The offseason is a vital time for players to rest, recover, and reset, but it is also when the real preparation begins. This period allows players to focus on maximizing fitness levels and building toward another year of competition.
Through our Offseason Check-Ins series, we will be catching up with D.C. United players each week to hear how they are approaching the break, from training plans and personal goals, to life away from the field. Some continue to put in work at the Inova Performance Complex in Leesburg, while others are abroad fine-tuning their fitness ahead of the 2026 MLS season.
This week, we checked in with defender Aaron Herrera, who is staying sharp as Guatemala’s national team prepares for its decisive CONCACAF World Cup qualification matches against Panama and Suriname. Guatemala currently sits third in Group A with five points, trailing both Suriname and Panama by one. These final two matches will determine which nation secures a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Herrera and Guatemala first face off against Panama on Thursday, November 13 at Estadio El Trébol in Guatemala with kickoff set for 9:00 p.m. ET. The two sides tied 1-1 earlier this September in Panama with both goals coming in the first half. Los Chapines then take on Suriname on Tuesday, November 18 at 8:00 p.m. ET again in front of the Guatemala faithful at Estadio El Trébol in the last match of the CONCACAF World Cup qualification round. Both matches can be streamed live on Paramount+.
A 2024 MLS All-Star, Herrera led D.C. United this past season in successful crosses (41), corner kicks (58), and was tied for the team lead in assists (4) across 26 appearances. Now entering his ninth MLS season and third with the club, he shared how he is using the offseason to recover, stay sharp, and prepare for another big year ahead.
You’re a week away from some huge World Cup qualifiers with Guatemala, tell us about the upcoming matches and what Guatemala needs to do in order to qualify for the World Cup?
“Long story short, we are two wins away from going to Guatemala’s first ever World Cup. There are a couple of other scenarios where we maybe get in with a tie and a win, depending on some other results, but two wins and we are in. That’s our goal; to get automatically in with two wins. Two tough matches coming up with Panama and Suriname, but both are at home which is a huge plus for us.”
With the team being off, how do you keep yourself sharp ahead of these qualifiers?
“I’ve been training daily on my own, going to the gym, just trying to train as much as possible. You know, it’s difficult with the team not training everyday but I’ve been going into the facility, working on the ball, running, and doing everything I can on my own before going to Guatemala. I’m heading over there quite a bit earlier than I normally would just to be able to train with the team, have access to the facilities there, and talk to the coaches. Being able to train with the [Guatemala] team and other guys is much better than training by myself.”
Where will you be spending your offseason and why is that the location you chose?
“I'll be in with Guatemala for the qualifiers, then come back here to D.C. My wife and I will be here for a few weeks and then we’re going to go to Arizona for Christmas and the Holidays. I have a lot of family there so it will be great to see everybody and spend some time with them. After Arizona, my wife and I will be taking a trip somewhere for New Years and then back to D.C. It’s quite a bit of traveling but it's important to see family and spend time with them.”
Tell us your plans for the offseason and what you’re doing from a training standpoint as well as what you’re doing in your personal life
“From a training standpoint, just trying to get on the ball and train as much as I can on my own before going to play with Guatemala. I want to stay sharp and prepare as much as I can for next season. In terms of personal life, we are expecting a baby, so we have been getting everything ready. Once we are home, we will have a baby shower, which is great, and then spend Christmas in Arizona with some family, followed by Hawaii or somewhere. We will see.”
You’re newly married with a child on the way; how does that affect your offseason, and how will this one be different?
“Nothing changes in terms of offseason training; still training normally and just getting ready for next season. Obviously, I’m excited for next year for being a dad and getting a fresh start with our new coach so yeah as far as offseason goes, keep training and being ready for the 2026 season.”
What are your goals for the 2026 season?
“My goals are goals bro; I want to score some goals. I definitely want to get back to the form I was in before. Two years ago, I was able to make the MLS All-Star team, and I think that’s definitely a goal of mine every year but bigger than that are the team goals. I haven’t won anything professionally. I haven’t won any trophies yet, so I think that’s the big goal of mine. Obviously, making the playoffs would be the first step. We need to be a team that not only knows we can make the playoffs but also a team that knows we can compete in the playoffs. We want to get D.C. United back to being a top team in this league, and hopefully we are able to put all the pieces together next year to get that done.
