In the 17th minute of Real Salt Lake’s match against Atlas on Thursday night, defender Aaron Herrera let fly from 70 yards out and spectacularly scored without the ball bouncing once.
GOLAZO!
AARON HERRERA SCORED FROM 70 YARDS AWAY pic.twitter.com/z3UosHKcks— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 23, 2022
Aaron Herrera caught the keeper sleeping and dropped an ~80-yard (?) bomb right in the bucket for the opener against Atlas. #RSL pic.twitter.com/qkxifAmtoQ
— Caleb Turner (@calebturner23) September 23, 2022
According to head coach Pablo Mastroeni, Herrera had taken the shot in practice earlier this week, causing his coach to nearly lose his temper. Today’s effort definitely makes up for the grief he may have caused his coach.
Pablo Mastroeni’s reaction to Aaron Herrera’s golazo. Says he tried the same shot in training this week…and missed it. #RSL pic.twitter.com/5pjM2LqVNg
— Caleb Turner (@calebturner23) September 23, 2022
There have been many goals scored from half-field or even a bit behind half, but Herrera unleashed his effort from a different area code. Any farther and he would have been in the parking lot. The fact he even tried to shoot from there is unbelievable, never mind the fact that he scored it or even that he did it in training earlier this week too. This could genuinely be Puskás award territory.
¡Goooooooool del @atlasfc!
Los rojinegros encuentran el empate en un rebote en el área y todo está como al principio.1-1 #LeaguesCup | #RSL | #SomosMásRojinegros
EN VIVO
TUDN
https://t.co/xk5vS1Ba1h pic.twitter.com/TKryhDgrF5— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) September 23, 2022
¡Gooooooooool del @atlasfc!
Lucas Rodríguez aprovecha un rebote y pone al bicampeón de México en ventaja.1-2 #LeaguesCup | #RSL | #SomosMásRojinegros
EN VIVO
TUDN
https://t.co/xk5vS1Ba1h pic.twitter.com/8oxewiaidY— TUDN USA (@TUDNUSA) September 23, 2022
Despite the unbelievable goal, RSL went on to lose 2-1 as Atlas scored in both halves through Edgar Zaldivar and Lucas Rodríguez respectively. The match was part of the Leagues Cup Showcase, which is a series of friendly matches between clubs from MLS and Liga MX.