Oakland, Calif.– Colorado Rapids center back Lucas Herrington is headed to the World Cup. On Sunday afternoon (North America time), Australia announced their 26-man roster for the 2026 World Cup. With three caps to his name, the 18-year-old Burgundy Boy made the cut.
“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 told Burgundy Wave.
“It’d be unbelievable for him. He’s a young lad, and I know how passionate he is about his country,” added Rapids head coach Matt Wells.
“It was a dream come true to play for the country and I was grateful for the opportunity, and I loved every minute,” the teenager said after his debut on March 26, a 1-0 win over Cameroon. The teenager played the whole game and was named Man of the Match.
Herrington joined the train-in squad lasts week after finishing up play with Colorado. He made his third ever senior appearance on Saturday night against Mexico at the Rose Bowl. He played 89 minutes and was solid in a back five. The Socceroos lost 1-0. Sunday morning, they announced the final roster. He was one of 10 defenders who made it.
Down Under to Mile High:
The Brisbane native joined the Brisbane Roar academy in 2020, following in the footsteps of his older brother Diesel, who now plays for Central Coast Mariners. Lucas quickly displayed his technical skills in possession, even with his height. He signed a first team deal for the 2024-25 season.
“Lucas is such an exciting talent, his demeanor and his calmness, he’s very intelligent, very articulate and comes from a lovely family,” said then head coach Ruben Zadkovich.
“His awareness and ability to see things probably beyond his years, he’s got such a high ceiling.”
One full season at Roar was enough for the Rapids to sign him on a pre-contract for 2026, for a reported Roar club record fee of $1 million USD. Sources told Burgundy Wave that multiple European clubs tried to sign in this past winter before he even played a preseason game.
Herrington went on to play 29 games for Roar and was a bright spot. They were noticeably better defensively with him in the lineup, though they finished second bottom in those two seasons.
There is still room to improve. For his clubs and country, he’s proven to be good on the ball. But for being listed at 6’4″ (193 cm), he could be more dominant in the air.
He’s been a wonderful surprise in Burgundy.
Herrington showed up as an unknown to the Rapids Community. Some thought he could challenge for minutes this year. Plenty of fans and pundits expected him to spend a year with Rapids 2 in NEXT Pro just getting used to the game in America. Five months later, he’s played a full 17 games and missed just one Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match.
In preseason, he told Wells “I’d just like to get some minutes,” Wells responded that if he treated himself like a starter, he’d train like one. The coaches would then be more likely to see him as a starter, not just a youth player who was happy to be there.
Herrington specifically chose Colorado and MLS because of the chance to play senior football where European opportunities would have been more with the reserve team or on loan. It’s been an excellent career decision.
“I’m really happy with my move so far. I’m glad I made it and I’m loving every minute,” Herrington told Burgundy Wave.
“When I first came (to Colorado), I was just trying to establish myself as a good player and try and get minutes wherever I could. To be given the trust and belief to play every week has been really special. I’ve been grateful for that opportunity.
“Giving me the ability just to play my game, my teammates have given me the confidence and belief to just do me. That support and believe, there’s not really much on me.”
The opening match at Seattle Sounders might be the worst team performance of the season so far. Wells’ playing out of the back looked high risk, no reward. If there was a positive out of that game, it was Herrington being the best on the ball.
“He’s super composed. Super relaxed, on the ball, under pressure. He’s a really good player. He just keeps getting better and better each week,” said veteran teammate Rob Holding.
Herrington’s gone on to have highlight reel moments. He delivered a great assist to Darren Yapi for an equalizing goal against Inter Miami. Lionel Messi went on to have the last laugh in that match. In the next week, he marked Son Heung-min out of the game at LAFC then played against Thomas Müller at Vancouver Whitecaps.
Take away Messi’s golazo, Herrington looked like he belonged in all three of those matches. And that was the week his parents came to visit.
He’s a good 1-v-1 defender as long as he’s not forced into a foot race. He’s physical when needed. He’s calm on the ball and has gravitas. He can slow things down and make the right play, even when pressed. While he’s not regularly dangerous on set pieces, he scored at the home opener. Colorado are a physical team that take lots of bookings. Herrington has just four yellow cards on 14 fouls committed in 15 league matches.
Looking ahead to Herrington’s World Cup and beyond:
Australia are in Group D with the United States, who they played last fall, along with Paraguay and Türkiye. The Socceroos aren’t a betting favorite to make the knockouts. It was similar circumstances in 2022 and they made Argentina sweat in the Round of 16.
They’re still a defensive, counter attacking team. They played a 5-4-1 over the weekend against Mexico. One source suggested that was their dress rehearsal starting lineup for the tournament. Herrington was the left center back in the back five. If that’s Tony Popovic’s plan, Lucas will have plenty of help. Just two of their 10 defenders are listed under 6′. So to the extent that Herrington doesn’t dominate in the air, the team should dominate crosses.
Win one group stage game 1-0 on a smash and grab, limit opponents so the goal difference isn’t bad, they’ll easily be one of the best third place finishers. Regardless of their group stage form, their height and athleticism will make them a tough out.
The roster has lots of versatility. I count six players who’ll primarily be center backs. Herrington is the youngest of that group by four years. Kai Trewin has five caps and Alessandro Circati is on 12. The other central defenders are on more than 25.
Starting an 18-year-old in a World Cup who made his senior debut three months ago seems insane. But it wouldn’t shock me.
I think Herrington plays at some point regardless. If he starts all three group stage games and does well, I’m not sure he finishes the season with the Rapids. A World Cup starter on a key position group, whose biggest strength is the team’s weakness, and he’s 18. That’s a star in the making. $10 million USD and the Rapids can’t say no.
Burgundy Wave looks forward to covering Herrington at the World Cup. Still waiting on whether we’re getting credentialed.
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Eamon Shaw 