Photo credit: Colorado Rapids
Fresh off World Cup debut, 18-year-old center back reaches another milestone
Lucas Herrington’s magical summer isn’t over.
The Colorado Rapids’ 18-year-old center back was named to the 2026 MLS All-Star roster on Wednesday. He was one of 13 players picked by host Charlotte FC coach Dean Smith after no Rapids were selected by the fan vote, the results of which were announced last month. At just 18 years and 311 days old, the Australian phenom is among the youngest players ever selected for an MLS All-Star game.
Herrington’s rise has been unimaginable for club and country, and 2026 has been a golden year for the Brisbane native. When he signed a pre-contract for the Rapids a year ago, he was hopeful just to get minutes. Now, he’s got accolades most who play in MLS will never reach.
Among those was a World Cup call-up and two appearances for the Socceroos, both of which were starts in the final group stage game against Paraguay and in a round of 32 loss to Egypt in penalties. Famously, Herrington shot Australia’s pivotal fourth penalty off the bar and missed, and Egypt converted on the next attempt to win.
The majority of the world soccer community came to the teenager’s defense and offered words of encouragement. Sweden legend and Fox Sports World Cup pundit Zlatan Ibrahimović was one of them, telling Herrington indirectly on the postgame broadcast that he is “the best, and don’t listen to the rest,” before making himself available to the youngster for a phone call if he so pleased.
After the match, Herrington used his calling card — maturity and tranquility beyond his years — when facing the media and the whole of Australian soccer fandom.
“I think a lot of people would be wondering why I stepped up,” Herrington said postgame. “The coaching side of the team had my back. They believed in me. I made my penalties during the week. We practiced it. I was confident. … I knew where I wanted to put it. I did my routine and unfortunately, it didn’t go my way.”
For Rapids fans, that calmness in the face of his young career’s first and biggest hurdle comes with no big shock. To see the big picture and stay in the moment is remarkable at such a young age, and it’s part of why he’ll be an All-Star.
For the Rapids this year, he’s played every available minute of 15 MLS matches. He played the entirety of the U.S. Open Cup round of 16 game against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks — in which he scored a shootout spot kick — and the quarterfinal against the San Jose Earthquakes.
He’s been linked to several top clubs overseas, not the least of which is FC Barcelona. Unconfirmed reporting from multiple outlets say the Rapids have rejected an offer from the La Liga giants and could have a price tag of up to $25 million.
The last Rapid to make the All-Star game was Keegan Rosenberry two years ago, when he was chosen as one of coach Wilfried Nancy’s picks. Moïse Bombito, the former Rapid who made it to the World Cup round of 16 with Canada, was a replacement pick in that All-Star game just a few weeks before he was sold to OGC Nice in France.
The All-Star game between MLS and Liga MX’s select players, will be held in Charlotte on July 29.
