5 American players to look out for in MLS 2020

1. Aaron Long, New York Red Bulls

Long battling with Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez while playing for the USMNT

From not playing a single minute in the MLS between 2014 and 2016 to being voted Defender of the Year in 2018, Aaron Long has enjoyed a remarkable rise to the top over the past couple of years. As part of a side that plays with a high press, Long’s ability to defend on the run has helped him distinguish himself from other defenders in the league, as has his great desire to get forward and score from set-pieces.

At 27, the center back has become an integral part of New York Red Bulls as well as the US men’s national team and has earned admiration for his excellent defensive qualities. In fact, he has even been handed the captain’s armband for friendlies against Panama and Costa Rice despite only making his debut for the USMNT in October 2018. Long’s performances on the pitch have attracted interest from several top European clubs, and football fans might even see him turning out on the other side of the Atlantic in the near future!

About the author

Vaibhav is a European and international football journalist who writes post-match articles for Sportskeeda. A post-graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication, he boasts a total experience of 6 years and has worked for reputed websites such as Times Internet and Men's Health India.

Vaibhav's journey as a football fan began after he was left impressed by the fast-paced action and the gripping storylines of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He admires Kaka's elegance and determination, while his favorite manager is Sir Alex Ferguson due to the Scotsman's decision-making, vision and man-management abilities. He is also a passionate Manchester United supporter, and believes that Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland could create a historic rivalry similar to the Ronaldo-Messi one.

Vaibhav always cross-checks his information from a number of trustworthy websites and relies on his creative writing skills to produce compelling content. His exploits in journalism have led him to interviewing Indian footballers Robin Singh and Eugeneson Lyngdoh in his career so far.

Vaibhav’s favorite FIFA World Cup moment is Andres Iniesta's tribute to Daniel Jarque in the final of the 2010 edition. When not writing, he likes to read murder mysteries and watch stand-up comedy.

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Edited by Sai Teja