Aarón Joseph Herrera (born 6 June 1997) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender. Born in the United States, he represents the Guatemala national team.
Herrera made one appearance for the United States national team, before switching to play for Guatemala.
Early life Born in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Herrera played three years of college soccer at the University of New Mexico between 2015 and 2017, scoring 20 goals and tallying 8 assists in 54 appearances. Club career FC Tucson Herrera also played with Premier Development League side FC Tucson in 2016 and 2017. Real Salt Lake On 15 December 2017, Herrera signed as a Homegrown Player for Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer. CF Montréal On 21 December 2022, Herrera was traded to CF Montréal 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.
D.C. United On 12 December 2023, D.C. United acquired Herrera from CF Montréal in exchange for Brazilian defender Ruan and $500,000 in 2024 General Allocation Money. During his maiden season with the club, Herrera was named to the 2024 MLS All-Star Team. On 1 June 2026, former Real Salt Lake player Jeff Dewsnup sued the club after alleging former teammates, including Herrera, hazed him in the shower and lockeroom. Herrera was waived by D.C. United on 10 June 2026.
International career
United States Internationally, Herrera had represented the United States U20s. In January 2021, Herrera made one appearance for the senior United States in a 7–0 friendly win over Trinidad and Tobago.
He was named to the final 20-player United States under-23 roster for the 2020 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship in March 2021.
Guatemala In June 2023, Herrera was named to Guatemala's preliminary squad ahead of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He made his Guatemala debut on 15 June in a friendly match against Costa Rica.
In the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter finals against Canada, Herrera was a critical player in Guatemala's penalty kicks victory, completing a goal-line clearance and scoring in the penalty shootout against Dayne St. Clair – marking Guatemala's first appearance in the Gold Cup semi-finals since 1996.
Personal life Herrera was born in the United States to a Guatemalan father, Diego Herrera and American mother, Donni Herrera.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsReal Monarchs2018United Soccer League50———50Real Salt Lake2018Major League Soccer16010—302002019320—10203502020200——102102021291——303212022270———270Total12411010901351CF Montréal2023Major League Soccer1902020—230D.C. United2024Major League Soccer3010030—331202526030——290Total561303000621Career total20426060902252
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsUnited States202110Total10Guatemala2023602024602025130202620Total270Career total280
Honours United States U20 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship: 2017
Individual MLS All-Star: 2024
References
External links
Real Salt Lake Player Profile