Commerce City, Colo.- Standout Rapids center back, Lucas Herrington, is on the brink of a final 26-man World Cup roster with the Australian National Team.
Following the conclusion of the first-half of the MLS season, the Australian National Team announced the addition of eight more players to the train-on squad in Sarasota, Florida. Herrington is a part of that eight as Australia closes in on the World Cup.
The final 26-man roster is to be announced on Monday, June 1.
Herrington enters camp following a standout first half of the MLS season while in Colorado. Since joining the Rapids in the summer, he’s started nearly every match under first-year head coach Matt Wells.
He’s been included in three Teams of the Matchdays, boasts one of the highest passing percentages in the league, and has been a key figure in Colorado’s backline.
In March, Herrington joined the Australian National team for friendlies. The 18-year-old featured in his national team debut against Cameroon, capping the performance off with a Man of the Match award.
Read More: Rapids International Window Roundup: Lucas Herrington “Buzzing” After Australia Debut
Herrington spoke to Burgundy Wave on the importance of his performance in the March friendlies.
“It was a dream come true to play for the country and I was grateful for the opportunity, and I loved every minute,” Herrington said.
Focusing on club performance, Herrington has been a standout, and he’s put himself into a great position to make the final squad.
Post training in the lead up to the FC Dallas game, Wells spoke to Burgundy Wave on Herrington’s world cup chances.
“It’d be unbelievable for him. He’s a young lad, and I know how passionate he is about his country,” Wells said on Herrington’s inclusion in the March squad.
“I think for him to have a chance at making the squad, it’s about his form at the club level, so all of his focus and our focus is to put him in the best possible place to perform against Dallas,” Wells said.
Herrington spoke on what it would mean to be included in the final roster in the buildup to the FC Dallas match.
“It’s a top squad that proved a lot last World Cup, and hopefully we do that again. I want to do my best every week in the club to have the best chance possible,” Herrington said on his focus leading into the final roster decision.
“It would mean everything to represent my club at the country at a World Cup, it’s been a dream since I was a kid and it’d be awesome.”
Herrington has played every minute of every match this season, all competitions. He signed with Colorado last summer on a pre-contract for a reported $500,000 USD. He turned professional with A-League side Brisbane Roar, making 29 appearances in a season and a half.
SportsBoom has reported multiple Premier League teams are monitoring him. Should he make the World Cup or even make an appearance, the 18-year-old could very well break the club transfer record before the start of the 2027 MLS season.
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Matt Pollard 