Jesse Marsch’s influence on USMNT defender Aaron Long
USMNT defender Aaron Long’s experience in Red Bulls has helped him to play a vital role in the National team.
Aaron Long
owes some of his mid-career growth to the German coach
Jesse Marsch
since joining the
New
York Red Bulls
.
Long's former boss Marsch explained how philosophies from across the Atlantic shaped him from USL defender at age-24 to someone linked to Liverpool this past transfer window.
Long has made 105 appearances for the Red Bulls and has appeared in 19 matches for his country.
"He chose to come to us, and trusted us,"
Marsch said Wednesday at the coaching webinar.
"He learned how to play center-half; we taught him our mentality. Now he's captain of the U.S. national team.
"In high-level football you meet way too many 'fixed' mentality people. You want 'growth' mentalities. Those committed to the process. It's incredibly important."
The combination of participating in pressing and the ability to transfer the ball forward to launch the counters have played a crucial part in Long’s development into one of the best defenders in MLS.
“Aaron Long is an important part of our team and we consider him the best defender in MLS,” Red Bulls sporting director Denis Hamlett said in a statement last week. “He is very much part of our plans for the future.”
Long's stock has risen to the point he will likely start alongside John Brooks in the 2022 World Cup qualifying action.
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