Aaron Herrera scores from 80 yards in Real Salt Lake vs. Atlas Leagues Cup match

When you’re 75-80 yards out, why not have a go?

Aaron Herrera decided to make sure the 2022 Leagues Cup Showcase was actually worth remembering.

As Real Salt Lake hosted Liga MX champions Atlas in the latest in a series of dry runs for the 2023 start of the vastly expanded Leagues Cup, Herrera scored an absolutely astounding goal to give the home side the lead.

Seemingly around 80 yards from Atlas’ goal, Herrera received the ball during a spell of patient possession for RSL. You’ve seen this play out a million times: a defensive midfielder shuttling the ball out to the right back while an opposing side in a mid-block shifts its shape a few yards over.

Given Atlas’ shape in the moment, it’s a promising moment to move the ball forward. Maybe a forward or winger checks back, and Herrera can bypass four or five players without much stress. That’s great! Teams love to break lines, and when you can do it with no risk, it means things are going very well.

Except, Herrera — standing roughly in Nevada if our geography is right — noticed something else. Atlas goalkeeper José Hernández was holding a very high line, possibly anticipating a ball over the top for striker Danny Musovski.

With no one pressing him, Herrera stepped up and crushed the ball, pretty clearly shooting despite his position. Based on America First Field’s stated field dimensions of 120 yards x 75 yards, and the grass cut pattern appearing to be in five-yard increments, Herrera was probably around 77 or 78 yards out.

Yet, if anything it looked like Herrera nearly overcooked his effort, as the ball only barely sneaked under the crossbar to give RSL a stunning lead.

Watch Herrera’s incredible long-range goal