It was a season of both milestones and obstacles for LAFC defender and captain, Aaron Long. The run-up to the 2025 campaign was a great one for the MLS veteran, who signed a three-year contract to keep him in Los Angeles longer, and was named the team Captain by then Head Coach Steve Cherundolo ahead of the season. Already proven as one of the leaders and stalwarts in the backline, it was nothing short of devastating to see him go down halfway through the season with an achilles injury that would keep him out for the rest of the year.
Today’s match marks 200 regular season @MLS appearances for our captain, Aaron Long 👏 pic.twitter.com/vuCE8DWb0x
— LAFC (@LAFC) May 19, 2025
The big milestone of the season for Long came in May, when he made his 200th regular season MLS appearance. Long had 15 regular season MLS appearances this season, with all 15 being starts going the full 90 in all but three of those matches. He also featured in and started all the team’s FIFA Club World Cup matches as well as the CONCACAF Champions Cup matches. While its his defense that LAFC leans on the most, he did start off the 2025 campaign finding the back of the net with some consistency, scoring three goals, two in Champions Cup play and one in the MLS regular season.
Right place, right time for Aaron Long 👊
Our captain opens the scoring in Miami.#MIAvLAFC 0-1 (0-2 agg)pic.twitter.com/R1SAO8PfeQ
— LAFC (@LAFC) April 10, 2025
Defensively Long showed why he was such a valuable force in the back. He had 16 tackles, won 54 duels (69% win rate), won 34 aerial duels with a whopping 81% win rate, came away with three interceptions, had nine blocked shots, made 47 recoveries, was dribbled past just five times and dispossessed the opponent in the final third one time. All of that with just half a season under his belt. Unfortunately, just as it seemed like the team was starting to break free of their sluggish start to the season, Long suffered an achilles tendon injury that would require surgery and keep him out the remainder of the season.
Aaron Long will miss the remainder of the 2025 season after undergoing successful surgery to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon.
Wishing you a speedy recovery, Aaron 🖤💛
— LAFC (@LAFC) July 15, 2025
As expected, the team hit a bit of a rough patch in the immediate aftermath of the injury, as they looked for the right combination at the back now that one of their best defenders was set to miss the rest of the season. While the team absolutely missed what Long brought in terms of production and the comfort he brought with others knowing he would do his job and then some, what they really seemed to miss was his leadership. The way he was vocal on the pitch, making sure others were in the positions they needed to be in, holding everyone accountable for any mistakes or lapses in play. They missed him being a true Captain, an on-pitch extension of the coach, something they were never really able to replace once he went out with injury. Its a real testament to just how important a player like Aaron Long is to a team, not just someone who does his job on the pitch, but the type of player everyone leans on as a leader. The biggest hope now is that recovery goes well and we see a refreshed and fully fit Long ready to help lead the team in 2026, especially with a new head coach at the helm.
Thoughts on the 2025 season for Aaron Long? Leave us a comment below!
1 Comment
He’s a big part of the team in many ways. I hope to see him this Spring sometime.