The New York Red Bulls’ Aaron Long and Kyle Duncan are two of 22 players currently in Fort Lauderdale training under US. Men’s National Team Head Coach Gregg Berhalter’s watch. The USMNT prepares ahead of their December 9 friendly against El Salvador at Inter Miami CF Stadium.
On Tuesday, Berhalter addressed the media and shared his impressions on Duncan and Long’s presence in a roster, which has 15 players eligible for the 2021 Summer Olympics and nine age 20 and younger.
“When you talk about players that really established themselves this year and had solid seasons he’s certainly one of those guys,” Berhalter said in a video interview with the media Tuesday night.
“I think he had a very good season,” said the USMNT Head Coach. “So, it’s exciting to work with him again. The last time we saw him was in June [2019]. It was over a year and a half ago, so it’ll be nice to see his progress up close.”
Right-back Duncan is looking to get his first cap with the senior side after finishing the 2020 MLS season with three goals and four assists, both career highs.
Long, who finished the 2020 season reaching 100 regular-season starts for the Red Bulls, is one of eight players who appeared in the USMNT’s 1-0 win against Costa Rica on Feb. 1, 2020. Brenden Aaronson, Paul Arriola, Bill Hamid, Sebastian Lletget, Mark McKenzie, Sam Vines and Walker Zimmerman are the others.
“For Aaron, the type of performances that we’re looking for are the playoff game against Columbus,” said Berhalter. “That’s a great example of him being dominant in his position. We know he could do it. He’s done so many times before. So, we’d like to see that game in, game out.”
The Oak Hills, California native currently holds RBNY’s record for goals by a defender with eight.
