competitively for my country so for me it was just a matter of shaking the nerves off and adapting to that level of competition," Long said. "Playing in the semi-finals and finals of a competitive tournament meant a lot to us and it was a great experience, and being named Best XI was just a testament to our hard work as a team."

Long has experienced a journey that parallels his name. The seven-year pro played for several teams before landing a spot with the New York Red Bulls in 2016. Over the past several years, Long's impact has been undeniable. He took over the starting center-back position for the Red Bulls, earned both a USL (United Soccer League) and Major League Soccer (MLS) Defensive Player of the Year Award, got an MLS All-Star nod, was named to the USMNT, and was even earned the status of US captain in a friendly vs. Panama. 

"Aaron has continued to take the next step, after next step in his career," said Tim Cupello, Head Coach for Men's Soccer at UC Riverside and Long's collegiate coach. "That is a sign of a true professional and someone who never settles on his past accomplishments. He is the only player in the Gold Cup to be selected to the Best XI that played collegiate soccer – what an incredible statement that is for him and our program at UC Riverside. I'm sure if you asked him, he would be humble, but it's been constant commitment to his craft and hard work that has earned him another terrific accolade."

Reflecting on his journey from UCR to MLS to the USMNT, Long humbly credits his work ethic and his team-first mentality to his days as a Highlander. Reflecting on his collegiate program which won the Big West Conference Tournament Championship in 2018, he stated, "I think the underdog mentality that I learned while playing at UCR has always helped me in my journey to where I am now," Long said. "You know we aren't the biggest program in the country, but when you go there you're a Highlander and you you're part of a family. You work together and look out for each other, and I've held on to those lessons I learned there."

The 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament marked another first for Long who on top of earning five starts and a silver medal, also punched in his first two goals for the US, both of which came in the team's landslide win over Trinidad and Tobago. His first would prove to be the game winner as he broke the scoreless tie with a header off a cross in the 41st minute of that match, before adding another goal in the 90th minute on a put back right at the net.

"The first one felt really good, especially because the first goal in a match is often the hardest one to come by," Long said. "It was a pretty incredible moment too since it was right before the half and it broke a 0-0 tie. It is very special to score a goal at the national level."

"I think the goal for [USMNT] right now is to change the way people think about USA Soccer," Long said. "That's the goal for us as players, that we came up with collectively. America isn't perceived as accurately as we would like to be on a global level and we aim to change that by making deep runs in these big tournaments and then in the World Cup."

Men's Soccer Alumni Aaron Long Named to Gold Cup's Best XI

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